Excalibur (1981)
Excalibur (1981)
Excalibur (1981)
by
Final Draft
FADE IN:
Two crazed eyes reflect the fire. The eyes belong to a man
without age, at once ancient and boyish, female and male;
his eyes are pained from the burden of too much knowledge.
So close is he to the flames that a lock of his wild hair
sizzles alight. He slaps at the fire as if it were an
annoying insect. He wears a cloak of black trimmed with
silver. It is Merlin. The wizard weaves a path through the
burning forest, dodging the combatants, searching.
MERLIN
Lord Uther! Lord Uther!
The forest around him weeps softly with the sounds that
follow slaughter. Patches of undergrowth are smoldering.
Small flames lick bark and branches.
Smoke floats through the trees and hovers over the bodies
of the dying and the dead.
A huge knight reins up beside Merlin on a lathered horse.
His armor is blood spattered. He is weary from battle. He
looks down at Merlin, his countenance fierce. The blade of
his sword glows with an unnatural aura.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
It’s done. A truce. We meet at
the river.
UTHER
(disgusted)
Talk. Lovers murmuring to each
other...
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 2.
DUKE OF CORNWALL
I spit on your truce, Uther. If
you want peace, throw down your
swords.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
(waxing eloquent)
Behold the sword of power,
Excalibur. Before Uther, it
belonged to Lud, before Lud, to
Beowulf, before Beowulf to Baldur
the Good, before Baldur to Thor
himself and that was when the
world was young and there were
more than seven colors in the
rainbow.
(and in an aside to Uther)
Speak the words.
UTHER
(bellowing)
One land, one king! That is my
peace!
The Duke of Cornwall looks around nervously as some of his
knights fall to their knees in awe.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 3.
DUKE OF CORNWALL
Lord Uther, if I yield to the
sword of power, what will you
yield?
UTHER
Me, yield!?
Merlin urges Uther hard.
MERLIN
(a whisper)
He has given. Now you must.
The two knights glare at each other, rage contending with
anger.
UTHER
The land from here to the sea is
yours if you will enforce the
King’s will.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 4.
LOT
What? You’re mad! What about the
alliance?
UTHER
(oblivious)
I must have her.
LOT
And risk all you’ve won? This
castle commands the sea gate to
the kingdom.
Uther is not one for politics, and Lot’s words sail past
him. The King lusts for Igrayne.
A bell is struck not far away. The music ceases and the
hall falls silent. The great door creaks open, revealing
the dawn light, and a monk steps into the hall and waits
by it. Muffled by corridors of stone, a choir of monks can
now be heard singing the high, ecstatic harmonies of the
Te Deum. Those who have fallen asleep at the table are
roused, those drunk, helped up.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 5.
UTHER
You will be mine. Wife and queen,
bed and crown.
UTHER (SEGUE)
Have you found him?
ULFIUS
No--
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 6.
HAG
What a hurry you were in this
morning, good sir. You forgot to
give this old woman a coin.
ULFIUS
I saw you half a day’s gallop
from here. I asked you if you had
seen Merlin. I returned here
straight away. How did -
HAG
--I heard. I have come. I am also
Merlin.
The figure straightens, the filthy rags become a flowing
cape, and the hair is swept back by the wind, andóit is
Merlin, laughing.
MERLIN
I have walked my way since the
beginning of time. Sometimes I
give, sometimes I take. It is
mine to know which, and when.
UTHER
(exploding)
Dumb riddles, Merlin. I am your
King.
Ulfius edges away.
MERLIN
I know the storm inside you, and
what it has wrought. The alliance
I forged is wrecked.
The Duke of Cornwall under siege. All this for lust.
Selfish lust.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 7.
UTHER
I swear it. By Excalibur and the
holy--
MERLIN
--What issues from your lust will
be mine. Swear it again.
UTHER
I swear it.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 8.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
I hold the balance of all things
in my summoning. Arise mists.
Come fog.
Uther spurs straight for the edge of the cliff, then reins
in his horse abruptly.
UTHER
But the cliff, the sea...
The real Duke and his men ride through the fogbound camp,
cutting the ropes of the tents, stabbing the men trapped
beneath the canvas. When a frightened crow flies squawking
into the face of the Duke’s horse, which rears. He is
unhorsed and falls, and impales himself on a tent stake.
IGRAYNE
Look, here is your father. It was
just a dream, little one.
’DUKE’ OF CORNWALL
Come Igrayne.
IGRAYNE
When did it happen? Where?
LIEUTENANT
In the camp of Uther, my lady,
just after nightfall.
IGRAYNE
It can’t be. He came to me, to
his bed, last night.
LADY
It was his spirit, yearning for
you in his hour of death, that
visited you.
IGRAYNE
His spirit?
Pale with grief, Igrayne stares at her dead husband in
silence.
Then her hand drifts to her stomach. When she talks again,
undone and resolved, it is to all and herself:
IGRAYNE (SEGUE)
Tintagel Castle falls to Uther.
But what shall become of me, and
the child I bear?
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 13.
IGRAYNE
A boy, sir. Rest yourself.
Uther waves away her words but does sit down on the bed,
exhausted. He notices Morgana, who stares at him.
UTHER
Send the girl away.
IGRAYNE
She is just a child -
UTHER
Out!
Igrayne draws the child to her and kisses her cheek.
IGRAYNE
(whispering)
Go now. Come back later.
The child leaves silently, hatred in her eyes.
UTHER
She watches me with her father’s
eyes.
He grasps the newborn baby with his iron hand, and pulls
it to himself. He looks upon it with wonder, with a
gentleness that is unexpected.
UTHER (SEGUE)
Igrayne, is he mine, or -
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 14.
UTHER (SEGUE)
Here. It’s hungry.
And his free hand opens her shift, and he holds a swollen
breast in his gloved hand, squeezing gently. Milk bubbles
from it and he thrusts the baby’s mouth onto it.
MERLIN
Doing what I did for you, it
wasn’t easy, you know. It takes
it’s toll. It took nine moons to
get back my strength.
UTHER
I?
MERLIN
The child is mine, Uther. I have
come for him.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (4) 15.
UTHER
The oath. You didn’t say--
MERLIN
You didn’t ask!
IGRAYNE
Uther, is it true? Don’t let him
take the child.
UTHER
I swore an oath, Igrayne. I made
a pact with Merlin.
Igrayne suddenly understands. She glares at Uther.
IGRAYNE
It was you? You came to me that
night. You are the father.
Uther is caught, and turns to Merlin who is harsh and
unswaying.
MERLIN
It’s not for you, Uther, hearth
and home, wife and child.
UTHER
To kill and be king, is that all?
MERLIN
Maybe not even that, Uther. I
thought once that you were the
one to unite the land under one
sword. But it’ll take another, a
greater king...
UTHER
You strike me with words as hard
as steel.
