1
NARRATOR: A long time ago,
Britain was ruled
by King Uther Pendragon.
But when Uther died
without an heir,
the land was
torn apart by war.
Many tried to claim the throne
and fought bitterly
and endlessly.
People's hearts
grew hopeless and hollow.
The country became
lost and leaderless.
So the wizard Merlin
conjured a magical sword
in a stone called Excalibur
and declared that only
Uther's true heir
could pull it free.
Many tried,
but only one succeeded.
A boy named Arthur,
who had no idea he was
Uther's long-lost son.
Arthur grew into a great king.
He turned his enemies
into allies
and ruled at a round table,
so that all were equal.
He and his knights lived
by a code of chivalry,
their hearts pure and noble.
But their greatest foe
was Arthur's own
half-sister, Morgana.
Convinced she was
the rightful heir,
and desperate
to possess Excalibur,
she turned to dark sorcery.
Arthur fought a fearsome
battle against her,
and bound her into
the bowels of the earth.
But not before
she swore dark vengeance.
When you are long gone,
when hearts are hollow
and the land is lost
and leaderless again,
I will return.
NARRATOR:
And so will the sword.
MUM:
Alex, you're gonna be late.
ALEX: Okay, okay!
I'm coming as fast as I can.
MUM: Your homework's
all over the kitchen table.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER RADIO)
You know, every time you
sleep in
and skip breakfast,
it's like...
BOTH: ...starting the day
on an empty battery.
I know.
MUM: Maybe if you hadn't
left that
till last thing
the night before...
ALEX: Damn.
MUM: Here.
It's not exactly
the right color, but...
(BLOWS)
Maybe you can say
it's a solar flare.
Thanks, Mum.
MAN: (ON RADIO)
You're listening to the BBC.
It's 7:30am,
it's time for the news.
(PANTING)
WOMAN: (ON RADIO)
BBC News at 7:30.
Experts are warning that
the world is becoming
more unstable
than it has been
for centuries.
With dictators and strongmen
gaining power
in more countries
than ever before,
global divisions
are increasing
at an alarming rate.
(PHONE CHIMES)
(KIDS SHOUTING)
ALEX: Oh, no.
Excuse me.
(PANTING)
Sorry.
'Scuse me.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)
Bedders!
Has anyone seen Bedders?
Bedders! Where are you?
- Let go of me! Leave me alone!
- (COINS CLINKING)
Put me down!
No, no, and no.
You wanna survive
in this school,
you gotta pay
for the privilege.
You're cutting off
my circulation.
I am going to pass out.
Keep your voice down
or I'll punch my PIN number
into your legs.
My head's filling up
with blood.
It's going to explode!
(PANTS)
I feel weird.
Help!
- Somebody help me.
- Hey! Let him go.
BOY: Oh, look.
It's the Lego Minifigure boy.
I said, leave him alone.
(GRUNTING)
- BOY: Ooh.
- GIRL: Why should we?
Because there's two of you,
he's half your size,
and he's my friend.
- Aw.
- Mm.
(SIGHS)
(GRUNTS)
BOY: How many times
do I have to tell you?
Don't be a hero.
It's not worth it.
I'm the king around here.
(GRUNTS, GASPS)
Careful not to drown
in that puddle.
GIRL: See you later, girls.
- (SCHOOL BELL RINGS)
- (PANTING)
(BOTH GRUNT)
(KIDS SHOUTING)
BOY: Off me!
Get off me, shrimp!
TEACHER:
Break it up! Break it up!
Move aside, move aside!
Alexander Elliot!
PRINCIPAL: I'll give you
one last chance,
or I'll just have to give
all three of you detention.
Who started it?
No one.
Your behavior here
directly affects
the rest of your life.
You know that, don't you?
It's a tough world out there
and it's getting tougher
all the time.
There's millions of kids
in this country
with a better start in life
than you.
And the world
is not going to change.
It's you that has to change.
Alex, you saved my life,
and now I owe you
my undying loyalty.
Like Frodo and Samwise
or Chewbacca and Han
or Donkey and Shrek.
We'll make sure we're on
the same bus every morning.
And I'll wait for you
at lunch break
and after school,
so if they ever dare
try anything...
We already do that, Bedders.
Lance and Kaye
rule the school.
There's nothing you can do.
There's nothing
either of us can do.
This isn't
junior school anymore.
We're nothings now.
We're the most insignificant,
powerless people
in the school.
Hey.
Hey!
I learnt a new trick.
Hold out your hand.
(SIGHS)
Now squeeze
as hard as you can.
Abracadabra!
Alakazam!
Open your hand.
Wait, that's not right.
You're supposed to have
both of them.
It's a duplication illusion.
It's really good
when it works.
(COINS CLINK)
Don't worry about it, Bedders.
I'm not in the mood
for magic anymore.
MUM: Alex, are you okay?
It's not true, is it?
What would make you
jump on someone
and start punching them?
Alex.
ALEX:
They were bullying Bedders.
I tried to stop them.
No one said
anything about that.
Why didn't you say something?
Why didn't you tell someone?
(GASPS)
Alex, look at you.
Because it would just
make everything worse.
How could telling the truth
make everything worse?
You wouldn't understand.
Dad would understand.
MUM: Well...
he's not here.
But if he was,
I know exactly what he'd say.
He'd say that
telling the truth
and doing the right thing
never makes anything worse.
You always used to
believe that, Alex.
Yeah.
Well, not anymore.
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
- WOMAN: I can taste it...
- DEMONIC VOICES: Taste.
WOMAN: ...in the rain.
- Sense it in the soil.
- DEMONIC VOICES: Sense it.
WOMAN: What they once had...
is long lost.
VOICES: Long lost.
- WOMAN: They are divided.
- DEMONIC VOICES: Divided.
- WOMAN: Fearful.
- DEMONIC VOICES: Fearful.
- WOMAN: Leaderless.
- DEMONIC VOICES: Leaderless.
Leaderless. Leaderless...
WOMAN: As they grow weaker...
DEMONIC VOICES:
Weaker... Weaker...
WOMAN: ...I grow stronger.
DEMONIC VOICES: Stronger.
WOMAN:
Soon, darkness will dawn.
My time will come.
(GASPS)
(CLOCK TICKING)
TEACHER: Come on, no doodling.
This is detention,
not art class.
Concentrate.
(SCHOOL BELL RINGS)
LANCE: Oi! Alex Elliot!
Wait for us.
We wanna talk to you.
KAYE: Where are you going?
Don't run away.
LANCE: What's the matter?
What are you frightened of?
- (TIRES SQUEAL)
- (HORN BLARES)
Go, go! Run, get him!
- (PANTING)
- That fast as you can go?
KAYE: We're right behind you!
LANCE: You're dead now,
you little snitch!
KAYE: Alex Elliot!
LANCE: Oi! Come here!
Here, boy!
(PANTING)
(GRUNTS)
Hey, Lance! I've got him.
Oi. What you running for?
You and me have got
a fight to finish.
(GASPS)
(THUD)
KAYE: We'd better leave.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(GASPS)
Hello? Is anybody here?
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
(POLICE SIREN WAILS)
(SIREN FADES AWAY)
ALEX: Bedders, tell your dad
we've got homework together.
Come across the garden walls.
You've gotta see what I found.
(WOMAN SCREAMS, SNARLS)
DEMONIC VOICE:
The sword has returned.
ECHOING VOICES: Has returned.
Returned. The sword.
DEMONIC VOICE:
The sword has been drawn.
(EXHALES)
Let the roots be my senses.
DEMONIC VOICES: Senses.
Let the land
be my eyes and ears.
DEMONIC VOICES: Eyes and ears.
Find the one who drew it.
Find the new king.
DEMONIC VOICES:
Find the new king.
MORGANA: The sword must be mine.
The king must die.
DEMONIC VOICES: The king.
The new king. Find the new king.
Find the new king.
(ROOTS CREAKING)
ALEX: Maybe it's a prank.
A YouTube thing.
A social experiment.
Maybe there were
hidden cameras.
Look.
There's something written
on the guard.
Put it into Google Translate.
"Gladius...
Arturi...
filius Tintageli."
