Excalibur Page #9

EXT. CHAPEL, JOUSTING GROUND - DAY

Bells toll the good news. People stream by to see the new

king and join the celebration.

EXT. SITE OF THE SWORD IN THE STONE - DAY

Uryens and Lot, and Caradoc, Turquine, and the other lords

have mounted, and are moving out, when from the rear guard a

bowman in Lot's service draws upon the unarmored figure of

Arthur across the cheering crowd. The bowman lets the arrow

fly.

It flies over the heads of the crowd, unseen.

Except by Merlin at Arthur's side. He extends his arms halfway

up, his fists clenched tightly as if drawing urgently on the

power within himself. The sound of wings is heard as he flaps

his arms.

The arrow flies toward Arthur.

Arthur sees the arrow coming right at him, when a swooping

crow plucks it out of the air.

Arthur watches the crow flapping its wings, climbing swiftly,

the arrow in its beak, disappearing over the forest. Only he

has noticed.

When he turns Merlin is no longer at his side; to the

puzzlement of all. And Arthur is all of a sudden terribly

alone and afraid, as people from all sides clamor for his

attention and guidance.

EXT. FOREST - DAY

Arthur charges through the shadowy forest. He is in armor,

but it is only a light tunic of mail. Excalibur is sheathed

in a leather scabbard by his side. He is frantic and he calls

urgently.

ARTHUR:

...Merlin... Merlin...

His face shines with sweat, the horse is lathered. He

dismounts and continues on foot into denser, more tangled

undergrowth.

ARTHUR:

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?

His voice is thin as he is awakening from a deep, exhausted

sleep. Arthur finds him lying within the large gnarled roots

of a great tree. The boy kneels before Merlin and lifts his

hands and kisses them.

ARTHUR:

You saved me from the arrow...

MERLIN:

(a flicker of mischief)

But not from your destiny.

ARTHUR:

I want to thank you.

MERLIN:

That's not why you came.

Arthur blurts it out:

ARTHUR:

Merlin, help me. I need your help. I

don't know how--

MERLIN:

(irritated)

'Help me, Help me.' Help me get up.

Arthur helps Merlin up and the wizard stands unsteadily.

MERLIN:

I'm tired. Doing magic takes its

toll, you know. My arms ache

terribly...

(he makes flying

movements with his

arms and grimaces)

Once--or is it yet to happen--I stood

exposed to the Dragon's breath so

that a man could lie one night with

a woman. It took me ten moons to

recover. I'm sure that story would

interest you, since... Well, we'll

have to talk about it another time.

You're too busy now.

The forest groans and creaks, alive with murmurs and shrill

calls.

MERLIN:

It is whispered in the forest that...

(he cups his ear with

exaggeration)

...Leondegrance's castle is under

siege by Lot and Uryens.

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.

Silence. Arthur tries again.

ARTHUR:

It's just that I have no experience,

and no men to speak of. How can I--

MERLIN:

(suddenly fierce)

Because you must! You and only you.

Have you forgotten that it was you

who freed Excalibur?

Just as suddenly, he is his amused, ironic self again.

MERLIN:

Besides, it will be a good lesson.

(giggling)

The best, if it's not the last.

Arthur bows his head, confused and almost defeated. Merlin

steals a look at him, and puts his arm around the boy.

MERLIN:

Maybe you'd like to meet the power

that gave you the sword?

He enjoys being cryptic.

ARTHUR:

How? Where?

MERLIN:

In the great book.

ARTHUR:

What book is that?

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