MERLIN
They are not weapons, my friend,
but truths. You betrayed the
Duke, stole his wife and took his
castle, now no one trusts you.
Lot, Uryens, your allies will
turn against you. Give me the
child, Uther, I will protect him.
Go back to your war tent.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (5) 16.
IGRAYNE
WHY?... Why must he have the
baby?
Uther stops her with his bulk and she claws savagely at
his chest to get past him. He weeps as he folds his arms
around her.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 17.
Ulfius and his men stand their ground so the King may
escape the onslaught. They are hacked down.
Uther flees alone, severing the limbs of any man and tree
that stands in his way.
MERLIN
Into the spine of the dragon!
(and then he is saddened)
Uther... I loved you, mighty
child.
18.
LEGEND APPEARS:
"Fifteen years passed and the land was without a king."
FADE IN:
ARTHUR
I left it in the tent, sir.
SIR ECTOR
Well hurry then, and get it.
21.
The boy dashes off as Sir Ector shakes his head, not
without affection beneath the sternness.
ARTHUR
It’s been stolen....
SIR KAY
Father, I’ll go and see what’s
keeping him.
ARTHUR
If only Kay could have it...
He smiles, forgetting his troubles, a boy again living in
a fairy tale. He grasps the sword by the hilt and it comes
away easily from its stone lock.
Not expecting it to, he nearly falls. He stares at it,
terribly excited and surprised: he tucks it under his arm
and rushes back.
22.
ARTHUR
(breathless)
Your sword was stolen, Kay, but
here is Excalibur. Is it too
late? I hurried--
Kay, with Arthur in tow, rushes to Sir Ector and shows him
the sword; he trembles with excitement.
SIR KAY
Look, Father. Excalibur. Does
that mean that I am to be king?
Sir Ector is dumbstruck.
SIR ECTOR
Did you free the sword, boy?
SIR KAY
I... did, Father.
Ector looks at his son amazed, wanting to believe but not
able to.
SIR ECTOR
We must go to the stone at once.
With Excalibur in hand Ector of Morven heads for the
stone, Kay following, and Arthur too, the boy flushed with
excitement but a little worried, not understanding what is
happening.
The exchange between Sir Ector and Sir Kay has been
overheard. Some have seen the sword in Sir Ector’s hand.
Rumor spreads like wildfire.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 23.
SIR ECTOR
Draw it, son!
Sir Kay grabs the hilt and pulls without conviction, and
the sword doesn’t give. Eyes downcast, he lets go.
SIR KAY
Sir, I didn’t draw the sword.
Arthur gave it to me.
SIR ECTOR
Arthur ?!
(spinning around to face
him)
How did you get the sword, child?
ARTHUR
(frightened)
Sir... Kay needed a sword. His
was stolen. I saw Excalibur,
and... I took it.
SIR ECTOR
You freed it, son?
ARTHUR
I did, Father. I beg your
forgiveness.
He starts to kneel but Ector pulls him up.
SIR ECTOR
Try the sword, Arthur.
Arthur is about to grasp the hilt when Uryens and Lot, and
other nobles, Leondegrance of Camelyarde, and Sir Caradoc
and Sir Turquine among the younger, stride up.
URYENS
Stand back, Sir Ector, and take
your children.
LOT
We will try again.
SIR ECTOR
Let the boy try the sword.
BISHOP
Let the boy try...
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 24.
SIR ECTOR
Go ahead, boy. Don’t be afraid.
The boy hesitates shyly, and then takes the hilt of
Excalibur and pulls out the sword with a great sweep.
BISHOP
We have our King, thanks be to
God.
The commoners and some of the knights react with roaring
enthusiasm. The others draw closer to Uryens and Lot and
their supporters, closing ranks around them.
ARTHUR
Please, Father, rise up. I was
your son before I became your
King... if I am King.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (4) 25.
ARTHUR
Who is Merlin?
MERLIN
Speak of the devil!...
From out of the forest strides Merlin, dramatic, cape
flowing, eyes crazed as ever, laughing at his own
entrance. A crow is perched on his shoulder, and it
squawks loudly. Annoyed with it, Merlin swooshes it away.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
I am Merlin. Counselor to kings.
Wizard and beggar. Prophet and...
(he drops it)
I have feasted on thunderbolts, I
savored my death before I got
myself born. I--
Merlin interrupts himself when his eyes fall on the boy,
who is taking in his performance raptly, half awestruck,
half amused.
ARTHUR
Whose son am I?
MERLIN
You are the son of King Uther,
and the fair Igrayne... you are
King Arthur.
The suspicion and confusion and envy of the lords erupts.
LOT
Merlin, we haven’t forgotten you.
This is more of your trickery.
URYENS
You’re trying to foist a boy of
dubious birth upon us. You want
to shame us?
LOT
Lord Leondegrance, join us
against the boy. Surely you can
see he is only Merlin’s tool.
LEONDEGRANCE
No. I, Leondegrance, Lord of
Camelyarde, saw the drawing of
Uther’s sword, and witnessed no
trickery. If a boy has been
chosen, a boy shall be king.
The crowd of serfs and peasants cheer wildly, and their
long suppressed anger against the nobles comes to the
fore. They dare to press up against them, fists hammering
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (5) 26.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 27.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
Merlin!
A huge eye opens in the foreground of what had appeared to
be shadow, bark and tufts of weeds is really Merlin’s
head.
MERLIN
You called, sir?
ARTHUR
I want to thank you.
MERLIN
That’s not why you came.
MERLIN
(irritated)
’Help me, Help me.’ Help me get
up.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 28.
ARTHUR
(pressing)
Yes, yes, I know that. Everybody
does. Lord Leondegrance is my
only ally among the barons and
the great knights. I can’t lose
him.
MERLIN
Well there. You don’t need me
half as much as you think you do.
You already know what must not
happen.
ARTHUR
(exasperated)
I must find the means to save
him, then. I was hoping I could
ask you for a little magic help,
but if it makes you so tired...
MERLIN
Thank you.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (4) 29.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
Maybe you’d like to meet the
power that gave you the sword?
MERLIN (SEGUE)
...It unfolds itself in the storm
clouds...
A terrific wave batters a coastline, spray shooting up,
and as the wave recedes it exposes dark rocks and deep
crevices.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
...it washes its mane sparkling
white in the blackness of
seething whirlpools...
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 30.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
...its voice is heard in the
hurricane...
Arthur is awestruck.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 31.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 32.
ARTHUR
Let’s finish this with a show of
force. We have no more tricks and
no more advantages.
Guenevere watches...
GUENEVERE
No...
...and when she can’t watch any longer, she buries her
face in her hands.
Uryens and Lot are standing in the moat among the bodies
of their men, are reduced to eleven knights, all wounded.
Arthur is flanked by twenty men at arms, most of them
wounded, and trembling now beyond exhaustion with blood
lust. Arthur steps forward alone, and addresses his
opponents.