(PHONE KEYBOARD CLICKING)
It's Latin.
It means, "Sword of Arthur,
son of Tinta-gel."
Who's Tinta-gel?
What are you doing?
ALEX: My dad gave me
a book once, years ago...
about the Knights
of the Round Table.
I used to know it
off by heart.
It's not "Tinta-gel,"
it's Tintagel.
And Tintagel's not a person,
it's a place...
an island off the coast
of Cornwall.
There's an old
ruined castle there.
Some people say it's where
King Arthur was born.
I went there once
when I was five.
It's where my dad lived.
The last time I ever saw him.
That's where I was
when he gave me this book.
He even signed it.
Look.
BEDDERS: "To Alex, my once
and future king. Dad."
Alex, what if
this is a message?
What if you're the only person
who could have pulled
that sword out?
What if it's...
- Go on.
- But you'll laugh at me.
I won't, I promise.
What if it's
the Sword in the Stone?
(BOTH LAUGH)
Behold, Excalibur.
Kneel before your king.
Yes, my lord.
You're my closest and oldest
and very best friend.
I knight thee...
Sir Beddersvere.
MUM:
Alex, is your light still on?
- You better be in bed.
- ALEX: Quick, go.
- BEDDERS: Alex.
- What?
You don't really think
that's the real
Sword in the Stone, do you?
Of course not.
- (BUZZING)
- (ELECTRICITY CRACKLING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
- (BELL RINGS)
- MAN: Morning.
Bloody hell.
Oh. Forgive me.
I completely forgot
to include clothing
in my Vivifica
Transubtantiatio.
Do you by any chance
have any beetle blood,
ground animal bone,
or beaver urine?
What?
(SIGHS)
Very well.
In that case,
I require your smock.
(SNAPPING, CLAPPING)
(HORNS BLARING)
(SIREN WAILING)
BOY: Surely, Officers,
it's not against the law to
take a morning constitutional.
Or to wear
loose-fitting garments
that permit fresh air
to circulate around
one's crevices and furrows.
Now, your carriage
seems warm and dry.
Take me east at once,
posthaste.
(SNAPPING, CLAPPING)
(SIREN WAILING)
(SNAPPING, CLAPPING)
- (SNEEZES)
- (POPPING)
DISPATCHER: (ON RADIO)
Romeo Charlie zero one,
what is your location?
What just happened?
(BIRD TWITTERS)
TEACHER: Pay attention,
everybody.
We have a new pupil
joining the class today.
Why don't you
introduce yourself?
Greetings, young academicians.
My name is...
Mertin.
Yes, that's right.
Mertin Ambrosius Caledonensis.
And I am a perfectly normal
contemporary
British schoolboy.
(STUDENTS LAUGH)
TEACHER: Quiet down, please.
No, Bedders. Absolutely not.
We cannot talk to that boy.
But he looks cool.
At the very least
I bet he's into magic,
and role-playing games,
and Game of Thrones.
Listen to me.
For the first time ever,
there's someone in this school
who's more bullyable than us.
We have to stay away from him.
As far away as possible.
TEACHER:
Some metals are common,
like copper,
and are called base metals.
Others are rare and valuable,
like gold,
and are called
precious metals.
Now, a long time ago,
people called "alchemists"
believed that you could
change base metals
to precious metals.
These sections of
the Earth's crust
contain a wealth of history.
Ruins, dead bodies,
evidence of past
civilizations.
TEACHER: And slowly move your
moons across, between the two.
You will start to see
how these two planets,
when their orbits intersect,
will cause the upcoming
total solar eclipse.
"Upcoming"?
What do you mean, "upcoming"?
When exactly is this
total solar eclipse due?
- Four days' time.
- Four days?
God's socks.
This is a catastrophe.
A disaster.
I thought it was four years.
Get out of my way!
I need air, space to think!
(STUDENTS CHATTERING)
(DOOR CLOSES)
Alexander Elliot!
It was you who drew the sword.
In four moons there will be
darkness in daylight,
the dual realms
will be bridged,
and Morgana will return.
Oh, no.
You must saddle your steeds,
gird up your armor,
gather your allies!
Go away.
We don't know you,
and we don't want to know you.
Leave us alone!
(STUDENTS GASPING)
Good people,
this realm faces
mortal danger!
And this boy among you
drew Excalibur.
Who will kneel at his feet
and swear allegiance?
(STUDENTS LAUGHING, SHOUTING)
Stop it! Stop that!
(SCREAMS)
- (BIRD TWITTERS)
- (STUDENTS SCREAM)
- (WINGS FLAPPING)
- (STUDENTS YELLING)
But Rokas saw it
with his own eyes.
Danielle said they tried
to catch it for two hours,
but it escaped.
He did not turn into
an owl, Bedders.
But he said we're
in mortal danger.
And he knew about the sword.
How could he know
about the sword?
I don't know.
It's a coincidence.
It doesn't matter,
I've made up my mind.
I'm putting it back.
Tomorrow night, after school.
It's stolen property,
and it's a weapon.
And it's making everything
go... weird.
- But what if...
- But what if what?
Nothing.
Good night, Bedders.
(HIGH-PITCHED HUMMING)
(DISTANT CLATTERING)
(GASPS)
(CREAKING)
(GASPS)
(GRUNTS, PANTS)
- (CRASH)
- (GLASS SHATTERING)
(HIGH-PITCHED HUMMING)
(CRUNCHING FOOTSTEPS)
Mum!
Mum?
Mum.
(GASPS)
DEMONIC VOICE:
The sword must be mine.
(HUMMING QUICKENS)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(GROWLS)
(ALEX GRUNTS)
The king must die.
(ALEX PANTING)
(GRUNTS)
(COUGHING)
- Mertin?
- (COUGHING)
What are you doing here?
Saving your life, boy.
From that thing.
Don't you realize,
appearing in the mortal realm
after sundown
is lethal for me?
Find me here tomorrow.
Without fail.
Open the window. Hurry.
- (MERTIN SNEEZES)
- (TWITTERING)
DEMONIC VOICE:
He was a child, my Lady.
ECHOING VOICES:
A child, a child.
DEMONIC VOICE: A boy.
No more than 12 winters.
There was another.
Hardly older than
the chosen king.
He destroyed our sentinel
with an elemental
manipulation.
MORGANA: Merlin.
A child too.
Have I waited so long?
DEMONIC VOICES: So long.
Have I grown so old...
that he has grown so young?
(CREAKING)
(GRUNTS)
Awake, my warriors,
cease your slumber.
Nightfall will be ours.
Awake, my warriors,
cease your slumber.
Nightfall will be ours.
Awake, my warriors,
cease your slumber.
Nightfall will be ours.
Awake, my warriors,
cease your slumber.
Nightfall will be ours.
DEMONIC VOICES:
Nightfall will be ours.
Nightfall will be ours.
Nightfall will be ours.
Come on, Alex. It's time to
join the land of the living.
That is not Excalibur.
Tell me the truth.
Where did you get that thing?
I told you,
on a building site.
Then we're taking it
back there. Right now.
No. You can't take it away.
And you can't keep it.
Alex, it's a dangerous weapon,
and it doesn't belong to you.
Yes, it does.
I pulled it out of a stone
and something came
and tried to take it back.
Something old and evil
that came out of the ground.
And a boy from school came
and he saved me.
And then he turned
into an owl.
And I was wide awake
the whole time, I promise.
Did you get that
out of the attic?
Alex, I know you're
having a tough time.
And I know you miss your dad.
But he gave you that book
because he wanted you to
grow up to be a good person.
Not the kind of person
who gets into fights,
not the kind of person
who believes in fairy tales,
and not the kind of person
who carries...
giant, medieval
weapons around.
Then why did he write this?
Because he loved you.
Then why did he leave?
MUM: Maybe I haven't told you
as much as I should about him.
He had his battles.
His demons.
But he loved you.
And this has to stop.
Now, we're taking that sword
to the police station
and then I'm taking
you to school.
- Alex!
- (GASPS)
Put that down. Now.
No. It's mine.
- I need it.
- I'm not telling you again.
I have to go,
and I'm taking it with me.
