SCRIPT, Page Four Corresponding Gallery
EXT. CATHEDRAL FIELD - TOPSHOT - DAY
In front of an early version of one of England's cathedrals stretches a great green field.
MORGAINE (V.O.)
If I thought that the pain had come to an end when Arthur and I parted in the cave of the Horned One: I had much to learn. And the learning began on the day of my brother's coronation.
In a series of mixes we watch two or three tents appear on this field, and then two or three more, and then a dozen more.
EXT. CATHEDRAL FIELD - DAY
We are down among the rows of tents, as Lot and Morgause walk between them. It's a bustling scene; stewards carrying platters of food, squires carrying armor, priests on donkeys, little knots of tribesmen in blue pigment. But Morgause and Lot, proud, regal and self- contained, sail through imperviously.
Their son GAWAIN, a tall, handsome, brawny young man in full battle dress, follow them at a few paces distance, reading a message handed to him by a royal guard.
MORGAUSE
Every kinglet and duke in Britain has come to pay homage today.
LOT
Including ourselves, Morgause.
MORGAUSE
You are no kinglet, Lot: you rule Orkney and Lothian as a true king.
LOT
Under the High King, my love. I was sworn to Uther, now I must swear to Arthur.
MORGAUSE
It should not be Arthur! If I had had my way ...
(indicating Gawain)
... our son would be taking Uther's crown today.
LOT
But you didn't have your way, my love: though I must say you tried your best. They hid Uther's brat away very cleverly and brought him out at the last moment, when it was too late. For which I blame your dear sister of Avalon.
MORGAUSE
Viviane! Always against me! The royal blood flows through my veins as well as Igraine's. She has Avalon, Igraine had Uther: Isn't it my turn now?
LOT
Yes, it is, it should be. But it is not to be, my dear. From now on the royal line will flow from the loins of whoever Arthur chooses to be his bride.
MORGAUSE
May she be barren as a rock!
LOT
Morgause ...
MORGAUSE
I mean it! I have been robbed! I will not be robbed!
Gawain catches up with them and shows them the message.
GAWAIN
Arthur is gathering the young princes before his crowning, choosing his battle-companions. I must go to him.
LOT
Ah, the new generation, you see, Morgause: We are being cast aside. The race is taken up by the young. Go and pay your homage, son: may Arthur recognize your worth.
Gawain bows and goes.
MORGAUSE
Do you mean that, husband?
LOT
Of course not. No one ceases to strive for power until they are dead. Certainly not Lot of Orkney. Or Lot of Orkney's wife.
They have reached their destination: a large, well- constructed tent with a guard outside the entrance. On seeing Lot and Morgause the guards present arms and pull back the flap.
INT. IGRAINE'S TENT - DAY (gallery)
Morgause flings her arms around Igraine as she and Lot enter.
MORGAUSE
Sister!
IGRAINE
Morgause!
MORGAUSE
This is a great day for you, Igraine.
IGRAINE
And a great sorrow, sister.
LOT
Uther was a good man and a great king. I grieve with you at his loss.
A figure materializes out of the shadows: it is Bishop Patricius.
PATRICIUS
He is on the right hand of God, King Lot. He was a good Christian and he has gone where good Christians go.
Morgause's face shows she does not accept this view for a moment.
IGRAINE
It is only that knowledge that comforts me, Father Patricius One day I shall see him again in heaven.
(heading off an argument)
Bishop Patricius and I were discussing how to find the right wife for Arthur, once he is king.
PATRICIUS
She must be high-born, of course, virtuous, and a good Christian.
LOT
And with a good dowry: Arthur will find that being High King requires all the money, men and horses he can lay his hands on.
MORGAUSE
I know the young princesses well. I may be able to help you.
The tent flap opens and Morgaine appears.
MORGAUSE
(sotto voce)
Later.
Morgaine and Igraine stare at one another.
MORGAINE
Mother!
IGRAINE
(softly)
My daughter ...
She holds out her hands to her. The tips of their fingers touch.
IGRAINE
So long ...
Morgraine's fingers wrap themselves around Igraine's hands and suddenly the two women are embracing.
IGRAINE
Why, you are a woman grown - I always see you in my heart as a little maiden.
PATRICIUS
(re the small blue crescent tattooed on Morgaine's temple)
But what is this? Painted like one of the fairy people? Is this seemly, Morgraine?
MORGAINE
I am a priestess of Avalon, Bishop, and I wear the mark of the Goddess with pride. As you wear your church regalia.