ARTHUR
You are in my hands, to slay or
spare. I need battle lords such
as you. Swear faith to me and you
shall have mercy.
URYENS
Noble knights swear faith to a
mere squire?
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 33.
ARTHUR
You are right. I’m not yet a
knight.
(gaining strength)
You, Uryens, will knight me.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 34.
ARTHUR
That duty I will solemnly obey as
knight and King.
ARTHUR
Owww...
With water from the spring, she is bathing a large cut on
his chest that has been stitched closed. Wounds on his
arms, and one on a calf also show evidence of her neat
sewing. She’s just finishing, and she dabs his chest with
a dry cloth.
GUENEVERE
It didn’t hurt too much, did it?
ARTHUR
Ye...
GUENEVERE
--I’m pretty good at stitchery.
I’ve sewn my father’s wounds more
than once.
He starts to get up.
GUENEVERE (SEGUE)
Careful! You’ll have to stay
still for a few days or you’ll
tear them open.
Arthur shivers at the thought.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 35.
ARTHUR
But I have to leave tomorrow. The
forests are thick with rebels,
invaders plunder our shores...
GUENEVERE
--And damsels in besieged castles
are waiting to be rescued?
ARTHUR
I didn’t know Leondegrance had a
daughter.
GUENEVERE
Well, then, I shall tell you
which knights have maiden
daughters, so you can avoid their
castles.
Arthur smiles at her, enjoying her jealousy, and it
irritates her a little.
GUENEVERE (SEGUE)
No, I think it’s better if you
just stay here to heal. At least
a week.
ARTHUR
I’m going.
GUENEVERE
Quiet, or I’ll sew up your mouth
too.
She puts her arms around him, drawing him close again,
speaking in a half-whisper.
GUENEVERE (SEGUE)
It’s just a furry little rabbit
that took the bait and sprung the
trap.
They smile at each other, about to kiss. As they come
closer:
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 36.
GUENEVERE (SEGUE)
You’ll find him served up to you
tonight, cooked in a most
excellent sauce...
ARTHUR
...of course...
Only then does he realize that Merlin has understood
everything. He is annoyed at being so transparent.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
I love her. If she would be my
queen, my dreams would be
answered.
MERLIN
(mischievous)
There are maidens as fair, and
fairer than Guenevere. If I put
my mind to it, I could see them
now, many of them, weeping for
love of you, watching the hills
for you coming from the high
towers of their castles. Offering
you their every favor. Rich,
clever--but if it is to be
Guenevere, so be it.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 37.
MERLIN
Guenevere. And a beloved friend
who will betray you.
ARTHUR
(smiling)
Guenevere...
MERLIN
You’re not listening. Your heart
is not. Love is deaf as well as
blind.
Guenevere approaches, smiling and coquettish. She slaps
her hands, and a servant sets down a tray of pastries
before Arthur.
GUENEVERE
They are only for you, for in
them I mixed things that heal,
but not too quickly; and things
that make limbs sleepy,
preventing escape, but keep one’s
mind sharp.
She smiles at Arthur’s embarrassment and confusion.
ARTHUR
What’s in them?
She takes a cake and bites into it.
GUENEVERE
It is an ancient mixture,
containing only soft, unborn
grains, and flavored with roses.
The rest is secret.
Guenevere offers one to Arthur, and he hesitates, looking
at it.
MERLIN
Looking at the cake is like
looking at the future. Until you
have savored its bitterness and
its sweetness, its texture and
its perfume, what do you really
know? And then, of course, it
will he too late.
Arthur bites into the cake, and Guenevere looks deep into
his eyes.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
Too late...
FADE OUT:
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 38.
A LEGEND APPEARS:
"...but for years war kept Arthur from thoughts of
marriage."
FADE IN:
SIR ECTOR
He is the mightiest and fairest
of knights.
ARTHUR
We fought and won battles, and
now one man defeats all my
knights? I will go.
He pushes past the knights and goes to his horse. Kay
steps in front of him.
SIR KAY
A king must not engage in single
contest. I’ll go again.
Arthur rises into the saddle and takes a jousting spear
from the rack.
ARTHUR
Where is Merlin?
The squires are silent.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 40.
LANCELOT
I will not. You must retreat or
prove your kingship in the test
of arms, under the eyes of God.
He crosses himself.
ARTHUR
Then may He give me the strength
to unhorse you and send you with
one blow back across the sea.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 41.
Arthur grabs the spear from the page’s hands, and circles
back to work the horse up into an all-out gallop. Lancelot
spurs forward to meet him. Arthur is neatly unhorsed. He
picks himself up from the ground in a rage, drawing
Excalibur. Lancelot on his horse weaves circles around
him.
LANCELOT (SEGUE)
Yield. I have the advantage.
ARTHUR
I will not.
LANCELOT (SEGUE)
the death against a knight who is
not your enemy, for a length of
road you can ride around.
ARTHUR
So be it, to the death.
LANCELOT
It is you, sir, who knows not the
virtue of humility, as a true
king must.
Arthur goes forward attacking with terrible blows upon
Lancelot’s shield, and Lancelot holds his ground, shield
high. And in its mirror-like metal Arthur can see his own
reflection, a face distorted by uncontrolled passion.
Arthur discards his own shield, grabs Excalibur with both
hands, and with a frightening shout that speaks of all his
rage, he swings a terrific blow upon the shield, cutting
through his own reflection and the metal. And Excalibur
snaps in two.
A blinding blue-green light explodes from the broken
sword. Lancelot, knocked back by the force of the blow, is
stunned by the blast and falls to the ground unconscious.
Arthur backs away, horrified, half of Excalibur in his
hand.
ARTHUR
What horror is this?
(calling)
Merlin!
Merlin approaches, pale, gripped by dread.
MERLIN
The sword is broken. Hope is
broken...
Arthur picks up the broken blade, utterly undone.
ARTHUR
My pride broke it, my rage broke
it... Humiliation and defeat lie
in ambush even for a king.
(looking at Lancelot)
This excellent knight who fought
with fairness and grace was meant
to win. With Excalibur, I tried
to change that verdict.
Merlin stands there, drawn, defeated, his hopes dead.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (5) 43.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
I have lost for all time the
ancient sword of my fathers whose
power was meant to unite all men,
to serve the vanity of a single
man.
Despairing, he flings the two parts of Excalibur into the
pool. He kneels at the waters edge, and he cries.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
I am nothing.
Then Arthur sees something that startles him. Beneath the
surface, suspended in the blue-green water amid the
dancing weeds, he sees Excalibur, intact.
MERLIN
The Lady of the Lake. Take it.
Take it, quickly!
Arthur dips his hand under the water and grasps the hilt
and the moment he does the vision in the blue-green water
fades. He rises with Excalibur in hand, and Merlin speaks
before Arthur can ask the question.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
There are infinite worlds within
the infinite coils of the Dragon.