Alexander Elliot, don't you
dare leave this house.
(GASPS)
Alex.
Sorry, Mum.
Alex!
Alex!
BEDDERS: I feel sick, Alex.
I've never been outside school
on a weekday
in term time before.
Not without adult supervision
and a hi-vis vest.
It's just, I'm used to reading
about this kind of thing.
I'm not used to it
actually happening.
ALEX: Just calm down, Bedders.
Let me do the talking.
("THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE"
BY BUCKS FIZZ PLAYS)
(SIZZLING)
Ah!
Finally.
Take these, follow me.
Come! I've taken temporary
lodging above.
As I tried to explain
last night,
appearing in the mortal realm
after dark
drains my life force
extremely fast,
let alone contending
with a Mortes Milles.
It takes a very particular
potion to restore my strength.
Beetle blood, ground bone
and beaver urine.
I thought I'd have trouble
finding the ingredients,
but Lip Smackin' Chicken
had it all.
Really?
The red in this cherryade
derives from beetle blood.
The vanilla in this ice cream,
from beaver urine.
And these nuggets
are largely gristle
and ground animal bone.
Altogether... mm...
utterly invigorating.
(MUNCHING)
Mm.
(SLURPS)
Your name isn't Mertin, is it?
It's Merlin.
An ingenious alias,
don't you think?
Came up with it
on the spur of the moment
in order to monitor you
incognito.
(SLURPS)
I thought Merlin
was supposed to be an old man.
You look about 16.
That's because I live
backwards in time.
The older I grow,
the younger I become.
Honestly, boy,
do they teach you nothing
in that so-called school?
From now on,
nighttime will be dangerous
for you too, Alexander.
At night the penumbra between
light and dark weakens.
The Mortes Milles
will rise again.
Mortes Milles? Is that what
came to get me last night?
Fallen warriors
from battles of old.
Their souls enslaved by evil.
For now, they can only
enter this realm after dark.
But...
when they rise, time freezes
and every mortal
soul disappears,
save for the one
who drew the sword
and those who have
been knighted.
Their spell is only
broken at sunrise.
Or when every risen warrior...
is destroyed.
That's why my mum disappeared.
That's why everything went
back to normal after you left.
There are three moons
until the solar eclipse
when Morgana will seize
her opportunity
to enter the realm
of the living
and retake
what she lost long ago.
Excalibur.
Who's Morgana?
She was King Arthur's
half-sister.
She is greed, entitlement,
vengefulness.
And she has awoken.
But why? After all this time.
Have you seen the world
outside your window?
This land is divided.
Lost and leaderless.
Men's hearts have
grown hollow.
That's why
her strength returns.
And that is why
the sword has returned.
And I'm supposed to stop her?
That's ridiculous. I'm 12.
I'm not even old enough
to do a paper round.
You'll have to find
someone else.
It's too dangerous, we'll die.
- So, there's your sword back.
- (CLATTERS)
It's been great to meet you,
and good luck with everything.
(MERLIN INHALES, SNEEZES)
Your quest has been decided.
There is no turning back.
(CRACKLING)
(CRACKLING)
(AIR WHOOSHING)
(ECHOING) You must find the
entrance to the Underworld.
Defeat Morgana
in her own realm
before the moon masks the sun,
or you, your people,
and the land
on which you live,
are doomed.
(MONSTER SHRIEKING)
You have been chosen
to save your kingdom
from slavery!
(GASPS)
(GLASS SHATTERING)
Christmas Day,
that was exhausting.
- (SLURPS)
- (PANTING)
If I have to transform
into my adult self
every time I need to
drive a point home,
I'll be dead
before the day is done.
(SNEEZES LOUDLY)
(TWITTERING)
(THUD)
Oh!
Are there no unglazed windows
or unblocked chimneys left
in this godforsaken country?
Mertin... Merlin, wait.
How do we find the entrance
to the Underworld?
- Where do we go?
- You're a king, boy.
The path you choose
must be your own.
- (SNEEZES)
- (TWITTERING)
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
This is the worst and best
and most terrible
and brilliant and frightening
and excellent thing
that's ever happened to me.
We need to go somewhere
no one can find us.
Somewhere we can think.
Come on, Bedders.
It's this way.
(BEDDERS GRUNTS)
Look.
The inscription.
It's just like in the book.
It's all just like
in the book.
You were right.
He knew.
It's exactly the same
in every story we ever read.
King Arthur, Luke Skywalker,
Harry Potter.
None of them
know their fathers,
and then something
amazing happens.
And they find out they're
descended from powerful,
magical families.
That's me, Bedders. That's me!
My mum said he had his battles
and his demons.
And now I know what she meant.
My dad's a hero.
He's the key to all of this.
We have to go to Cornwall.
To Tintagel.
We have to find him.
But Cornwall's
hundreds of miles away.
And you haven't seen him
for years.
He'll know where the entrance
to the Underworld is.
He'll know
how to defeat Morgana.
He's the only one
who can help us.
Look, Alex.
It's already dark.
Merlin said nighttime
would be dangerous.
He said the penumbra between
light and dark weakens.
He said...
ALEX: The Mortes Milles
will rise again.
LANCE: Hello, boys.
Nice sword. Looks real.
KAYE: Yeah. Real valuable.
LANCE:
Playing little games, are we?
Having fun
with our imaginations?
We like games. Can we join in?
Give us a quick go with that.
We'll give it back, I promise.
Sure. Help yourself.
(GRUNTS)
All you have to do
is pull it out of that stone.
Easy.
Excuse me, ladies.
(GRUNTS)
Come on.
Stay here. Find something
to defend yourself with.
- (KAYE AND LANCE GRUNTING)
- Why? What are you gonna do?
What Merlin said.
Gather some allies.
KAYE: Let me try again.
Okay, ready.
KAYE AND LANCE:
One, two, three. (GRUNTING)
I'm the only one who can
pull the sword from the stone.
I'm the once and future king.
I'll pull it out
and you can hold it
if you both kneel
and let me knight you.
Oh, my God,
you're such a nerd.
You're a king, are you?
Really?
Well, you're not royal.
So what kind of a king
are you?
Maybe he's a Burger King.
He's too small
to be King Kong.
He could be the Lion King.
Come on, then, Simba.
Let's see you pull it out.
You swear, if I do,
you'll let me knight you both?
We swear.
Excuse me.
Now, kneel.
No way. I don't kneel.
Not for anybody.
Do it. Then we get to play.
(KAYE SIGHS)
ALEX: I knight thee,
Lady Kaye.
(RUMBLING)
Come on, then. Get on with it.
ALEX: I knight thee,
Sir Lance.
- (LANCE GRUNTS)
- (GROANS)
(LAUGHS) What are you gonna
do now, Percy Jockstrap?
Cast a spell? Summon a dragon?
Sort of.
(ROCKS CRACKING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(GROWLING)
Nightfall will be ours.
KAYE: Move! Hide!
Lance! Run!
(WHIMPERING)
(WHIMPERS)
KAYE: Lance! Get up! Move!
(WHIMPERS)
(ALEX YELLS)
BEDDERS: There's another one.
ALEX: Come on, Lance!
LANCE: Run!
ALEX: Faster! Go, go!
- KAYE: Move!
- ALEX: Hurry!
KAYE:
Tell me I'm dreaming this!
(GRUNTS)
Help me!
(BOTH GRUNT)
(MORTES MILLES GROWL)
LANCE: They're still coming!
- ALEX: Go!
- KAYE: Run!
LANCE: Faster!
Out of the way!
- ALEX: Run! Hurry!
- BEDDERS: Wait! Wait!
(CREATURES SNARLING)
BEDDERS: Help!
They're right behind me!
KAYE: Come on, Bedders!
BEDDERS: Help!
- ALEX: Run!
- KAYE: Bedders!
- BEDDERS: Don't leave me behind!
- ALEX: Quickly!
- KAYE: Help!
- LANCE: Help!
KAYE: Somebody help us!
BEDDERS: Help!
KAYE: There's no one here!
Everyone's vanished!
LANCE: What the flip's happened?
Where's everyone gone?
Why are all these cars empty?
