Merlin: Episode 1 - The Young Sorcerer
Logline: A clumsy but magically gifted young man named Merlin arrives in Camelot, a kingdom where magic is outlawed, and finds himself unexpectedly bound to the arrogant Prince Arthur when a dangerous magical threat targets the royal family.
FADE IN:
EXT. SMALL VILLAGE - DAY
Wind whips through a sparse, humble village. MERLIN (18), earnest, with a mop of unruly dark hair, strains, grunting, trying to lift a heavy wooden barrel onto a cart. He pushes, heaves, but it won't budge.
Suddenly, a gust of invisible force – woosh – lifts the barrel effortlessly onto the cart. Merlin stumbles back, wide-eyed, a mixture of frustration and bewildered awe on his face.
HUNITH (40s), Merlin's mother, a kind but weary woman, approaches him.
HUNITH
(Softly)
It's growing stronger, isn't it, son?
Merlin just shakes his head, sighing.
MERLIN
I didn't even mean to. It just... happens.
HUNITH
This place is no longer safe for you. Not with what you carry. I've written to Gaius in Camelot. He was… an old friend. He'll know what to do.
She hands him a tattered, sealed letter. Merlin looks at the distant, imposing silhouette of Camelot, barely visible on the horizon.
MERLIN
Camelot? But magic is outlawed there. The King…
HUNITH
(Firmly)
Precisely. It's the last place anyone would look for a sorcerer. And Gaius is a physician. He'll keep you hidden.
Merlin clutches the letter, a knot of fear and apprehension tightening in his stomach.
FADE OUT.
EXT. CAMELOT GATES - DAY
FADE IN.
Merlin stands, awestruck, before the magnificent, towering gates of Camelot. Knights in gleaming armour patrol the walls. The sheer scale and grandeur are overwhelming. Citizens bustle in and out.
A large, weathered PROCLAMATION BOARD is nailed to a pillar beside the gate. Merlin reads the stark lettering: "BY ROYAL DECREE: ANY PERSON PRACTICING SORCERY WITHIN THE REALM OF CAMELOT SHALL BE PUT TO DEATH."
He swallows hard, clutching Hunith's letter tighter.
INT. GAIUS'S CHAMBERS - DAY
Merlin navigates a labyrinthine corridor to a heavy wooden door. He knocks hesitantly.
The door creaks open. The chambers are a chaotic symphony of the bizarre: dried herbs hanging from the rafters, bubbling concoctions, jars of pickled organs, anatomical sketches. GAIUS (60s), the court physician, a slight man with sharp eyes and a perpetually bemused expression, peers over spectacles perched on his nose.
GAIUS
(Gruffly)
Yes? What is it? You're not ill, are you? I'm not a public clinic.
MERLIN
I… I have a letter. From Hunith.
Gaius's eyes widen imperceptibly. He takes the letter, breaking the seal. His eyes scan the parchment, then fix on Merlin with a new intensity. He sniffs the air around Merlin.
GAIUS
(Muttering)
Hmm. Yes, I see. A strong current. Quite strong.
He looks Merlin up and down, a flicker of something ancient and knowing in his eyes.
GAIUS
(Sighs)
Very well. Hunith was... a friend. You may stay. As my apprentice. But understand this, boy: magic is forbidden here. Utterly forbidden. If you so much as sneeze with an unusual glow, you'll be hanged. Do you understand?
Merlin nods vigorously, wide-eyed.
GAIUS
Good. Now, get me a jar of dried Mandrake root from that shelf. And try not to knock anything over. This place has seen enough chaos.
Merlin, eager to please, turns, arms outstretched.
INT. CAMELOT COURTYARD - DAY
Merlin, carrying a large, overflowing basket of herbs, rushes across the bustling courtyard. He's staring up at the magnificent castle walls, utterly distracted.
In the centre of the courtyard, PRINCE ARTHUR (19), muscular and arrogant in polished armour, is sparring with several knights. He moves with fluid grace, his sword a blur.
Merlin, not watching where he's going, crashes directly into Arthur. Herbs, roots, and baskets go flying.