In one of them, which I have not
traveled, the sword was forged. I
only know that the King is
returned to us through the
instrument of his power. The game
continues!
And he laughs.
Just then Lancelot stirs. Arthur rushes to his side. He
loosens his helmet and removes it, uncovering damp curls.
The young knight’s eyes open, and his laughing charm once
more animates his face.
ARTHUR
Thanks to God, you are alive.
LANCELOT
(sitting up)
I, the best knight in the world,
bested! This is a great day, for
my search is over. I love you, my
King.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (6) 44.
LANCELOT
Then make me your champion and I
will always fight in your place.
ARTHUR
But your life and lands are far
from here.
LANCELOT
I gave up my castles and my
lands!
LANCELOT
In the name of Jesus Christ and
His holy blood, I swear eternal
faith to Arthur, King.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 45.
KNIGHT
...We killed every one of them.
Burnt their ship...
Arthur sees Lancelot in the throng and moves toward him.
Merlin follows Arthur and is pushed and knocked around in
the crush of spikes and iron. The only unarmored man in
the crowd, he glares at the excited knights irritably.
ARTHUR
Lancelot, how did you fare in the
North?
LANCELOT
We spared the lives of a few, so
they could sail home and tell
their fellows what fate they met
at the hands of King Arthur’s
knights...
Arthur turns toward Uryens.
ARTHUR
And you, Uryens?
URYENS
Victory!
ARTHUR
Lot, and you?
LOT
We drove the invaders into the
sea.
ARTHUR
You, Gawain, the East?
GAWAIN
The East is ours again.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 46.
KNIGHT
Let me through. I fought the
King’s battle too. He must know
my story.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (4) 47.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
And I will marry.
Another bout of cheers goes up, and Arthur stops before
Leondegrance, resting his hand on the old knight’s
shoulder.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
And the land will have an heir to
wield Excalibur.
LANCELOT
I swear never to rest twice on
the same pillow till all men live
at peace.
KNIGHT
Good day, sir.
LANCELOT
Good day to you.
With a shout the knight and his men draw their swords and
rush Lancelot. He reins in his horse, causing it to rear
and break their attack. He slides off, falling on his feet
with sword drawn, already fighting. In an extraordinary
show of sword play he cuts down six men.
49.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 50.
LANCELOT
Only give me leave to ride out
again, to do what I am most able
to do, and happiest doing.
ARTHUR
...to ride out and meet them.
He rises. Lancelot, who was about to sit again,
straightens.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
I will ride with Sir Kay.
Lancelot, rest here.
GUENEVERE
Don’t start a war on my wedding
day!
ARTHUR
Without Lancelot?!
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 51.
GUENEVERE (SEGUE)
But surely that’s no secret to
you, dear Lancelot. You’re the
bravest and strongest knight
they’ve ever seen, and beauty has
kissed your brow.
He can’t look at her.
GUENEVERE (SEGUE)
The well-kept secret is whether
any of them has won your heart.
LANCELOT
No.
GUENEVERE
Why?
LANCELOT
I am a fighting man and I am
married to the quest. That is
enough.
GUENEVERE
And there is no maiden in the
whole world who inspires you?
LANCELOT
There is one.
GUENEVERE
Who?!
LANCELOT
You.
GUENEVERE
Me?
LANCELOT
Yes. I would swear my love to
you.
GUENEVERE
To me? But why?
LANCELOT
I cannot love as a woman the lady
who will be wife to my King and
my friend. And, in pledging my
love to you, I cannot love any
other woman.
Guenevere smiles, moved by his blunt innocence.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (4) 52.
LANCELOT (SEGUE)
I will see you in all women, and
I will defend them as I would
defend you.
MERLIN
No, no, I need air.
Strangling a laugh he wrenches himself away. Just then
Uryens and a small party of knights rides up through the
tents and dismounts in front of the church. Uryens helps a
lady off her horse and joins the cortege on foot.
URYENS
Merlin, don’t you join the
celebration?
Merlin, who was slinking away through the throng of
bystanders, looks up. What he sees sends a chill through
his body.
MERLIN
You left your husband’s side? You
left your brother’s wedding?
MORGANA
Is that Mandrake, Lord Merlin?
MERLIN
It is.
MORGANA
Can it truly be used for magic?
Merlin smiles at last, and Morgana does, her eyes
piercing, cruel and lovely.
MERLIN
Yes... sometimes...
His gaze drifts toward the chapel.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
...There are many powers in this
world.
54.
BISHOP
Drink this the blood of Jesus
Christ our Lord.
The chalice seems to burn with a mystical light; and as
the chorus soars:
FADE OUT:
A LEGEND APPEARS:
"And Arthur built his castle, Camelot. And one day, in the
far reaches of the Kingdom..."
FADE IN:
PERCEVAL (SEGUE)
(desperately trying to
ingratiate)
I had rabbit yesterday. Today
I’ll eat fish... No?
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 55.
PERCEVAL
I’ll learn... take me... to the
King... What’s a... King?
Lancelot shakes his head and spurs the horse into a
gallop. Perceval lengthens his stride, and keeps up!
Lancelot reins to a halt.
LANCELOT
Very well. Climb up.
PERCEVAL
I will run.
LANCELOT
Listen, boy, it’s more than
twenty days from here.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 56.
PERCEVAL
Twenty days!? The world is that
big?
KAY
Kitchen knives and greasy spits
will be your weapons, boy.
Lancelot smiles to himself, hesitation, lingering before
the great gate of Camelot.
There is a walkway suspended in the trees above, that also
leads to the castle, and promenading on it is a group of
women, Guenevere and her ladies-in-waiting. The Queen sees
Lancelot and hastens toward him.
Lancelot sees her, and mounts his horse and heads back
into the forest. She stops, somewhat ahead of the ladies,
and watches wistfully.
Lancelot turns back and seeing her one last time, draws
down his visor and spurs his horse into a canter.
He passes two commoners who are heading for the castle,
one fat and the other thin, and they are locked in hot
dispute. Their wives keep them from coming to blows and
their children spur them on, enjoying the excitement.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 58.
FAT MAN
At least three shillings, sir.
Arthur addresses the Thin Man.
ARTHUR
Give me three shillings.
The Thin Man is crestfallen, the smile gone from his face.
He reluctantly hands the coins to Kay, who gives them to
Arthur. Arthur tosses them in the air and lets them fall
on a metal plate. He hands them back to the Thin Man, who
is totally confused now, as is everybody else.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
For the smell of your ale, the
jingle of his coins.
The knights roar with laughter and the Fat Man and the
Thin Man look at each other in astonishment. Perceval lets
out a raucous laugh that wins him a glance of disapproval
from Kay.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
with moonbeams, make the sea sing
your name...