BEDDERS: It's just like Merlin
said! Everyone's disappeared!
(CREATURE SHRIEKS)
BEDDERS:
Alex, what are you doing?
Alex! Run! Alex!
They're just made of bones!
We can kill them!
(CREATURES SHRIEKING)
- LANCE: There's two more!
- KAYE: We can't outrun them.
LANCE: What are we gonna do?
Hey, can anybody drive?
- ALEX: Hurry up, Bedders!
- Come on!
KAYE: Get in!
- (BEDDERS WHIMPERS)
- Get off me!
(LANCE SCREAMS)
- (HOOVES CLOPPING)
- (ENGINE REVVING)
- (TIRES SQUEAL)
- (BOYS SCREAM)
LANCE: We lost one!
ALEX: It's catching up!
On the left! On the left!
(SCREAMS)
KAYE: Wait for it.
ALEX: Whoa!
LANCE: Oh! (GASPING)
Get the last one,
and everything
will go back to normal!
KAYE: Hold on!
- (TIRES SQUEAL)
- (BOYS SCREAM)
Where did you learn
how to drive?
Mario Kart.
(BOYS SCREAM)
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(ALL SCREAMING)
LANCE: What?
- The traffic!
- Stop! Stop!
(SCREAMS)
- (TIRES SQUEALING)
- (HORNS BLARING)
- (LANCE SCREAMS)
- (KAYE WHIMPERS)
(HORNS BEEPING)
(ALL PANTING)
Kaye, thanks.
You saved us.
I was gonna say
the same thing to you.
Yeah, me too.
Until I remembered
you tricked us into this
in the first place.
You're coming back to my house
and you're not leaving
until you explain
exactly what just happened.
Now, rewind.
First. You want me
not to smash your faces in?
Yes, please.
Then you want us to skip
school tomorrow morning,
go to Cornwall
with this freak new boy,
find your long-lost dad,
kill some demon sorceress,
- and save Britain from slavery?
- Yes.
LANCE: And out of all the people
in the entire world,
even though there's already
a royal family,
you're actually
the real, true king?
Trust me,
I'm as shocked as you.
Well, there's one thing
I don't get.
Why would people like us...
help people like you?
Yeah. Why would we, like,
even be seen with you?
Because you're
the strongest people I know.
In the heat of battle
we had each other's backs.
We just saved
each other's lives
without even
thinking about it.
And that's exactly
what King Arthur did.
He made his enemies
his allies.
He united the warring
tribes of Britain
and formed a band
of loyal knights.
And together,
they defeated an enemy
bigger than all of them.
And think about it.
King Arthur's
most loyal knights
were called Lancelot,
Kay and Bedivere.
So?
So that's your names.
Oh, my God. He's right.
The legend says
Arthur's knights gathered
at a round table
so that they were all equal.
And look...
Quick, Bedders.
Lift up the flaps.
See? None of this
happened by accident.
This is destiny.
This was meant to be.
MORGANA: So they
think themselves knights?
How deluded they are.
MORTES MILLES: Deluded.
MORGANA: The boy,
Beddersvere, is meek.
MORTES MILLES: Meek.
MORGANA: Nothing
without his friend.
MORTES MILLES: Nothing.
MORGANA: The boy, Lance,
is greedy.
MORTES MILLES: Greedy.
MORGANA: He plans to take
the sword for himself.
MORTES MILLES: Take the sword.
MORGANA: The girl, Kaye,
is clever but callow.
MORTES MILLES: Callow.
MORGANA: Beholden to the boy.
And the boy himself,
he clings to myth.
Trusts in lies.
I will prey
on their weaknesses.
MORTES MILLES: Weaknesses.
MORGANA: Their faith
will crumble.
MORTES MILLES: Crumble.
MORGANA: Their hope
will turn to hate.
MORTES MILLES: Hate.
MORGANA: Their quest
will be their doom!
(GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
(TWITTERING)
(BIRD TWITTERS, SQUAWKS)
(HORN HONKS)
- (CAR HORNS BLARING)
- (PASSENGERS MUTTERING)
MAN: Oi! What do you think
you're doing?
(SNAPPING, CLAPPING)
MERLIN: Bravo, Alexander.
You've survived the night
unscathed,
emerged with two new allies,
and formulated
an excellent plan.
To journey to Tintagel,
find your long-lost father,
who will then help you find
the entrance to the Underworld
and destroy Morgana.
You think it's
an excellent plan? Really?
MERLIN: Of course it is.
Tintagel Island
is King Arthur's birthplace.
It is strong in magic.
The Mortes Milles
cannot touch you there.
Sir Lance, Lady Kaye.
A pleasure to make
your acquaintance.
Do us a favor, Mertin.
Don't talk to us. We're only
here for the fights.
That's hardly the attitude
of a knight, young man.
Where's your respect
for the Chivalric Code?
Don't tell me you've never
heard of the Chivalric Code.
Driver!
Stop this coach at once!
(PASSENGERS CHATTERING)
The Code is the cornerstone
of a civilized society,
the very credo upon which
this nation was built.
If you don't know the Code,
then this entire enterprise
is utterly hopeless!
LANCE: What the hell
is he on about?
Excuse me, but why are we
getting off the coach?
Shortcut.
Follow me. Quickly.
No slacking.
(SHEEP BLEATING)
Halt!
Now, pay close attention.
The Chivalric Code
is the set of rules
by which
all noble knights live.
Obeying the Code from
the moment the sword is drawn
is what makes you
pure of heart.
And only a knight of
pure heart can slay Morgana.
You must commit
the following to memory.
Rule one.
Honor those you love.
Easy.
Yeah, because
you love yourself.
Rule two.
Refrain from wanton offense.
What's "wanton"?
- It's Chinese food, I think.
- It is not Chinese food.
"Wanton" means deliberate
or unprovoked.
It means don't be rude or
swear or be nasty to people.
All right. Don't look at me.
MERLIN: Rule three.
Speak the truth at all times.
Easy, again.
That's a lie.
And finally, rule four.
Persevere in any enterprise
until the end.
Break any of these rules
from the moment
the sword was drawn,
and your quest is lost
before it has even begun.
I trust that is not a problem.
(SIGHS)
LANCE: Oi! Mini Merlin!
What are you doing?
We're not walking to Cornwall!
MERLIN: Indeed, we are not.
TOUR GUIDE: And for centuries,
historians have puzzled over
the purpose of Stonehenge.
Was it a temple?
A burial ground?
Some sort of
astrological clock?
No, it is not,
you ignorant buffoon!
Stonehenge is
a transport hub.
And just because the Romans
knocked half of it down,
does not mean it's broken.
- TOUR GUIDE: Uh, excuse me!
- (SNAPPING)
The general public's
not permitted
to approach the stones without
the correct authorization!
(TOURIST MUTTERING)
Hey, wait!
Security! Security!
LANCE: Come on!
(TOURISTS EXCLAIMING)
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
MERLIN:
You see? They're all linked.
All the Paleolithic standing
stones in the country.
Built as a magical
conveyance system,
designed by yours truly.
We are now on Bodmin Moor,
140 miles from Stonehenge
and a mere, invigorating
20-mile walk due west
to Tintagel Island!
- (INHALES) Ah...
- (THUNDER RUMBLES)
- KAYE: What did he just say?
- Did he say a 20-mile walk?
The most worthwhile path,
my young friends,
is seldom the easiest.
- ALEX: Come on, Bedders.
- BEDDERS: I'm coming.
- KAYE: Come on, Lance!
- LANCE: I hate this already.
KAYE: This is further than
I've ever walked in my life.
If I could get a signal,
I'd be in an Uber, right now.
Perfect.
- Let us stop here awhile.
- Oh, thank God!
(ALL SIGH)
Not to rest.
- To train!
- LANCE: What?
Alexander, hand me the sword.
To learn the basics
of swordcraft,
you will need a weapon, each.
A simple duplication spell
for metallic objects
should suffice.
What are you doing, boy?
I do magic tricks for a hobby,
but I'm no good
at duplication illusions.
So, I'm gonna video what
you do and try and copy it.
I'll be most impressed
if you succeed.
