MERLIN: THE LOST CHAPTER
Episode 3: "The Crown and the Cowl"
Written by: [Your Name]
TEASER
INT. AVALON CAVES – VOID CHAMBER
MERLIN reaches through a golden fissure, grasping ARTHUR's hand. As he pulls, the chamber trembles. ARTHUR emerges, disoriented.
ARTHUR
Merlin? Is this another one of your… projects?
MERLIN
Only if you count saving the world as a hobby.
Suddenly, the chamber darkens. The HOODED FIGURE appears, silent.
HOODED FIGURE
The balance must be restored.
The fissure snaps shut.
TITLE SEQUENCE
MERLIN: THE LOST CHAPTER
ACT ONE
EXT. CAMELOT – COURTYARD – DAY
Temporal anomalies abound: a Viking longship rests beside a Model T Ford; a Roman centurion argues with a Victorian lady.
GUINEVERE
(to LEON)
If this is your idea of a festival, I'm not amused.
LEON
Noted, Your Majesty.
INT. CAMELOT – THRONE ROOM
MERLIN and ARTHUR enter, greeted by GUINEVERE and the knights.
ARTHUR
Gwen.
GUINEVERE
Arthur.
They embrace. MERLIN clears his throat.
MERLIN
Hate to interrupt, but time's unraveling faster than your royal reunions.
INT. CAMELOT – LIBRARY
MERLIN studies ancient texts, muttering incantations.
MERLIN
"Ic her aciege ænne windræs!"
(I summon a storm of wind!)
A gust blows through the room, scattering scrolls.
GAIUS
Perhaps a gentler approach?
MERLIN
Sorry. Still calibrating.
ACT TWO
INT. CAMELOT – COUNCIL CHAMBER
The council discusses the anomalies.
ELYAN
A Saxon warband appeared in the kitchens. They demanded mead.
LEON
We gave them ale. Close enough.
GUINEVERE
We need a solution, not substitutions.
MERLIN
The temporal rift is anchored by the orb. Destroying it might reset the timeline.
ARTHUR
And if it doesn't?
MERLIN
Then we'll be hosting a prehistoric barbecue.
EXT. AVALON CAVES – NIGHT
MERLIN and ARTHUR approach the orb, now pulsating violently.
MERLIN
"Forp fleoge!"
(Fly forth!)
A burst of energy knocks them back.
ARTHUR
Next time, warn me before you do that.
MERLIN
Where's the fun in that?
INT. AVALON CAVES – INNER SANCTUM
MERLIN prepares a ritual.
MERLIN
"Miht dagan, beþecce me."
(Power of the days, conceal me.)
He becomes cloaked in light.
MERLIN
"Ontende þisne wyrm þæt he licgeþ unastyred a butan ende!"
(Kindle this serpent so that it will lie unmoved forever without end!)
The orb shatters. A shockwave ripples outward.
ACT THREE
EXT. CAMELOT – COURTYARD – DAY
The anomalies vanish. Normalcy returns.
GUINEVERE
(to MERLIN)
You did it.
MERLIN
I had help.
He nods to ARTHUR.
INT. CAMELOT – THRONE ROOM
ARTHUR is crowned once more.
GAIUS
Long live the king.
ALL
Long live the king!
INT. CAMELOT – MERLIN'S CHAMBER
MERLIN reflects, gazing into a mirror. The HOODED FIGURE appears behind him.
HOODED FIGURE
The balance is restored, but the debt remains.
MERLIN
Arthur's alive. That's all that matters.
HOODED FIGURE
I did not come for the king.
MERLIN turns, eyes wide.
MERLIN
Then who?
HOODED FIGURE
Emrys.
The figure lowers its hood, revealing a skeletal visage.
HOODED FIGURE
I am Death.
TO BE CONTINUED…