MORGANA
A lovestruck page!
MERLIN
Shh... yes, yes. Sit with me,
please... Morgana.
MERLIN
Maybe... maybe...
Merlin’s thoughts have carried him far away, when he
realizes that Arthur is addressing him.
ARTHUR
Merlin, are you counselor to the
King, or to my sister?
Some knights laugh.
MERLIN
At your service, sir.
ARTHUR
Then answer me this. For years
peace has reigned in the land.
Crops grow in abundance, there is
no want. Every one of my subjects
enjoys his portion of happiness
and justice, even those whose
tiresome misunderstandings we
must resolve here each day. Tell
(CONTINUA)
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 60.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
me, Merlin: have we defeated
evil, as it seems?
MERLIN
Good and evil; there is never one
without the other.
Arthur is taken aback.
ARTHUR
Where hides evil, then, in my
kingdom?
MERLIN
Never where you expect it, that’s
all I know.
He chuckles softly and Arthur is puzzled. A knight speaks
out, the young knight with whom Morgana was flirting. His
manner is sarcastic.
SIR GAHALT
If we have peace and justice, why
is Lancelot never with us? Why is
he always riding out on his
quests? He must know where this
evil is.
SIR GAWAIN
Could there be evil within
Lancelot himself? To live above
human folly, as is his aim, is to
be overly proud.
SIR GAHALT
He pays no heed even to the
Queens longing for his company.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (4) 61.
ARTHUR
Sir Gahalt, answer the Queen.
GUENEVERE
No. I meant not to be angry with
you, Sir Gahalt. In the idleness
that comes with peace gossip has
bread its own evil. You merely
repeat it. Please, sir, have one
of those apples that Lancelot
loves, and in that gesture
partake of its goodness.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (5) 62.
SIR GAWAIN
I champion this truth: That Queen
Guenevere murdered Sir Gahalt
with the aid of sorcery.
ARTHUR
It is. Lords and knights of the
Round Table, as her husband I say
that this deed was not done by
Guenevere. Who among you will
champion this truth?
No one responds. Guenevere falls into her seat. Arthur
searches the eyes of his knights and they evade him.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
Sir Caradoc! You!
The knight looks up.
CARADOC
I am torn.
Sir Ector, old and feeble, weeps for Arthur. Someone
speaks up. It is Perceval, who kneels before the Queen.
His voice is unnaturally loud, and his eyes shine with
held-back tears; he stutters.
PERCEVAL
I will champion you, my lady.
He is overwhelmed by his own boldness. He looks around.
All eyes are upon him. Guenevere smiles at him, sadly.
GUENEVERE
I thank you, but you are not yet
a knight.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (6) 63.
PERCEVAL
I will find Lancelot! He will
come!
PERCEVAL
I have found you. The Queen. An
apple. Tomorrow. Sir Gawain...
LANCELOT
--It must wait, child. These good
ladies, for whom I intervened
once, will honor me with a meal.
I am beholden to them now as I
was when they begged my
protection.
The two women set the chicken and the bread before the
great knight, and stand back to watch him eat, flushed
with excitement. Perceval falls silent, in awe of
Lancelot.
GUENEVERE
Why can’t you be my champion?
ARTHUR
If I am your judge, I cannot be
your champion. When I act as your
King, I cannot be your husband.
GUENEVERE
And you cannot love me...
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 64.
ARTHUR
The laws, my laws, must bind
everyone, high and low, or they
are not laws at all. Lancelot
will come...
GUENEVERE
And if he cannot be found, no
other knight will champion me,
though you beseeched each and
every one of them. Why be king if
there is no one you can call
loyal subject but an eager boy?
He hides his anguish from her. Numb with hurt, she goes to
a tall curtained window, and draws it open, and stands
there looking out upon the surrounding forest, silent and
still beneath the moon.
She cries softly, and she whispers the name of the great
knight.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 65.
LANCELOT
Guenevere, I fight against
myself...
He loses consciousness.
ARTHUR
Is he coming?
PERCEVAL
He heard Lady Guenevere’s request
and he said nothing. That is all.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 66.
SIR GAWAIN
My Lord, the sun is upon the
field. The Queen has no champion.
I demand justice, as is my right.
ARTHUR
So it is.
Perceval leaps onto his horse.
PERCEVAL
Let me champion the Queen!
Sir Gawain looks at the squire with contempt.
SIR GAWAIN
(to Arthur)
Since no knight comes forward, I
demand justice--
Arthur is in anguish. He searches the tree line for a sign
of Lancelot. He looks from Guenevere at the stake to his
own knights watching him. He draws Excalibur. A gasp goes
through the crowd of onlookers.
ARTHUR
Boy, kneel.
Perceval leaps from his horse and bends his knee before
the King. Arthur brings the sword down on the boy’s
shoulder, giving him the three strokes.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
In the name of God, of St.
Michael, and St. George, I make
you a knight. Rise, Sir...
PERCEVAL
...Perceval!
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 67.
LANCELOT
It’s my task to prove the Queen’s
innocence.
They swing and thrust at each other with slower but bone-
crushing force, both unsteady now. Blood seeps from
Lancelot’s feet, leaving awful footprints on the earth.
Finally, with a daring thrust, Lancelot lifts Gawain’s
visor and the sword tip is before his eyes. Gawain drops
his sword and shield, kneels and speaks in a voice hoarse
with weariness.
SIR GAWAIN
The Queen is innocent. I yield to
your mercy, Sir Lancelot.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 68.
ARTHUR
Merlin, tell me. Now that
Guenevere is returned to me...
MERLIN
What is it my child?
Merlin appears moved by the predicaments that Arthur has
to face.
ARTHUR
Will I have a son?
Merlin stares off into the evening sky, where a lark sings
high up.
MERLIN
Yes.
ARTHUR
Just yes? No mad laughter, no
riddles, nothing but a simple
yes? That frightens me.
MERLIN
A king should be afraid, always.
The enemy is everywhere. Waiting
in ambush in the dark corridors
of his castle, on the deer paths
of his forest, or in the gray and
winding paths of a more tangled
forest, in here.
He taps his skull and smiles.
ARTHUR
It is not easy for the young ones
to learn knightly virtues without
the hard teaching of war and
quest. It is only your example,
Lancelot, that binds them now.
Then, addressing the hall:
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
Which is the greatest quality of
knighthood? Courage? Compassion?
Loyalty? Humility? What do you
say, Merlin?
He is bent close to Morgana, whispering. Only when the
hall rings with laughter does he look up.
MERLIN
What?
(then seeing he has an
audience)
The greatest? They blend together
like the metals we mix to make a
good sword.
ARTHUR
I didn’t ask for poetry. Which is
it?
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 70.
MERLIN
All right. Truth. It must be
truth, above all. When a man lies
he murders some part of the
world.