PATRICIUS
I wear my robes with humility, my lady. It is the Christian way.
MORGAUSE
How is the High Priestess Morgaine? Still meddling in other people's lives?
The remark strikes home to Morgaine and she hesitates. Morgause laughs.
MORGAUSE
Ah, you don't want to be disloyal to her, do you? But she's a spider in a web, is my sister, and we all know it.
Come, give your aunt a hug.
(embraces Morgaine)
But you're all skin and bone. Don't they feed you in Avalon? We'll have to take you up to Scotland and fatten you up on porridge, won't we, Lot?
LOT
Aye, Morgaine, you'll be welcome with us when you tire of Avalon.
PATRICIUS
Your first duty is to your mother, Morgaine. She needs you now.
IGRAINE
No, Bishop: I am over the first pangs of grief, and after Arthur is crowned I will go to a nunnery. I have had too much the world's turmoil.
(drawing Morgaine closer)
Come - I want to hear all about Viviane, and what you have been doing since you left me, so long ago.
EXT. CATHEDRAL FIELD - DAY (gallery)
A group of young men, dressed in bits and pieces of armor, at swordplay: Arthur, Lancelot, Arthur's foster- brother CAI, BEDWYR, LUCAN, BALIN, Gawain. Arthur is going from pair to pair, commenting on their skill.
ARTHUR
Cai, my brother, raise your shield, or Bedwyr will have that sword down on your -
Cai suddenly turns the tables, disarms Gawain and sends him crashing to the ground.
CAI
You may be about to be king, little foster-brother, but there's not much you can teach me about -
But Gawain has his revenge: from the ground he grabs Cai's ankles and brings him crashing down, setting them all laughing. Still laughing, Arthur steps into Lancelot's mock-fight with Lucan.
ARTHUR
No, Cai - this is what I meant.
And uses his shield to deflect Lancelot's sword. But Lancelot is not so easily defeated - soon he and Arthur are engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand struggle: still in fun, but growing more intense with every minute - till they are face to face, panting hard.
For a moment, as Lancelot looks into Arthur's eyes, it looks as if he will have the upper hand, and Arthur's demonstration will go wrong. And then Lancelot, without any sign that will alert the other companions, loosens his grip to let Arthur prevail and goes crashing to the ground. A fresh burst of laughter goes up.
LANCELOT
(good naturedly)
And that is what happens when you let a king teach you how to fight.
He looks up to meet Arthur's eyes - but Arthur is looking away, towards the top of the hill overlooking the field.
ARTHUR
Carry on, my friends, I'll be back with you shortly.
And he strides away between the tents. Lancelot watches him go: until his attention is distracted by the clatter of hooves.
It is Gwenhwyfar, arriving with her entourage. She does not see him, but Lancelot stares at her, thunderstruck anew by her beauty.
CAI
Another fight, Lance?
(Beat)
Lance?
But Lancelot is in another world.
EXT. HILLTOP - DAY
Morgaine is sitting alone at the top of a hill over- looking the field of tents, her chin on her knees. A shadow falls over her.
ARTHUR
Morgaine ...
MORGAINE
Arthur! Shouldn't you be -
ARTHUR
Preparing for the coronation, meeting my great lords, talking to the bishops: yes, I should be, but then I saw you.
He sits down beside her, and speaks softly.
ARTHUR
I think of you all the time. I can't help myself. It was true what I said, Morgaine - that all my life I shall remember you because you were the first, and I shall always think of you and love you -
MORGAINE
Brother, you must not think of me in that way. It is blasphemy to remember me as a mortal woman. Forget me, and remember the Goddess.
ARTHUR
I've tried and -
He breaks off and clenches his fists. Morgaine gently takes his hands.
MORGAINE
I will always be with you, Arthur. I too will always love you: as a sister. What happened between us at the Great Marriage -
ARTHUR
Changed everything! Don't you see that? I dream of you, Morgaine, I dream of you. Terrible, unholy dreams.
MORGAINE
No. You are my brother - you are going to be my king. Think only of that. What is past is past.
ARTHUR
Past for you, perhaps, Morgaine. Not past for me.
And he attempts to embrace her.
MORGAINE
No!
She gives way to her distress as she breaks away from him and races down the hill.
EXT. HILLSIDE - DAY
Morgaine rushes blindly down the hill - straight into Lancelot. For a moment, involuntarily, he holds her in his arms, looking down at her in sheer surprise.