(SNAPPING)
BEDDERS: Wow!
Now, you have
an army to fight,
a demon to slay,
a country to save.
So, let us begin.
Your weapons are heavy
and cumbersome,
but you are light and agile.
Use this to your advantage.
A grown warrior cannot block
their whole body
with their blade.
Nor can they use its weight
to hasten their speed.
Use your wits.
Be brave and resolute.
And... good luck.
Good luck with what?
What's he doing?
(TREES CREAKING)
(LANCE GROANS)
(CREAKING)
MERLIN: I'll fetch some food.
A reward for once you've
vanquished your foes.
LANCE: I'm not
vanquishing anything.
(SCOFFS) That's it for me.
I'm off.
Oi! Get off me!
(GRUNTS)
(PANTING)
KAYE: Hey!
BEDDERS: Block the branches.
- They're teaching us.
- I know. (YELLS)
(GRUNTS)
Come on then!
You want it?
Try some of this!
Ah!
Look what it's doing.
Gotcha!
(GRUNTS)
MORGANA: Their quest
will be their doom.
The sword must be mine.
MORTES MILLES:
(ECHOING) Must be mine.
(GRUNTING)
Help! Something's got me.
Bedders, watch out!
MORGANA: Meek.
(GRUNTING)
Lance! Kaye! Help!
ALEX: Help! Quickly!
It's gonna get the sword.
I'm suffocating! Help!
- BEDDERS: Help!
- LANCE: Hold them off.
ALEX: Help! Help us!
Lance, help.
MORGANA AND MORTES MILLES:
Take the sword and push.
Help me.
If you're
the once and future king,
you can help yourself.
No. Lance! No!
Lance!
BEDDERS: Lance!
What are you doing?
Help!
ALEX: They'll kill you.
They'll kill us all.
- Lance, help! Help!
- No!
Come on, then!
Come and get it.
Let's see what you've got,
you stupid twigs.
(RUMBLING, CRACKING)
(LANCE SCREAMS)
Help me!
I can't breathe! Help!
KAYE: It's pulling me under!
- Help! I can't breathe!
- Bedders! Lance!
- LANCE: Help me!
- Kaye!
Help!
(KAYE SCREAMS)
Merlin!
ALL: Merlin! Merlin!
LANCE: Merlin! Help us!
KAYE: I can't breathe!
LANCE: Merlin! Merlin!
Help us!
ALL: Merlin!
Help us! (YELLING)
Merlin!
KAYE: Help us!
I can't breathe!
BEDDERS: Merlin. Look.
Quickly!
ALEX: Merlin!
Merlin.
Are you okay?
She's even stronger
than I feared.
We need beetle blood.
Ground animal bone.
Something to revive him.
It's no use. I'm finished.
Until sunrise, you are alone.
(GASPS)
- (SNEEZES)
- (TWITTERING)
- BEDDERS: Merlin. Don't go.
- (TWITTERS)
ALEX: Merlin.
If you'd helped me,
we could've fought them off.
You nearly got us all killed.
Give me the sword.
No chance.
Like I told you...
I'm the king around here.
(PANTING)
ALEX: Kaye, please.
BEDDERS: What are we
gonna do, Alex?
Merlin's not coming
back till sunrise.
The Mortes Milles
will come for us at sunset.
And we haven't even
- got the sword.
- Bedders.
Please, I'm trying to think.
Stop talking.
No.
You always tell me
to stop talking,
and what I'm saying
is always right.
And this time...
This time I'm gonna do
something about it.
Bedders, wait!
KAYE: The water's
getting deeper.
LANCE: I don't care.
Give him back the sword.
(SIGHS)
It's not yours. Alex drew it.
It chose him. It's his.
Here we go again.
(GRUNTS)
That'll teach him.
ALEX: Leave him alone!
I said, leave him alone.
Why should we?
Because you always
ruin everything.
Because you're a liar
and a cheat and a bully.
You're a bad person.
I wish I'd never
asked you to join in.
All you ever cared about
is yourself.
LANCE: Yeah? So what if I do?
ALEX: I know why
you're a bully
and a cheat and a liar.
I know why both of you are.
It's because you're scared.
You're scared
you're a nothing. A nobody.
You're scared you're not gonna
get anywhere or be anyone.
You think all that matters
is how strong you are
and how much money you've got.
Why don't you
shut up and fight?
But it shouldn't be like that.
That's why the sword came.
That's what we're
trying to change.
Yeah? Well, who made you
better than everyone else?
Who made you king?
(BOTH GRUNT)
(GASPS)
Lance, no!
(CLANG ECHOES)
(PANTING)
You broke it.
You broke Excalibur.
You broke everything.
That's right.
Walk away.
Look after yourself,
just like you always do.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe he is a liar
and a cheat and a bully.
Maybe he is scared
and selfish.
Maybe we both are.
But why wouldn't we be?
That is how the world works.
Nothing you or anyone does
is ever gonna change that.
I'm sorry we picked on you.
I'm sorry he broke the sword.
But we're not knights.
We never were,
and we never will be.
You're better off without us.
ALEX: No. You're wrong.
We can't do this without you.
You're Sir Lancelot
and Lady Kaye.
We need you!
BEDDERS: It's too late.
No, it's not.
Give me my book.
The book always knows
what to do.
The Lady of the Lake,
Excalibur's guardian.
She's in every body of water.
So maybe she's in this one.
If I'm the once
and future king...
if Lance and Kaye and Bedders
are my loyal and brave
and worthy knights,
and if this is our destiny...
then, Lady of the Lake...
return Excalibur.
(SIGHS)
LANCE: I thought something
magic was gonna happen.
Oh, well.
It was worth a try.
Hey.
- Hey!
- KAYE: Alex!
Bedders!
BEDDERS: Wow.
I think that's yours.
And this is yours.
(WIND WHISTLING)
BEDDERS: We're dry.
From now on,
we stick together.
As equals.
No dishonor. No lying.
No wanton offense.
And no giving up.
Swear it.
I swear.
I swear.
I thought we weren't
supposed to swear.
ALEX: Lance.
(ALL PANTING)
WOMAN: Hey.
Are you kids okay?
Thank you. Thank you, God.
WOMAN: You look like
you've been through the wars.
What was it, then?
Activity day? School trip?
Did you get separated
or something?
ALEX: Listen...
this is gonna sound
really weird,
but if all four of us
and these ponies disappear,
don't worry.
I promise we'll
get them back to you.
I beg your pardon?
KAYE: Whoa.
They just vanished.
Alex, the sword.
Guys, I think we're gonna
have to learn how to ride.
LANCE: These ponies
are way too small.
They're for little girls.
Those dead things
were double the size.
KAYE: Do it like
show jumpers on TV.
Left rein to go left,
right rein to go right,
bounce up and down
in the saddle.
- They're coming. I can feel it.
- (RUMBLING)
MORTES MILLES: Meek.
(WHIMPERS) They're here!
(MORTES MILLES SHRIEKING)
KAYE: They're right
behind us.
ALEX: Go, go, gallop!
LANCE: I don't know what
I'm doing.
BEDDERS: I can't do this!
I'm gonna fall off!
MORTES MILLES: Greedy. Greedy.
Callow.
(KAYE YELLS)
This way, into the forest!
The trees will slow them down!
LANCE: Come on,
my little pony. Go faster!
KAYE: They're catching up!
(MORTES MILLES GROWLING)
His quest will be his doom.
I got one!
BEDDERS: He got one!
(YELLS, GRUNTS)
Bedders has fallen off!
Go get him.
We'll distract them.
They'll follow the sword.
Bedders, I'm coming for you!
- (MORTES MILLES GROWLS)
- (GASPS)
(GRUNTS)
Meek.
(MORTES MILLES SHRIEKING)
LANCE: Faster, Alex! Faster.
Nothing.
(KAYE YELLS)
(BEDDERS GRUNTS)
Come on, Bedders.
- (PONY GRUNTS)
- BEDDERS: Go, go!
(GASPING)
(MORTES MILLES SNARLING)
Bedders, you made it.
(MORTES MILLES SHRIEKS)
BEDDERS: Oh, no.
ALEX: Jump!