An uneasy silence falls upon the feast. Guenevere and
Lancelot cannot look at each other, and Arthur feels it.
Lancelot jumps to his feet.
LANCELOT
Conversation and court life don’t
suit me. I must take my rest in
the forest.
Guenevere stifles her dismay.
ARTHUR
Hasn’t Merlin mended your wound?
LANCELOT
It is deep...
GUENEVERE
--Nothing!
He steps back, drawing his sword. He holds it up by the
blade between them.
LANCELOT
By my knight’s sword, I swore
faith--
And before he can finish she grabs the blade to push it
aside. He holds it fast. Blood streams from her bare
hands. He cannot prevail without cutting them deeply. He
lets go of the sword, and she lets it fall to the ground.
She embraces his still and defeated hulk. She kisses the
metal, and sensation shoots through him, dizzying him.
LANCELOT (SEGUE)
Guenevere...
He folds her in his arm, and their bodies lock together as
though a trap had sprung. Their mouths meet, each
devouring the other...
72.
ARTHUR
I am alone and betrayed. By my
wife, by my beloved friend, by my
knights. And by you. Perhaps most
of all by you. For you made me,
you forged this wretched life.
And like a child tired of a toy,
you toss me aside, a babbling
lecher trotting after my
sister...
MERLIN
That is my destiny. I have a
destiny, too...
ARTHUR
With all your powers, you are
content to be ridiculed, laughed
at...
MERLIN
My powers fade, Arthur. I resort
to cheap tricks...
(with sudden enthusiasm)
Yes! I enjoy every moment of my
foolishness, I join in the making
of it, so no one can betray me.
But you! You betray yourself.
ARTHUR
Me? I have lived by the oath of
king and knight.
MERLIN
You betray the boy who drew the
sword, the boy who saw the
Dragon... the Dragon who moves
close by, coiling and uncoiling,
restless, looking down, waiting
for the King to be a king...
Arthur looks up and in the rolling clouds maybe, just
maybe, the form of a dragon is taking shape. Arthur draws
Excalibur, intensity animating his dead features.
ARTHUR
I must do it myself. I must kill
them both. Lancelot and
Guenevere. Will you ride with me,
Merlin?
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 73.
MERLIN
I cannot. I must not. Here I must
stay.
MORGANA
Crazy old fool. You think
yourself a kingmaker. Ha! A
meddler, more likely. Look what a
mess you’ve made of things.
GUENEVERE
He has given up.
She kneels before the sword, embracing the hilt to her
breast.
LANCELOT
The King without his sword, the
land without a king...
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 75.
GUENEVERE
We are to blame.
Lancelot stumbles into the forest, berserk with guilt. He
rages against a small tree, crying out, and he rips its
roots from the ground, the terrible tearing and renting
the symbol of his own inner torment.
Guenevere sinks to the ground next to Lancelot’s empty
armor and his abandoned sword.
MERLIN
When Arthur built the castle, I
carved out a place for myself,
where I could laugh or sleep, and
no one would bother me.
MORGANA
People make you laugh?
He laughs.
MERLIN
They do.
MORGANA
Why?
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 76.
MERLIN
In the folds of the earth where
the forces that hold the world
together are more alive, my power
is strongest. Here I will possess
you, as a man possesses a woman.
And the god, the eunuch, the mule
that I was, will be no more.
He sweeps her up into his arms.
MORGANA
You are truly magnificent!
MERLIN
Flattery! Do you think I am
ignorant of your stupid little
games? Preying on you weakness of
others. That’s your power, a
petty evil. Mine is great. Great
plans. Impossible dreams.
Laughable endings...
He deposits her on bare rock. He kisses her. She pushes
him away.
MORGANA
Merlin, the powers of Summoning,
the true Name of the charms of
Doing and Undoing. Show me!
MERLIN
I won’t. You would misuse such
power. I have paid enough for
you, and I will have you.
She leans forward and kisses his ear and whispers.
MORGANA
Make magic, my foolish wizard.
For our love. Weave a marvelous
room around us, a room worthy of
our coupling.
She draws closer, kissing him deeply. He breathes heavily.
MERLIN
What do you want? You must desire
it for me to weave it.
MORGANA
Walls of shining crystals,
burning with red fire,
furnishings of metals and jewels
never seen by man...
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 77.
MERLIN
Desire it and it will be as you
desire.
Morgana burns with intensity. Merlin utters a formula and
the fog coalesces around them into the shimmering presence
of crystal walls, fountains raining jewels, flowers made
of scented air, a bed of glass shot with light and covered
with skins of animals dead before the time of man, goblets
of ruby, tapestries woven of golden hair. She reaches out
to touch the wall and her hand plunges through the
unmaterialized illusion.
MORGANA
It’s only a semblance. You
disappoint me.
She does, a mad hope in her eyes. She kisses his chest.
MORGANA
Do it, Merlin, the deepest
secret. Fix it with the charm of
Making, for our endless pleasure.
He utters the ancient charm, Morgana listening closely,
memorizing it. The illusion is all of a sudden solid.
MERLIN
For you...
She runs her hand across the hard crystal surface, her
eyes gleaming.
From outside the wondrous room they can be seen to
embrace. He carries her to the magical bed where he makes
love to her, as they disappear from view in its effulgent
light.
She comes out through the crystal door, burning with evil
intent. She turns to watch him asleep in the bed.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (4) 78.
MORGANA (SEGUE)
...Guenevere would unlace his
armor and massage the burns where
metal rubbed on flesh...
She is stripping his legs naked, gently touching the flesh
with her fingertips. He stares off, remembering.
MORGANA (SEGUE)
...She would prepare a bath for
you, mixing special ointment in
the water...
Arthur looks down upon her, and the woman who looks up at
him is Guenevere, a Guenevere with cold ice eyes. He is
made weak by desire and weakened further by magic. He
holds her face adoringly.
ARTHUR
Guenevere! You are--
"GUENEVERE"
--Don’t speak. A thousand words,
a hundred thousand words, would
only be prologue to the truth
(CONTINUA)
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 80.
"GUENEVERE" (SEGUE)
that must be. That you, King, and
I, your Queen, beget a son to
bond our love and to strengthen
our weak kingdom with a
successor. Come, my lord...
She draws him to the floor and upon her body, holding him
tightly to himself. Arthur trembles with excitement,
pathetic in his desperate passion.
MORGANA
The moon flows in my blood to
meet your seed. And already I
bear him who will be King.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 82.
Perceval, Kay and a few others draw their swords and touch
their lips to the blades in oath. Sunbeams splash off
their armor.
PERCEVAL
I will go.
The rest of the fellowship draw their swords in imitation,
but the resolution within them is not strong. Arthur comes
forward to Gawain.
ARTHUR
Gawain, a dreadful fear is upon
me, that we may never meet again,
that the fellowship will be no
more...