LANCELOT
Morgaine! I was looking for Arthur.
MORGAINE
(dully)
He's on the hilltop.
LANCELOT
I haven't seen you since -
MORGAINE
Since Gwenhwyfar blundered into Avalon, and you fell in love with her.
LANCELOT
Love? I have had little time for love since that day.
MORGAINE
No ...?
LANCELOT
It has been nothing but fighting, attack and counter-attack. But now Arthur's going to be king, everything's going to change. He'll let me build that cavalry force I was telling you about - and then the Saxons will know who they're up against.
Morgaine looks at him: She knows he is deliberately avoiding the issue - but all she can think about is his beauty, which hypnotizes her.
MORGAINE
I have often thought about that day, Lancelot.
Beat.
LANCELOT
I too, Morgaine.
MORGAINE
But which of us did you think of? The small dark priestess of Avalon, or the golden princess of Leodekrantz?
LANCELOT
(softly)
I thought of you both. She dazzled me. Dazzles me. You calmed me. You calm me now, Morgaine. I have need of calm.
MORGAINE
You have braved much, Lancelot. I know.
LANCELOT
Arthur and I.
MORGAINE
Like brothers.
LANCELOT
Like brothers.
EXT. CATHEDRAL FIELD - TOPSHOT - NIGHT
The same field of tents we saw by day is now illuminated by lamps within and fire without like so many Chinese lanterns.
INT. MORGAUSE'S TENT - NIGHT
Morgause is sitting at a table, on which a brass tray supports a tiny fire; over the fire a tiny brass pot, bubbling. The flap of the tent opens and a the hooded figure of the PHYSICIAN comes in.
PHYSICIAN
I have it, my Lady. He flips back the hood, revealing an elderly man with a white beard.
He hands Morgause a small leather bag, which she opens, eagerly. Inside, a lock of hair.
MORGAUSE
The girl's hair ...
PHYSICIAN
It is, my lady.
Morgause presses money into his palm.
PHYSICIAN
But it will not be used to hurt her ...
MORGAUSE
On the contrary, Physician: it will be used to spare her the pain God laid on women when Eve bit the apple.
Morgause drops the hairs into the tiny bubbling cauldron. She closes her eyes and stretches her hands over the cauldron; her lips moving silently as she recites a spell.
The liquid in the cauldron changes color; the boiling stops and it becomes clear and colorless. Morgause gestures for the Physician to hold a tiny phial, as she pours the liquid into it.
MORGAUSE
Put this in her drink, and child- birth will never be a pain to her ...
The Physician is clearly troubled by what he is witnessing - and we begin to wonder whether he is going to do what Morgause is telling him.
MORGAUSE
That I promise.
INT. IGRAINE'S TENT - NIGHT
Igraine, Arthur and Merlin sit listening to Morgaine play the harp, held in the spell of her music. As it comes to an end, Merlin speaks.
MERLIN
The magic of Avalon, Morgaine. You have it in your fingers.
ARTHUR
It almost seems as if I was in Avalon as I listen to you play, Morgaine.
IGRAINE
You are to be High King in the real world, Arthur. You must leave the faery lands behind you now.
MERLIN
No, Igraine: Arthur has it in his blood to bring the two worlds together; to stop Avalon drifting away from this land; to preserve the magic.
IGRAINE
But he has been brought up a Christian.
MERLIN
True: but he also has it in him to unite the two religions - to infuse this land of ours with the old strengths, as well as the new. Is that not so, Arthur?
ARTHUR
(with a distant look in his eyes)
I have so sworn, Lord Merlin. I have so sworn.
Morgaine hands him a scabbard woven with the emblems of Avalon.
MORGAINE
For Excalibur, my Lord ... for you.
deleted
EXT. CATHEDRAL FIELD - DAY
A procession of kings, dukes, princesses, soldiers and painted tribesmen passes down the central aisle between the tents, and into the cathedral, from which the BELLS are PEALING.
EXT. SACRED WELL - DAY
In Avalon, Viviane places her hands on the rim of the Sacred Well, closes her eyes and composes herself. Raven appears and places a golden torque around her neck. Having achieved the mental state she wants, Viviane peers into the waters of the well. And sees a vision of Arthur's coronation.
INT. CATHEDRAL - DAY (gallery)
The cathedral is packed. Morgaine is with Lot and Morgause and Gawain. Suddenly the BELLS STOP and a hush falls on the church. Arthur, alone, in a simple white tunic, walks down the aisle. Morgaine's eyes follow him.