(WHIMPERING)
(GRUNTS)
(CHUCKLES)
BEDDERS: I did it! I did it!
ALEX: Ride!
As fast as you can.
(MORTES MILLES ROARING)
(MORTES MILLES SNARLING)
ALEX: I've got an idea.
Get off. Follow me.
- LANCE: What's he doing?
- BEDDERS: Alex!
(SNARLING, SHRIEKING)
KAYE: Let's go!
(KAYE SCREAMS)
(MORTES MILLES GROWLING)
(ALL PANTING)
BEDDERS: There it is.
Tintagel Island.
You know...
we really should
huddle together for warmth.
No way. I'm not huddling
with anyone.
I don't huddle.
(SEAGULLS CRYING)
BEDDERS:
Good luck, Alex.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(KNOCKS ON DOOR)
(DOG BARKING)
Stay. Stay.
ALEX: Hello.
I wonder if you can help me.
My name's Alexander Elliot.
I'm looking for my father.
WOMAN: You don't remember me,
do you?
I'm Sophie.
I'm your aunt.
I'm your dad's sister.
Sorry if I'm staring,
but you look just like him.
I have to talk to him.
It's important.
More important than anything
in the world.
You came all the way here
from London by yourself?
Does your mum even know
you're here?
All right,
then we have to call her.
No, this is nothing
to do with her.
Please don't.
This is something
I have to do on my own.
Well, what did your mum
tell you about him?
She said they were too young
when they had me.
He had other things
going on in his life.
She said he was
battling demons.
I didn't know what
she meant...
but I do now.
You do?
It's okay. You don't
have to lie to me.
I know who he really was.
Then why would you
want to find him?
What do you mean?
He drank.
He was angry at everything
and everyone.
He wasn't a good man, Alex.
He lived here
for a while, years back.
That's when your mum
brought you to see him.
She thought he might've
changed, but he hadn't.
I don't even know
where he is anymore.
Like you said,
he had his demons.
But I meant real demons.
Magical demons,
like King Arthur fought.
Like in the book he gave me.
You don't understand.
I'm the once and future king,
and he knew.
He wrote me this message
and he's waiting for me.
SOPHIE: But, Alex...
your mum bought you this book.
This is her writing.
- BOY: I want it!
- GIRL: Mine!
- BOY: I wanna be king.
- GIRL: I wanna be queen.
BOY 2: I wanna be a king.
Alex, what happened?
- Did you find him?
- What did he say?
My dad's not here.
And he's not a hero.
He didn't care about me.
And he didn't want to know me.
He didn't even
give me the book.
My mum lied to me.
It's all a lie.
I hate her!
(GRUNTS)
(SOBS)
Hey, Alex.
I have to show you something.
Hold out your hand.
Now squeeze
as hard as you can.
(SNAPPING, CLAPPING)
(COINS CLINK)
(COINS CLINK)
And open your hand.
I did it. I couldn't sleep,
so I practiced and practiced,
and now I can do it.
I can do real magic.
You can't give up,
it's not allowed.
We're Han and Chewie,
Frodo and Samwise.
We can't give up because...
look how far we've come.
He's right.
You've survived three nights
against the Mortes Milles.
Hundreds of them.
All leathery and on fire,
with their faces half
falling off and everything.
You got us here.
You turned us from enemies
into allies,
just like King Arthur did,
just like in the legend.
You drew Excalibur, Alex.
Nothing else matters.
ADULT MERLIN: This book
you covet, Alexander...
Not bad.
Pretty illustrations, but...
(CLEARS THROAT)
...not entirely accurate.
Remember, legends
are mere rumors
whispered down the centuries.
Written and rewritten,
told and retold.
Sometimes by
the rich and powerful
so they can hold on to power.
The sword doesn't care
who your parents are.
It doesn't choose
by birth or blood, Alexander,
but by heart and mind.
If your legends say different,
then perhaps...
you must write them anew.
But we're right back
where we started.
We don't know where the
entrance to the Underworld is
and there's only one more
night until the eclipse.
You're a king, Alexander.
A leader, not a follower.
You need nothing
but that which
you already have.
- (SNEEZES)
- (POPPING)
I've got it.
I know. I know where it is.
WOMAN: That's lovely.
(CROWD CHATTERING)
ALEX: Excuse me, please.
Sorry, this is an emergency.
KAYE: Sorry.
LANCE: Stand back, please.
We're on a mission.
Clear some space,
quick as you can. Thank you.
It's the same place.
Glastonbury Tor.
BEDDERS: That's where
Arthur fought Morgana.
Lance, Kaye,
go along the cliff,
find the horses
and tie them up
at the top of the high street,
then meet us
at the amusement arcade.
Bedders, you come with me.
We're knights.
We've got a quest to finish.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(GAMES BEEPING)
ALEX: All clear.
Do it, Bedders. Go.
(SNAPPING, CLAPPING)
It's working.
- Bedders, you're a genius.
- (COINS CLINKING)
(COINS CLINKING)
- BEDDERS: Hello.
- LANCE: Hello.
KAYE: Hello.
ALEX: We'd like to buy
some armor, please.
KAYE: Do you take 50p pieces?
(GRUNTS)
(SNORTS)
(BIRD CALLING)
The sun sets.
And if you do not defeat her,
then it sets
for the last time.
For tomorrow, the moon masks
the sun and all is lost.
MERLIN:
This battle is yours, not mine.
Journey with care...
be brave, chivalrous...
and remember the Code.
(WIND WHISTLING)
There's no doorway.
There's nothing here.
I don't understand.
(HIGH-PITCHED HUMMING)
Alex, look.
Let me try something.
- (GRUNTS)
- (RUMBLING)
(DISTANT CRASH)
BEDDERS: (ECHOING)
This is too creepy.
KAYE: It's like no one's
been down here for centuries.
ALEX: Not since the Dark Ages,
when Arthur trapped Morgana.
We're the very first.
BEDDERS: Four doorways.
KAYE: Maybe we take one each.
What if it's a trick?
What if she's trying
to separate us?
Right. We should stick
together, whatever happens.
But... which door?
Wait. The sword will tell us.
(HIGH-PITCHED HUMMING)
It's this way,
behind the vines.
(GRUNTING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(ROOTS CREAKING)
Look at the walls.
They're moving.
LANCE: They're coming for us.
BEDDERS: They're everywhere!
(ALL GRUNTING)
Stay close. Form a circle.
KAYE: There's too many!
- (BEDDERS SCREAMS)
- Lance! (GRUNTS)
(WHIMPERS)
- (SCREAMS)
- Kaye!
BEDDERS: Alex!
ALEX: They've got me!
Alex, look!
(PANTING)
- (ROOTS CREAKING)
- LANCE: You have to go. Now.
I'll hold them off.
Now!
Go get her!
(GRUNTING)
(GRUNTS)
(GASPS)
(LAVA BUBBLING)
(GRUNTING)
(PANTING)
Alex! Alex, we're up here!
Alex!
She's here! Be careful!
(ECHOING) Let them go!
(GASPS)
(SIGHS, PANTS)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(GASPS)
MORGANA: Welcome, boy.
MORTES MILLES: (ECHOING) Boy.
MORGANA:
I've been watching you.
MORTES MILLES: (ECHOING) You.
MORGANA:
You've traveled so far.
MORTES MILLES: So far.
MORGANA: Fought so bravely.
MORTES MILLES: Bravely.
I've seen your world.
How you live.
The myths you believe.
Who you trust.
It's all lies.
Merlin lied to you.
Your mother lied to you.
You have no noble blood,
you have no army.
You can't win.
(SWORD HUMS)
(SNARLS)
The world is rotten,
Alexander.
That's not true!
Oh, but it is.
(VOICE DISTORTING)
You sought the truth, child,
and you have found it.
- You are nothing...
- MORTES MILLES: Nothing.
- ...but a lowborn serf.
- MORTES MILLES: Serf.
- MORGANA: Know your place.
- MORTES MILLES: Place.
MORGANA: I am
the last living Pendragon.
(ROARS)
(GASPS)
(GRUNTS)
(PANTING)
(SNARLS)
(PANTING)
- (ROARS)
- (GASPS)
(ALEX GASPS)
The land is mine.