GAWAIN
Arthur, forgive me. I die without
the secret. I have failed.
84.
MORGANA
Look, Mordred, a true prize for
the giant. The lamb rides into
our jaws.
Perceval is galloping toward them when the ground gives
way beneath the horse, and he and the animal plunge into a
pit. The cheering crowd rushes to the edge of the trap.
MORGANA (SEGUE)
(to Mordred)
You must kill him, for this
knight is dear to your father.
You must do it and learn to enjoy
your father’s pain.
Her knights drag Perceval, unarmed, into Morgana’s
presence.
MORGANA (SEGUE)
Have you found what you search
for? Have you found what Arthur
seeks?
MORGANA
Fool!
(to the men holding
Perceval)
Uncover him. I’ll show you the
mystery of life. It’s death...
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 85.
(to Mordred)
Do it, Mordred!
Holding Perceval by his limbs and hair, the men force him
down on the bloody grating, drawing back his head,
exposing his throat. Morgana kneels by his head, and draws
the boy beside her. She holds the tip of the dagger to
Perceval’s neck and takes Mordred’s hand and wraps it
around the handle. Perceval is choked with fear, his heart
pounding in his throat.
MORGANA (SEGUE)
Feel the life through the dagger,
child. It belongs to you.
The boy looks up at his mother. The vein in Perceval’s
neck pushes against the dagger’s point.
MORDRED
I feel it, Mother. I will give
his blood to the giant.
The dagger clatters to the grating and slips away down the
drain, before Morgana can retrieve it. She rages against
Mordred. In the confusion, Perceval tears loose, the men
holding him slipping on the blood-wet stone.
Perceval runs through the crowd. Immediately, lance
lowered, a knight is upon him. Perceval leaps toward him,
catching the lance in his hand, and pulling down the rider
with it. He jumps the rider and draws the knight’s sword.
Whirling the lance and cutting the air with the sword, he
keeps back the other knights for a moment, giving him time
to see his chance. He leaps onto the riderless horse and
charges off through the crowd. He reins in abruptly, the
horse rearing. He is wary of the ground before him; there
could be a hidden pit. But there is no time to think.
Knights and men on foot are rushing him. He spurs forward
into a gallop, the horse striding mightily And its hind
leg sinks into a pit, the animal losing its gait. But the
momentum carries the horse forward, and it recovers from
the stumble.
Perceval gallops away.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 86.
MORGANA (SEGUE)
My dear, sweet boy...
He just stands there emotionless, the dead center of her
turbulent passions.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 88.
FIGURE
What is the secret of the
chalice? Who does it serve?
PERCEVAL
The chalice. The secret was in my
grasp. I let it slip, afraid for
myself. A question was asked. I
didn’t understand. I didn’t try.
I failed...
FADE OUT:
A LEGEND APPEARS:
"Nine years passed."
FADE IN:
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 89.
KAY
Your son Mordred is at the gate.
Arthur comes alive.
ARTHUR
At last...
KAY
Don’t recognize him. You were
trapped by Morgana’s sorcery.
ARTHUR
(staring off)
...Gawain and Perceval, Bors and
Bohort, Caradoc and Ector, and
all the others--lost to me. Only
the echo of their voices remains
in this empty hall. All I have
left is the memory of their
fellowship. Echoes and memories.
I am a ghost of the King that
once was...
(he turns to Kay and with
sudden harshness)
...Mordred is real, alive, my own
flesh and blood. I will see him,
I must.
ARTHUR
Rise, Mordred.
MORDRED
I have come to claim what is
mine, Father.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 90.
ARTHUR
I recognize you only as my son,
no more.
MORDRED
(his tone is scathing)
And you are the great King? The
lords have rebelled. Invaders
attack the coasts. Crops don’t
grow. There is nothing but plague
and hunger in the land. Only I am
feared. I will be king. You may
have lost Excalibur, but I have
found my own weapon of power.
There.
MORDRED (SEGUE)
I will muster a great force of
knights, and I will return to
fight for what is mine.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 91.
ARTHUR
So be it.
He turns and re-enters the castle, the drawbridge pulled
up immediately behind him. He is hunched over, broken.
PERCEVAL
Illusions. I will never find it
again... I am sorry, woman, that
I frightened you.
Peasants have emerged, surrounding him, and they hold axes
and pitchforks.
PERCEVAL (SEGUE)
Good woman, do you have any food?
Some water?...
PEASANT
The little we had, we gave to
Mordred’s knights. He has taken
this land. Tell the King that now
we must look to Mordred.
SECOND PEASANT
But we will give you some
water...
At least ten peasants encircle Perceval and he is too
exhausted to put up a fight. They grab him and carry him
away. Other peasants pull his horse to the ground, and one
raises and ax to kill it.
92.
PERCEVAL
I have lost my horse, my armor,
my sword. I have lost my way. I
have lost my strength. I have
lost everything... I will not
lose hope.
A light bursting through the trees shines on the mud,
wordless, harmonies sound somewhere in the forest.
Perceval sets off toward the source.
FIGURE
I have waited long for you. Once
you almost saw, but fear blinded
you. Why am I served from the
chalice?
PERCEVAL
Because you and the land are one.
FIGURE
I am wasting away and I cannot
die. And I cannot live.
PERCEVAL
You and the land are one. Drink
from the chalice. You will be
reborn and the land with you.
Perceval cups his hands around the chalice to lift it. But
they close on nothing, and he draws back. The Figure’s
hands, although insubstantial, grasp Perceval’s and appear
to hold his hands around the cup.
FIGURE
But who am I?
Perceval begins to kneel.
PERCEVAL
You are my lord and King. You are
Arthur.
The blinding light vanishes, the music drifts away.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 94.
ARTHUR
I didn’t know how empty was my
soul until it was filled.
ARTHUR
Ready my knights for battle; they
will ride with their King once
more. I have lived through others
far too long! Lancelot carried my
honor and Guenevere my guilt. My
knights have fought my causes.
Mordred carries my sins. Now, at
last, I will rule.
ARTHUR
I am Arthur.
The old nun is amazed and starts pushing open the many
bolts, mumbling and agitated.
She weeps.
GUENEVERE
I loved you much, as King, and
sometimes as husband, but one
cannot gaze too long at the sun
in the sky.
ARTHUR
Forgive me, my wife, if you can.
I was not born to live a man’s
life, but to be the stuff of
future memory. The fellowship was
a brief beginning, a fair time
that cannot be forgotten; and
because it will not be forgotten,
that fair time may come again.
Now once more I must ride with my
knights to defend what was, and
the dream of what could be.
GUENEVERE
I have kept it.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
be just a man, that we may meet,
and you will come to me and claim
me as yours, and know that I am
your husband. It is a dream I
have...
He takes Excalibur by the hilt and exits.
ARTHUR
What horror is that?
