Excalibur Page #11

The old knight rushes after the boy, sword drawn, to defend

his flank, and the others follow, a battle cry issuing from

them that is terrifying in its fierceness.

EXT. BATTLEMENTS AND BATTLEFIELD BELOW - NIGHT

...and when she can't watch any longer, she buries her face

in her hands.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE CASTLE - NIGHT

Arthur fights like a wounded lion at the center of the savage

melee of sword and shield, and once again the two sides fall

apart.

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?

Arthur turns, searching for Merlin. He spots him watching

from a distance. They stare at each other, Merlin implacable,

Arthur's eyes pleading. It's obvious that Merlin isn't going

to help.

ARTHUR:

You are right. I'm not yet a knight.

(gaining strength)

You, Uryens, will knight me.

He unsheathes Excalibur and goes forward, kneeling before

Uryens and offering him the sword.

ARTHUR:

Then as knight to knight I can offer

you mercy.

MERLIN:

(to himself)

What's this, what's this?!

Arthur, kneeling, bows his head and Uryens steps up to him,

his features set. He accepts the sword. Lot watches, a mad

hope dancing in his eyes.

EXT. BATTLEMENTS, CAMELYARDE CASTLE - NIGHT

Guenevere watches, frightened for Arthur, not daring to

breathe.

EXT. OUTSIDE THE CASTLE - NIGHT

Uryens stands towering above the boy. He smiles enigmatically.

He lifts Excalibur.

Merlin is attempting to push through the crowded ranks to

get to Arthur.

He's frantic and worried for once.

MERLIN:

I never saw this...

Uryens swiftly lowers the sword on Arthur's neck; with the

flat of the blade he gives Arthur the three strokes.

URYENS:

In the name of God, of Saint Michael

and Saint George, I give you the

right to bear arms, the power to

mete justice.

Arthur looks up.

ARTHUR:

That duty I will solemnly obey as

knight and King.

Uryens is deeply moved.

URYENS:

Rise, my King. I am your humble

knight, and I swear allegiance to

the courage in your veins, for so

strong it is, it's source must be

Uther. I doubt you no more.

Arthur rises and Uryens kneels and kisses his hands. Sir

Ector turns away to hide brimming tears. Merlin pushes through

finally, out of breath. Uryens embraces Leondegrance while

Lot and the other enemy knights kneel in turn and kiss

Arthur's hands.

EXT. WOOD BY CAMELYARDE CASTLE - DAY

The castle can be glimpsed through the trees. A clear spring

bubbles from the ground, and the sun splashes leaf, bird,

squirrel, and bee with golden light, and Arthur and Guenevere

too. Guenevere is serious and intent on her work.

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:

Careful! You'll have to stay still

for a few days or you'll tear them

open.

Arthur shivers at the thought.

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:

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 touches his lips with hers, her eyelids fluttering shut.

He stares at her young beauty, and draws her into a long,

slow kiss.

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