The sword is mine.
You are mine.
(BREATHING SHAKILY)
You're right.
(GULPS)
I'm nothing.
Take it.
(ALEX GRUNTS)
(SHRIEKING)
(RUMBLING)
(ALEX YELLS, GRUNTS)
(ALL YELLING)
(GASPING)
Lance, Bedders, Kaye, quickly!
This way! Hurry!
(ALL GRUNTING)
(ALL GRUNTING)
(ALL PANTING)
I think we did it.
That was amazing.
All hail the once
and future king.
No, please don't.
Really, it's embarrassing.
If they catch us
with Excalibur,
they'll take it away.
- We can't risk it.
- LANCE: You're right.
BEDDERS: Is the Lady of the Lake
really in every body of water
in the whole of Britain?
KAYE: Like, even
in a swimming pool?
- LANCE: Or a bucket of water?
- KAYE: Or a puddle?
ALEX: Stand back.
(GRUNTS)
(SWORD HUMS)
Guess that's a "yes," then.
LANCE: See you, sword.
ALEX: See you when we see you.
BEDDERS:
Where are you going, Alex?
Aren't you going home?
ALEX: I'm going over the walls.
Then through the back window.
BEDDERS: Why?
I can't face her, Bedders.
Not tonight. I'm too tired.
BEDDERS: What are you going
to tell her?
ALEX: The same as you.
The truth.
BEDDERS: They won't believe us.
No one will.
ALEX: So what?
It's over now.
Good night, Sir Beddersvere.
That was a great adventure.
Yeah, it really was.
Good night,
Your Highness-ness.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
- (BIRD TWITTERING)
- (THUD)
(TWITTERING)
- (THUD)
- (BIRD SQUAWKS)
(TWITTERING)
- (SQUAWKS)
- (GRUNTING)
It didn't work.
She's not dead.
No.
You merely wounded her.
Her fury and resolve
are doubled
and the eclipse
is in six hours.
But why? I did everything
you told me to do.
Think, boy. Think!
The Code.
It must be the Code.
But... I refrained
from wanton offense.
I spoke the truth
at all times.
I persevered...
"Honor those you love."
Mum.
Alex.
(MUM SIGHS)
How could you do this?
The police have been
looking for you.
I've been worried sick.
(SOBS)
Oh, thank God you're back.
Mum, I've got something
to tell you.
We went on a quest
to Tintagel.
I met my Aunt Sophie.
I know. She called.
I know you lied to me
about the book.
I know...
he didn't even sign it.
You did.
I know Dad didn't care
about neither of us.
I'm so sorry, Alex.
I'm sorry I lied, I just...
I... I just... I wanted you
to believe he was good.
I thought that if you
knew the truth,
it would hurt you, change you.
No, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I was
angry with you.
Nothing's your fault.
Nothing.
You were just trying
to protect me.
But you don't need to anymore.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
There's something
I have to do.
I have to go to school.
And I have to take the sword.
Alex...
we have to have a serious talk
about that sword
and this whole
King Arthur thing.
We will. But I have to
show you something first.
Everything I said
about the sword is true.
I can prove it.
But first, we have to promise
never to lie to each other
ever again.
To always trust each other,
whatever happens.
Do you promise?
I promise.
I promise, too.
Now, don't freak out, okay?
Lady of the Lake...
this is Alexander Elliot.
If my quest is noble and true,
please return Excalibur.
(MUM GASPS)
(EXHALES)
ALEX: All the time I was
telling you to obey the Code,
I'd broken it myself.
Morgana's not dead.
- KAYE: Oh, no.
- LANCE: You're kidding.
She's coming back...
into the real world.
That's why we need defenses.
A fortress, a castle.
The Mortes Milles will rise
from the land
across the roadway.
They'll attack head-on
in a great and terrible
multitude.
ALEX: The eclipse gives us
one advantage.
It's not night or day.
So this time,
Merlin can fight beside us.
But the five of us won't stand
a chance on our own.
We need to raise an army.
(STUDENTS SHOUTING)
PRINCIPAL: I'm relying on you
three to set a good example.
So when the entire school's
out in the playground
watching the eclipse,
everyone behaves themselves.
Is that clear?
- BOYS: Yes, Miss.
- GIRL: Okay, Miss.
PRINCIPAL: Why are all these
children walking towards us?
And what on earth
are you children doing,
turning up to school
in the middle of the morning
dressed like that?
Saving Britain
from eternal slavery
by an ancient,
undead evil, Miss.
(SNAPPING, CLAPPING)
(STUDENTS CHATTERING)
Break is over. Quickly
and quietly fall in line.
Get in line. Break is over.
Everyone, gather round.
Quickly now.
This boy has
a very important announcement.
My name is Alexander Elliot.
A few days ago,
I found a sword in a stone.
Then I found out it wasn't
just any sword in a stone,
it was the Sword
in the Stone...
Excalibur.
(LAUGHTER)
I know, I know,
I know it sounds ridiculous,
but it's true,
and I can prove it.
This boy, Mertin,
is really the wizard, Merlin.
- (STUDENTS MUTTERING)
- And if you don't believe me,
then just watch.
(INHALES)
- (SNEEZES)
- (TWITTERING)
(STUDENTS EXCLAIMING)
(STUDENTS GASP)
- How humiliating.
- (STUDENTS CHATTERING)
Quiet. Quiet. Listen.
This country is in danger.
A sorceress called Morgana
has been sleeping
under our soil for centuries,
waiting for her moment
to return and enslave us.
And that moment has come.
In two hours,
there will be an eclipse.
Morgana and her army
of undead knights
will attack the school.
We need you
to help us defeat her.
All you have to do is kneel
and let Alex knight you.
Everyone who does
gets a sword and armor.
KAYE: This isn't a game.
This is 100% for real.
Flaming swords,
fire-breathing horses.
So, don't step up
unless you're ready.
Me and Bedders
used to hate Lance and Kaye.
And they hated us.
We were sworn enemies.
But now we know
that's how evil tricks you.
It turns people
against each other
to distract them from itself.
Because it knows
that if we fight together,
it doesn't stand a chance.
So, who will stand
with us today?
Who will stand up
to save their friends,
their future, their country?
Who will join us?
- (MURMURING)
- STUDENT: Nah.
(WHISPERING) Activa.
And, by the way,
this is instead of
lessons today.
(CHEERING)
Excuse me, Pam, forgive us
if we're speaking out of turn.
I thought we were taking an
hour out to watch the eclipse.
No one said anything about any
kind of historical reenactment.
My Year 11's are meant to be
off-timetable
- for intensive revision.
- (OVERLAPPING SHOUTING)
I just had all of these
made up.
Ladies and gentlemen!
If I could have your attention
for a moment...
(SNAPPING, CLAPPING)
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
ALEX: What's your name?
BOY: Hector.
I knight thee, Sir Hector.
Take a shield.
Take a shield,
move on to the next table.
(SNAPPING, CLAPPING)
Take a sword. Good.
Take a sword.
Set the barricades!
Lay the ropes!
Go, go, go!
Tie two ropes
on each vaulting horse.
Quick as you can,
then get ready to hoist!
Excuse me,
ladies and gentlemen,
I don't suppose
I could possibly borrow
everyone's car keys, could I?
(KEYS JANGLING)
Come on.
First car on the left.
You guys, first on the right.
Keep it moving. Well done.
One set of keys each. Go.
Good.
- Go. Go.
- (CAR LOCKS BEEP)
ALEX: And one!
BEDDERS: Left block.
ALEX: And two!
BEDDERS: Upper block.
ALEX: And three!
LANCE: Right block.
ALEX: And four!
BEDDERS: Legs wide.
ALEX: And five!
KAYE: Use the weight
of the sword.
MERLIN: You must lure her.
Trap her.
Give me time to open a portal.
Create a vortex.
Then you must destroy her
so that she can never return.
It won't be easy, Alex.
We can do it, Merlin.
We don't have any choice.
We have to do it.
(MORTES MILLES GROWLING)
(SHRIEKS)
(ROARING, SNARLING)
All battalions, stand by.