GAWAIN
(softly)
He is like a hero out of legend.
Arthur reaches the altar, and kneels. Patricius comes forward, and places a simple gold circlet on his forehead - and then Merlin, in his most majestic robes, hands him Excalibur. Arthur turns to the congregation, removes the sword from the scabbard Morgaine gave him, and speaks in a ringing voice.
ARTHUR
For all the peoples of Britain: my sword for your protection.
VIVIANE (V.O.)
See, Raven, how Merlin is on his right hand and the Christian priest on his left; he is fulfilling his vow to Avalon.
The painted tribesmen, unused to the ceremonies of a Christian church, yell out their acclamation. One by one, members of the rest of the congregation join in: soon they are all acclaiming Arthur at the tops of their voices. He sheathes the sword and his voice rises even above the din.
ARTHUR
My hand for justice!
The acclamation goes on. He spreads his arms wide, acknowledging both Merlin and the archbishop.
ARTHUR
One kingdom - the old wisdom and the new. One kingdom, united, to stand against the tides of barbarism - to hold the light of civilization high above the crashing waves. The once and future Britain!
Then the BELLS RING out again as the acclamation intensifies. Lot glances at his son, who is shouting as lustily as any, and speaks sotto voce to Morgause.
LOT
He has the knack, Morgause. If anyone can save this land, he can.
MORGAUSE
But he must do it in his own lifetime. No heir of his will follow him to the throne.
LOT
How can you say that, woman? Can you predict the future?
But now the congregation falls silent - as Patricius quiets them.
PATRICIUS
Brothers and sisters - there is another occasion of joy this day. We have a new high king: we are also to have a new high queen!
Tight on Merlin. He'd had no idea Patricius was going to do this.
PATRICIUS
Our king has sworn to defend Avalon as well as the holy church. That is good. But he has agreed to marry a Christian princess!
And he reaches out his hand to draw from the congregation - Gwenhwyfar.
EXT. SACRED WELL - DAY
VIVIANE
Gwenhwyfar! A Christian princess as Arthur's queen: a clever move, Patricius. But that was to be expected, and the girl is a cipher, nothing more.
(sees Morgaine, stony-faced ) with shock) )
Morgaine - Morgaine, what is in your heart?
Then she sees Morgaine's look towards Lancelot.
VIVIANE
She loves my son! Oh, Morgaine -
And she sees Lancelot's face as he gazes at Gwenhwyfar, and understands.
VIVIANE
Lancelot - you fool!
Involuntarily, her glance goes to the Tree of Avalon. Its branches are now bare.
INT. CATHEDRAL - DAY
As the bishop blesses Arthur and his affianced queen, Morgaine watches her brother betroth himself to the woman who robbed her of Lancelot - and Lancelot watches the woman he holds most dear given to his closest friend.
Tight on Igraine - pleased - Gwenhwyfar is a woman after her own heart.
On Merlin - appalled: Patricius has completely outmaneuvered him.
On Lot: as he looks down at Morgause - her face suffused in triumph.
MORGAUSE
(sotto voce, to Lot)
She will never bear him a living child, Lot, you may rely on that. When Arthur dies - the fruit of his loins will be the next in line for the throne.
LOT
What have you done, woman?
MORGAUSE
Think you I alone of all the sisters learned nothing of magic?
Lot shakes his head in awe at her determination. And then realizes something.
LOT
But all your plans will come to nothing if Morgaine bears a son.
MORGAUSE
Morgaine is a priestess of Avalon, husband. She will never marry.
Together they both glance across at Morgaine - whose gaze is fixed, hypnotized, on the unfolding ceremony at the front of the cathedral. Suddenly it is all too much for her, her eyes close and she crumples to the ground at their feet. Instantly, Morgause is beside her, cradling her in her arms.
LOT
What's the matter with her, Morgause?
MORGAUSE
It's nothing, it's just the heat, the noise. Isn't it, Morgaine?
But as Morgaine opens her eyes, she is gripped by nausea, and holding her hand over her mouth, she rushes out of the cathedral.
EXT. CATHEDRAL - DAY
Morgaine supports herself against the cathedral wall, vomiting. Morgause comes out after her, helps her upright, and gives her a cloth to wipe herself with.
MORGAUSE
It's alright, Morgaine, you're alright now. It was just the excitement in there.
Morgaine looks at her with haggard eyes.