KNIGHT
Mordred, sir. He digs for
precious metals, with which he
buys the loyalty of men at arms,
binding them to his side.
97.
ARTHUR
I am outnumbered ten to one by
Mordred’s forces. Merlin, I need
you at my side as you were once,
my friend, to give me courage.
There are no war tricks that will
fool Mordred. He was weaned on
blood.
He falls on his knees in front of the stone, tired,
between thinking and dreaming, and he bangs his mailed
fist against it.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
More than I ever did, I need you
now. Where are you, Merlin? Is it
true that Morgana has trapped
you?
ARTHUR
...If only you could be at my
side, Merlin, to see me wield
Excalibur once more...
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
Quiet. You’ll wake the men, and
they must fight tomorrow for
their very lives.
MERLIN
I know. I have heard noises and
echoes through the stones...
ARTHUR
What is this place, Merlin?
MERLIN
It is like a tree. The roots of
the stones spread out across the
land and they draw on the
thoughts and actions of men. Like
sap those human matters course
through the stones feeding the
stars that are the leaves of the
tree. And the stars whisper back
to men the future course of
events.
(becoming passionate)
But the earth is being torn
apart, its metals stolen, and the
balance is broken and the lines
of power no longer converge. In
fact, I nearly didn’t make it in
one piece.
He limps affectedly and stretches with exaggerated pain.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
But, I’m here.
ARTHUR
Where have you been these many
years? Is it true that Morgana--
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 99.
MERLIN
--Stories... You brought me back.
Your love brought me back. Back
to where you are now, in the land
of dreams...
ARTHUR
Is this a dream? Tell me, Merlin!
Merlin smiles, turns and leaves, heading for Arthur’s
camp, giggling. Arthur starts off after him and awakens
from the dream when he walks into one of the stones. It
takes him a moment to realize that Merlin has vanished.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
Merlin?!
KAY
Yes. He spoke to me. He said I
would fight bravely tomorrow. I
have never dreamed of Merlin
before.
ARTHUR
I dreamed of him too... Merlin
lives! He lives in our dreams
now, in that dark and shadowy
place that is as strong and real
as this more solid one. He speaks
to us from there.
He enters a tent.
100.
MERLIN
What’s behind that beauty? A
wizened, cold-hearted snake.
Merlin steps back, grandiose and melodramatic.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
You are a snake about to strike!
He raises his staff.
MERLIN (SEGUE)
And I am the staff that drives
the snake back.
He lowers the staff with dreamlike slowness and she slinks
right up to him.
MORGANA
Burning with the fire of desire,
I am the flames that consume the
staff to ashes.
She winds her fluttering hands around the staff, and the
shadows they cast upon the tent give the illusion of
licking flames.
MERLIN
I am the cloudburst that quenches
the flames.
MORGANA
I am the desert, where water
disappears--
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 101.
MERLIN
--I am the sea, which covers the
desert forever under its weight.
MORGANA
--I am the fog and mists that
rise up from the sea, escaping...
She laughs at her cleverness.
MERLIN
Fog and mist! You couldn’t be
that. You don’t have enough
magic.
LIEUTENANT
A fog is rising, sir.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 102.
MORDRED
That cannot be.
He rises and goes out with the lieutenant.
MORDRED
(to the lieutenant)
My mother has a sense for such
things. She said there would be
no fog.
MORDRED
...Mother?
Morgana, withered, old, lies dead in the bed, wisps of
smoke rising from within her ruptured body.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 103.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 104.
PERCEVAL
No, my lord. We seek Mordred.
KAY
I will join him.
SQUIRE
He lies over there, sir.
Arthur rushes off, Perceval following on horseback.
Lancelot is mortally wounded, blood flowing from his
abdomen, his eyes open but his gaze dead. Arthur falls to
his side.
ARTHUR
Squire! Here!
But there is no one now except the dead and wounded, and
Perceval, who dismounts to watch over the King, sword
drawn. Desperate, Arthur stops the wound with his hand.
Lancelot’s eyes are sightless, but tears spill from them.
LANCELOT
Arthur.
ARTHUR
Lancelot, I will save you...
Don’t die.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 105.
LANCELOT
--It is the old wound, that has
been opened. I have always known
it would be the gateway to my
death, for it has never healed.
Let my heart do its job, my King,
and pump me empty...
Arthur takes Lancelot in his arms and rests his lips
against the knight’s brow.
LANCELOT (SEGUE)
(a death whisper)
Guenevere, has she come to you,
is she Queen again?
ARTHUR
But for Mordred. Where is
Mordred?
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 106.
ARTHUR
No, Perceval. Now it is time for
me to raise my sword.
(he bellows out)
Mordred, prepare to meet your
death.
Shield on his left arm, and Excalibur in his right, he
starts toward Mordred.
MORDRED
I wait for you, Father.
Mordred advances forward, the huge spear in both hands and
parallel to the ground.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
There is one thing left to do...
Excalibur... And you must do it,
Perceval. Leave my wounds, I
command you.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (3) 107.
PERCEVAL
I cannot--
ARTHUR
--Take Excalibur. Find a pool of
calm water and throw the sword
into it.
Perceval, stunned by the command, doesn’t move.
ARTHUR (SEGUE)
Obey me, Perceval. You must act
for me. It is my last order as
your King. Do it, and be back!
Perceval picks up the sword, mounts his horse and rides
inland. Arthur watches him go, struggling with the pain,
still kneeling, and then his head falls to his chest.
PERCEVAL
It is too precious a thing. I
can’t...
He backs away from the water and hides the sword in the
reeds, and starts back.
ARTHUR
When you threw it in, what did
you see?
PERCEVAL
...I saw nothing.
The King looks at him with piercing power. Perceval blurts
it out.
PERCEVAL (SEGUE)
My King, I couldn’t do it.
Excalibur cannot be lost. Other
men--
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 108.
ARTHUR
--By itself it is only a piece of
steel. Its power comes from he
who wields it. For now there is
no one. Do as I have ordered!
Perceval leaves once more. The daylight is failing, the
sun is near the horizon over the sea, bursting through
clouds.
(CONTINUA)
(SEGUE) (2) 109.
PERCEVAL
Arthur! Will you return?
The sun slips below the horizon. Night is falling, and the
wind whips the wavecrests. He turns from the sea and wades
back.
PERCEVAL (SEGUE)
All the knights of the Round
Table are dead. Excalibur is
returned. Arthur is gone. Maybe
he lives, maybe he will return...
He stops at the edge of the water. In the uncertain light
sky and sea become one. He draws the chalice out of a
pouch on his saddle, and he holds it up before him.
PERCEVAL (SEGUE)
Only I remain, and this...
The wind swirls and whistles mysteriously in the hollow of
the cup. Music grand and melancholic grows from it. The
chalice, etched in starlight, is the last thing that is
taken from sight in the enfolding darkness.
FADE OUT:
THE END