Arthur, caught off balance, stumbles.
ARTHUR
(Scoffs, annoyed)
Watch where you're going, you clumsy oaf!
Merlin scrambles to pick up the scattered contents.
MERLIN
Oh, I am so sorry, my lord! I didn't see you.
Arthur looks down his nose at Merlin, utterly dismissive.
ARTHUR
Clearly. Get out of my way. You're a hazard.
He turns to walk away. Merlin, stung by the insult, feels a prickle of heat in his palms. Unthinking, he mutters under his breath.
MERLIN
Clumsy oaf, indeed.
Suddenly, Arthur's foot catches on nothing. He trips spectacularly, sprawling face-first into a pile of fresh hay. Knights snicker. Arthur pushes himself up, spitting hay, his face red with fury. He glares at Merlin, who stands frozen, eyes wide with horror at what he's just done.
ARTHUR
(ROARS)
You!
Merlin doesn't wait. He drops the rest of the herbs and bolts, disappearing into the crowd. Arthur stares after him, baffled and furious.
CUT TO:
INT. ROYAL FEAST HALL - NIGHT
A grand feast is underway. KING UTHER PENDRAGON (50s), stern and regal, sits at the head of the high table. Beside him, MORGANA (18), Uther's beautiful ward, sits with a thoughtful expression. GUINEVERE (GWEN) (17), her maid, stands discreetly nearby.
LADY ELENA (20s), a captivating, poised noblewoman from a visiting delegation, charms Uther with her elegant conversation.
Merlin, in a simple tunic, helps Gaius serve, moving clumsily among the tables.
Uther rises, raising a golden goblet.
UTHER
To the enduring peace between our kingdoms!
All raise their goblets. As Uther's goblet touches his lips, it shatters in his hand. Wine sprays. A collective gasp ripples through the hall.
Then, the candelabras on the tables flicker wildly, plunging parts of the hall into eerie shadow. Guests murmur in alarm.
Suddenly, a colossal chandelier hanging directly above the high table begins to creak ominously. It sways, then tears from its moorings, beginning to plummet towards Uther and his guests. Panic erupts. Screams fill the hall.
Merlin, standing near the high table, sees the descending behemoth. His eyes lock onto it. Instinct takes over. He raises his hand, almost imperceptibly. A faint, shimmering blue light emanates from him, invisible to all but Gaius, who glances at him sharply.
The chandelier slows its descent, almost defying gravity. Then, with a loud CRASH, it veers sharply, slamming into the floor next to the King's table, sending splinters and dust everywhere, but missing Uther by mere inches.
Uther, shaken but unharmed, pushes himself up, his face contorted with rage.
UTHER
(ROARING)
Sorcery! This is the work of sorcery! Find them! Find the wretch responsible!
Guards draw swords, fanning out. Gaius grabs Merlin, pulling him into a corner.
GAIUS
(Whispering fiercely)
What did you do?! I told you! Do you want to be hanged before you've even had a decent meal?!
Merlin is pale, trembling.
MERLIN
I... I didn't mean to. It just... it was going to hit him!
GAIUS
(Sighs, runs a hand over his face)
Never again, Merlin. Do you understand? Your life depends on it.
CUT TO:
INT. LADY ELENA'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT
Lady Elena, alone in her elegant room, stands before a small, ornate table. She holds a dark, shimmering crystal. Her beautiful face is contorted with a chilling malice.
LADY ELENA
(To herself, a cruel smile)
A taste of what's to come, dear Uther. Your reign of ignorance is coming to an end.
She closes her hand around the crystal, and a faint, dark smoke curls from her fist.
CUT TO:
INT. GAIUS'S CHAMBERS - DAY
Gaius is meticulously examining a splinter of wood from the crashed chandelier, using a magnifying glass. Merlin watches, fidgeting.
GAIUS
(Muttering)
Rare... and dark. This isn't common hedge magic, Merlin. This is powerful. Calculated.
MERLIN
Who would want to hurt the King?