MORGAINE
No - it wasn't that, Morgause.
MORGAUSE
Then what was it, niece? Tell me.
Morgaine can hardly get it out - but she has to tell someone.
MORGAINE
I think I must be ... pregnant.
On Morgause as the implications of this revelation sink in.
EXT. SACRED WELL - DAY
VIVIANE
She is with child! Arthur's child! (realizing) And Morgause has her in her power!
(to Raven)
Gather the herbs. We must prepare for a sending.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY
Tight on herbs being sought for and plucked from thick vegetation near the edge of a wood. But when we look UP to see who is doing it, we see Morgause. She examines what she has gathered critically, laying the leaves out in the palm of her hand, and then tips them into a leather bag.
INT. MORGAUSE'S TENT - DAY (gallery)
Tight on steaming cauldron as Morgause tips the herbs into the water and it begins to boil. Through the steam we see Morgaine, lying on a camp bed.
MORGAUSE
This will bring on your courses: you are no more than two months with child; it will all be over.
MORGAINE
I'm afraid.
MORGAUSE
Of course you are. And if you want to bear the child, you should not take it. Perhaps the father was high-born - you should go to him, tell him what happened at the Beltane Rites. Perhaps he will marry you.
MORGAINE
No - no. Not that.
MORGAUSE
Or you could take the child to Avalon: other priestesses have brought up children of the Beltane Rites there. Why not this one?
Morgaine shakes her head.
MORGAUSE
Then it is simple. I know it works - I have used it several times myself.
MORGAINE
But - Lot ...
MORGAUSE
... Knows nothing about it. I'm not talking about his children. It's the trouble his handsome young courtiers have caused me.
(glances at cauldron)
Come along: time for your medicine.
She pours the contents of the cauldron into a wooden bowl and hands it to Morgaine as she sits up in bed. But as she puts it to her lips, they feel an unnatural breeze we have come to associate with one person.
VIVIANE
No, Morgaine, no.
Morgaine and Morgause stare at the vision of Viviane.
MORGAUSE
Ah, dear sister. So you have remembered your niece at last. She is carrying a child she doesn't want. I am helping her get rid of it.
VIVIANE
If she does, she will never bear another.
MORGAUSE
Is that a curse, sister?
VIVIANE
No, it is a fact.
(to Morgaine)
She did not tell you, did she, Morgaine, that if a woman uses that potion before she has born any child - she will never bear again.
MORGAUSE
Poppycock.
VIVIANE
Leave us, Morgause.
MORGAUSE
Leave her alone with you to bend to your will - once again? Never.
VIVIANE
I said leave us, sister.
MORGAUSE
I am not an infant, crawling at your skirts, Viviane. Nor one of your adoring priestesses. I am a queen in my own right, wife of Lot, a power in the land and a greater power to come. You do not order me to go or stay.
VIVIANE
But I do, Morgause. I do.
And she focuses all the strength of her personality on Morgause. After a moment, the younger woman's will cracks under the assault, and she turns abruptly and walks out. Viviane sits down on the bed besides Morgaine.
VIVIANE
It is Arthur's child, is it not, Morgaine? From the great marriage.
MORGAINE
How could it be anything else, since you kept me virgin until you needed me for the rites?
VIVIANE
You gave Arthur the strength he needed to become what he has become.
MORGAINE
My own brother!
VIVIANE
Half-brother. And I thought neither of you would ever know.
MORGAINE
Well, we realized - afterwards. How could you do it, Viviane?
VIVIANE
Because I have a sacred charge, Morgaine. Avalon and those of its blood are the only links this beleaguered land has to the world of mists, the reality beyond reality. The links are growing weaker with every year; the tree of Avalon is dying. I must do everything in my power to keep it alive.
MORGAINE
Even if it means sacrificing everyone you have ever loved - or who loves you?
VIVIANE
Even if it means sacrificing my own soul. That is what being the Lady of the Lake truly means. As you will discover.
MORGAINE
I ...
VIVIANE
Or course! What else has all your training been for, all your suffering, but to fit you to become the Lady when I am gone. You have the greatness of soul, Morgaine: I can see it. I have seen it all along.
MORGAINE
I am carrying a bastard child whose father is my half brother.
VIVIANE
You are carrying a child in whom the ancient, magic bloodlines are concentrated as never before in this land. You are carrying Arthur's successor. You are carrying the future of Britain.
(leaning close)
And you would let my slut of a sister murder it in the womb? So her own brat can step into Arthur's shoes?