This is it. Good luck.
- KAYE: Prepare for battle!
- STUDENTS: Prepare for battle!
(ROARING)
KAYE:
They're through the gates.
Wait for it. Wait for it.
Now! Go! Go! Go!
LANCE: Go! Go!
(TIRES SQUEAL)
(KAYE AND LANCE SCREAM)
- (BREATHING HEAVILY)
- (MORTES MILLES SNARLING)
KAYE: Reverse! Reset!
Reposition!
LANCE: I've never driven
backwards before!
KAYE: No!
LANCE: Damn!
KAYE: Warn Bedders' battalion!
They're coming through!
- Pull! Pull!
- STUDENTS: Pull!
Pull!
Charge!
(STUDENTS SHOUTING)
(GRUNTS)
(SNARLING)
Drop the horses! One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
Charge!
(STUDENTS SHOUTING)
(ROARS)
(GRUNTS)
- (KAYE GRUNTING)
- (STUDENTS SHOUTING)
(GRUNTING)
- (LANCE GRUNTS)
- (SHRIEKS)
(GROWLS)
(GRUNTS)
- (BIRD CRIES)
- BOY: We need more men!
(BOY SHOUTING)
(KAYE AND LANCE GRUNTING)
- (TWITTERING)
- (ALL YELLING)
ALEX: Get back!
- BOY: Hold the line!
- GIRL: Retreat!
Sir Lance and Lady Kaye
are overwhelmed!
Sir Beddersvere fights
man-to-man!
(MORTES MILLES SNARLS)
Sound the retreat! Fall back!
Meet on the roof!
There's too many of them.
(SNARLING)
- (MERLIN SNEEZES)
- (BIRD SQUAWKING)
- BOY 1: Fall back! Fall back!
- BOY 2: Retreat now! Now!
(SQUAWKING)
LANCE: Move!
KAYE: Quicker!
Come on!
(SNARLING, ROARING)
- Barricade!
- KAYE: Barricade!
- Barricade!
- KAYE AND LANCE: Barricade!
- Barricade!
- KAYE AND LANCE: Barricade!
- ALEX: Build the barricade!
- KAYE: Quickly!
ALEX: Quickly!
LANCE: My battalion,
to the far corner.
- Come on. Take cover.
- ALEX: Come on. Take cover.
(OVERLAPPING SHOUTING)
LANCE: Keep moving!
Good work! Go!
- KAYE: Quickly.
- ALEX: Over there! Run!
LANCE: Good work! Go!
(MORTES MILLES SNARLING)
BEDDERS: There's thousands
of them.
- KAYE: Where's Morgana?
- (THUDDING)
The barricade
won't hold for long.
Maybe she's not coming.
Maybe it's over.
(DISTANT SNARLING)
Where's Merlin?
MORGANA: Hello, Merlin.
You've hardly aged a day.
- (HISSES)
- (CHOKING)
An army of children.
Did you think I might
take pity on them?
After all these years,
this is your plan?
(INHALES)
(SNEEZES)
There you are.
You have no pity.
These children have
more goodness and nobility
than you can ever comprehend.
But, Merlin,
I have seen them
in their heated hovels,
with their toys
and trivialities,
with their ignorance
of nature,
of magic.
Do you think these little rats
are worthy of this land?
Of that sword?
Of my inheritance?
- ALEX: Merlin.
- LANCE: Merlin!
Yes, I do.
You and I are history,
Morgana.
The future is theirs,
not ours.
(VOICE DISTORTING)
They have no future.
(ROARS)
ALEX: Let's go!
Ready your ropes!
- (SNEEZES)
- (BIRD TWITTERS)
(ALL SCREAM)
(STUDENTS YELLING IN DISTANCE)
Alex, don't die.
I'll do my best.
(MORGANA SNARLS)
(GRUNTS)
Hey, come and get it!
Over here! Come and get it!
(GRUNTS)
Bedders! Now!
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
(GROANING)
(GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
(SNARLS)
(YELLS)
Help me!
KAYE: Go!
- (SCREAMS)
- (STUDENTS YELL)
- KAYE: Pull it!
- (BEDDERS GASPS)
- (STUDENTS YELLING)
- BEDDERS: Pull! Pull!
(BIRD SCREECHING)
(ROARS)
BEDDERS: Take cover!
- BOY: Come on!
- (OVERLAPPING SHOUTS)
ALEX: Hey!
(SCREAMING)
(YELLS)
(GRUNTS)
Hey!
(CLANGING)
(ROARS)
(STUDENTS YELLING)
Hey!
(GRUNTS)
Lance, Kaye, now!
Choke her.
Stop her breathing fire!
(MORGANA ROARING)
- LANCE: Ready?
- Do it!
(BOTH YELL)
(BOTH YELL)
(MORGANA ROARS)
(BOTH GRUNT)
(CHOKING)
LANCE: Grab the rope!
Back me up!
KAYE: Hurry! Come on!
- Pull! Harder! Pull!
- (ALL YELLING)
(CHOKING)
- (STUDENTS YELLING)
- LANCE: Don't let go!
Merlin, we've got her!
We're ready!
(BIRD SCREECHING)
(SQUAWKS)
Merlin!
(SQUAWKS WEAKLY)
Someone throw me a jacket!
BOY: Get him a jacket!
Merlin, speak to me!
Are you okay?
I'm sorry.
(COUGHS)
I've nothing left.
(COUGHS)
I've failed you.
No, not yet, you haven't.
Magic potion. Quickly.
Ice cream, cherryade
and chicken nuggets...
liquidized.
(COUGHS)
(YELLING)
Alex, we can't hold her
for much longer!
(STUDENTS SHOUTING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(MORGANA ROARS)
(STUDENTS YELL)
(SNAPPING, CLAPPING)
(BUZZING, CRACKLING)
(WHOOSHING)
(SHRIEKING)
(ROARS)
(PANTING)
(ROARS)
(YELLS, GRUNTS)
- (SHRIEKS)
- (PANTING)
- (GRUNTS)
- (SHRIEKS)
(ALEX EXCLAIMS)
(GASPING)
(CHOKING)
- (CRUNCHING)
- (SCREAMS)
(ALEX YELLS, GRUNTS)
(VORTEX WHOOSHES, CRACKLES)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(PANTING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(STUDENTS CHEERING)
KAYE: So great!
You were so good.
LANCE: Well done! Well done!
ALEX: Congratulations,
we did it. You did it.
Well fought. We did it.
Well done!
- MERLIN: Bravo! Congratulations.
- Yes!
Heroes! Heroes all!
- Yes, yes! Heroes!
- Woo!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
ALEX: Well done! Well fought!
Well fought!
MERLIN: I've seen
many great battles in my time.
The siege of Guinnion Fort,
the Saxons halted
on Badon Hill.
But believe me,
none were fought as bravely
as yours against Morgana
and the Mortes Milles.
You have truly surpassed
my every expectation.
Merlin, we won the battle,
but Britain's still the same
place it was before.
Yeah, how can we ever
change anything else?
And, even with the sword,
who's ever gonna listen to us?
It's true. We're just kids.
That may be so.
Yet know this.
There is a wise, old soul
within every child.
(SNEEZES)
(GASPS)
And a foolish child
in every old soul.
Perhaps you have
more battles yet to fight.
They may not be against demons
or undead knights,
or won with swords or armies.
But even if you do not
wield Excalibur,
you will still know
what it stands for...
what you stand for.
Sir Beddersvere,
I gave you the power
of metal duplication.
I was going to take
it away, but now,
I believe you can be
trusted with it.
Really? Seriously?
Thank you, Merlin!
I promise I'll never use it
for anything but good.
Sir Lance, Lady Kaye,
you are brave,
loyal and noble.
You have learned
to fight for others,
not just fight for yourselves.
You are truly Knights
of the Round Table.
Thank you, Merlin.
Thank you, Merlin.
Alexander, I borrowed
this book of yours,
made a few alterations.
(GASPS)
(EXHALES)
Thanks, Merlin.
A land is only as good
as its leaders.
And you will make
excellent leaders.
(EXHALES)
(GRUNTS)