GAIUS
Many. But few with the means to do this. We have a powerful sorcerer in Camelot. And they are not finished.
A knock at the door. It's Arthur.
ARTHUR
Gaius! My father requires a new poultice for his nerves. And you!
He points at Merlin.
ARTHUR
You're the clumsy idiot from the courtyard. I told my father about your insolence. He's decided you need to learn some discipline. You're my new manservant. Starting now.
Merlin's jaw drops.
MERLIN
What?! No! I'm Gaius's apprentice!
ARTHUR
(Smirks)
You were. Now you're mine. Father's orders. Report to my chambers at first light. And try not to burn the castle down on your way.
Arthur exits, clearly amused. Merlin stares after him, horrified. Gaius suppresses a knowing smirk.
GAIUS
(To himself)
Destiny has a strange way of finding its path.
CUT TO:
EXT. CAMELOT CASTLE GROUNDS - DAY
Arthur, accompanied by a small retinue, is inspecting the castle walls. Merlin, reluctantly, follows a few paces behind, carrying Arthur's cloak and sword. Their banter is sharp.
MERLIN
You know, my lord, for a prince, you're remarkably... bossy.
ARTHUR
(Without looking back)
And for a manservant, you're remarkably mouthy. Try to keep up, Merlin. Or should I call you "Clumsy"?
MERLIN
(Muttering)
"Clumsy" sounds better than "Arrogant Prat."
Suddenly, the ground around them shakes violently. A section of the castle wall begins to crack and crumble above them. Stones the size of boulders rain down.
ARTHUR
(Shouts)
Incoming!
He shoves a knight out of the way, drawing his sword to deflect a smaller rock. Merlin sees a massive stone hurtling towards Arthur. There's no time to think.
Merlin instinctively throws out his hand. A subtle, almost invisible pulse of energy radiates from him. The falling stone pauses in mid-air for a split second, then is deflected with unnatural force, crashing harmlessly to the side.
Arthur, who had braced for impact, blinks. He glances back at the spot where the stone should have hit, then at Merlin, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes.
ARTHUR
What was that?
MERLIN
(Stammering)
I... I think... the wind! Yes, a very strong gust! Unusually strong.
Arthur narrows his eyes, clearly unconvinced, but the immediate danger is past.
CUT TO:
INT. GAIUS'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT
Merlin is pacing, agitated. Gaius watches him, a grave expression on his face.
MERLIN
I almost did it again! He almost saw me! He looked at me, Gaius, he knew something wasn't right!
GAIUS
(Quietly)
He suspected. But he didn't know. Your magic is growing, Merlin. And it is drawn to him. Like a moth to a flame.
MERLIN
What does that mean?
Gaius sits, beckoning Merlin closer.
GAIUS
Long ago, before Uther banished magic, there were prophecies. Of a golden age, when magic would return to Camelot, and the kingdom would be reunited. But only under the guidance of a great sorcerer... and a true king.
Merlin looks at him, bewildered.
MERLIN
Are you saying...?
GAIUS
(A heavy sigh)
I'm saying you were born with magic, Merlin. A gift. And a curse, in this kingdom. But if the prophecies are true, your destiny, young warlock, is intertwined with that arrogant prince. You are to protect him. To guide him. But you must keep your secret. For both your sakes.
Merlin stares out the window towards the castle, a mix of fear, wonder, and a dawning sense of responsibility settling over him.
CUT TO:
INT. ROYAL DUNGEONS - DEEP BELOW CAMELOT - NIGHT
Deep beneath the castle, far beyond human reach, lies a vast, cavernous chamber. Chains clink faintly.
Suddenly, two enormous, reptilian eyes, glowing with ancient power, open in the darkness. They belong to THE GREAT DRAGON (VOICE OVER), an immense, powerful creature, chained within the rock.
THE GREAT DRAGON (V.O.)
So, the young one arrives. The one spoken of in prophecy. His path now begins. The true king is in danger, young warlock. You will face many trials. And your destiny... it is far greater than you can possibly imagine.
FADE OUT.
FADE TO BLACK.