MORGAINE
No!
VIVIANE
Yes, of course! You are too naive to see it? If you bear no child, the offspring of Lot and Morgause are next in line for the throne. Why else is she so solicitous of your needs?
MORGAINE
I don't believe it.
VIVIANE
Then drink the potion. Let her ambitions shape your life. Shape this nation's future.
(as Morgaine) hesitates)
Morgause is an utterly selfish woman, Morgaine. You are intelligent enough to see that. To her you are just a pawn in the game of power.
The words strike home: but not in the way Viviane intended. Morgaine suddenly sits up and faces Viviane, looking right back into her eyes.
MORGAINE
And I am something different for you, Aunt? I think not. Your motives may be nobler than hers, but you still move us around as pieces on a chessboard. My mother. My father, Gorlois, who died at Uther's hands because of you. My poor, innocent brother Arthur; you have torn his soul apart with what you did. He was a baby on my lap, he loved me, I loved him, I love him still - and you have - you have - twisted everything. Sullied it, made it into shame for the sake of Avalon. What is Avalon if these are the methods its priestess uses to keep it safe?
She raises the bowl as if to drink it off - and then flings it across the room.
MORGAINE
But I will not kill the child within me. I cannot do it. That much you have achieved.
She gets out of bed and stands before Viviane, and once more the hidden strength of her personality is clear.
MORGAINE
But I will not give him to you. I will not let you take him to Avalon to twist and shape as you wish to.
VIVIANE
In Avalon we can train him to be the greatest ruler Britain has ever -
MORGAINE
He will never set foot in Avalon, Viviane!
VIVIANE
You are a priestess of Avalon, Morgaine. I am the Lady of the Lake. You have sworn to obey the Goddess through me.
MORGAINE
Then I renounce my vows. I renounce the Goddess. I renounce you!
Viviane concentrates all her considerable psychic strength on Morgaine, as we saw her doing with Morgause.
VIVIANE
You will obey me, Morgaine. You will obey the will of the high priestess. You will return with me now, to Avalon, and you will bear your child there.
But Morgaine is made of tougher stuff than Morgause. Her eyes flash as she faces Viviane down.
MORGAINE
I will bear my child where I will, Viviane. I will not return with you to Avalon. I will be your plaything no more.
And she makes a gesture of power: Viviane's face is rigid with the effort to resist Morgaine's force, but the younger woman's power and anger are too much for her. As we watch, Viviane fades into insubstantiality, and disappears. Morgaine stands still, all strength drained. Tears run down her cheeks.
MORGAINE
(softly, almost inaudibly)
What have I done ...
The tent flap opens - and Morgause appears; to see the bowl that contained her potion thrown empty on the floor.
MORGAUSE
You did not drink it?
MORGAINE
I did not drink it. But Viviane will not have my child.
On Morgause: her mind is working faster than the speed of light as she re-evaluates the situation.
MORGAUSE
That she will not. We will look after your child together, you and I. In Scotland!
And the BELLS of the Cathedral begin to toll into the darkening afternoon.
EXT. CATHEDRAL FIELD - DAY
Horsemen clatter in: proud-faced armoured knights watched by Arthur and Lancelot.
LANCELOT
King Leodekrantz has done you proud, Your Majesty. It is a fine dowry.
ARTHUR
With men such as these, Lance, you can build the finest fighting force in Britain.
A laden cart rumbles past, carrying a massive object wrapped in sacking.
LANCELOT
And he sent the Table, Arthur: just as you asked for it: the Round Table where every one of your companions will be equal.
ARTHUR
It is the beginning, Lance: it is the beginning of something great in this land.
He realizes someone is standing beside him, unnoticed.
ARTHUR
Gwenhwyfar!
GWENHWYFAR
Is the dowry acceptable, my lord?
ARTHUR
The dowry, my love, is as acceptable as the bride.
And he kisses her.
On Lancelot, as they embrace; the sight is almost more than he can endure.
And then we see, moving in the opposite direction to the horsemen, the litter carrying Morgaine north. She gazes out of the window at the trio, and we see them from her
MORGAINE (V.O.)
And so began the era of Camelot, and my exile to the north - carrying the child who bore within him the power to destroy it all. We were caught up in the battle of the gods, Arthur, Gwenhwyfar, Lancelot and I, Morgaine - and who knew, at that moment, where it was to end?
FADE OUT.
END OF PART ONE
Continued on Page 5