SCRIPT, Page Five Corresponding Gallery
PART TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. HIGHLANDS - DAY
We are in the middle of a snowstorm roaring through a highland valley in the far north of Scotland. As the blizzard whirls across the bare hillside we follow it up to Lot's castle.
MORGAINE (V.O.)
I had never felt so alone as I did that winter in the castle of King Lot of Orkney. I would sit in the window, looking out into the storm and imagining that I could walk out into its blinding whiteness, that it would fold itself around me like a soft blanket, and I would disappear forever into forgetfulness ...
And as the snow-gusts swirl around its highest tower, we go with them through the narrow window.
INT. TOWER CHAMBER (Lot's castle) - DAY
Morgaine stands against the window, shivering. She is wearing an old blue dress; her hair is disheveled; she has dark circles under her eyes; her belly is huge.
MORGAUSE
Come away from the window, Morgaine. You will catch your death of cold.
Morgaine just stares at her. Morgause, who has been spinning, gets up, puts her arm around her, and draws her to the fire.
MORGAUSE (cont'd)
It was just so with me. The last few days were like eternity.
MORGAINE
I should have got rid of it while I had the chance.
MORGAUSE
But you did not, and now it is ready to come out into the world, and when you hold it, you will love it.
Morgaine stares at her.
MORGAUSE (cont'd)
Come, let me comb your hair, you'll feel better with your hair combed.
She sits down and Morgaine obediently sits back against her knees.
MORGAUSE (cont'd)
Remember when I used to do this for you at Tintagel, when you were a little girl? And you said the nurse always made tangles?
MORGAINE
She said my hair was coarse, like a pony's mane.
MORGAUSE
As fine as the wool of a black sheep, and shining like silk.
MORGAINE
You used to call me lamb.
MORGAUSE
Yes, lambkins, I did.
Suddenly, Morgaine is sobbing. Morgause puts her arms around her, rocks her like a child.
MORGAUSE (cont'd)
You sat on my lap no bigger than a doll, and now you are to have a child of your own, love.
There's the sound of a HUNTING HORN in the distance.
MORGAUSE
Good. Lot has found a deer. Doubtless an old, scrawny one at this time of year - but we'll eat fresh meat tonight. Put some flesh on those bones of yours.
(As Morgaine continues to sob)
It's all right, Morgaine. Everything's going to be alright.
INT. great hall (Lot's castle) - NIGHT (gallery)
Tight on a roast deer. Lot and his retainers, Morgause and her women, and Morgaine are sitting around the table, watching hungrily as great chunks of steaming meat are carved off and handed round.
LOT
Let no man say the King of Orkney and Lothian knows not how to keep a great hall, even in the depths of winter. The stag moves slowly after Candlemas, not enough heather to chew on.
MORGAUSE
Like us.
A burst of laughter from around the table.
LOT
Which reminds me, I saved the best cut for you, Morgaine.
(signals a steward)
Didn't you always say, Morgause, that the best meat for a breeding woman is the liver of a stag?
The steward comes towards the table, carrying something in a bowl. He bows and sets it in front of Morgaine.
LOT
Eaten raw.
Morgaine stares at the bloody mass, begins to retch, staggers to her feet - and then collapses. The steward catches her. Suddenly her dress is dark with fluid.
MORGAUSE
Her waters have broken.
(to the women)
Quick - get her up to her chamber.
(to Morgaine)
It's alright, my love, the waiting is over. They'll take you upstairs, I'll bring you a herbal drink.
The serving women help Morgaine out. Morgause is about to leave too when Lot catches her arm and draws her aside.
LOT
You are quick to bring Gawaine's rival into the world.
MORGAUSE
What do you want me to do? Murder the child?
LOT
Of course not. Morgaine is our kinswoman and our guest. But the lives of children born in midwinter are frail, unless they are carefully tended, and I doubt Morgaine will be well enough to tend to this one with much care.
Morgause meets his eyes steadily.
LOT
If this child dies, and Gwenhwyfar fails to produce Arthur an heir, our son Gawain will become High King. If he lives, Gawain and his brothers will squabble over my small kingdom, and probably destroy each other. Think on that, wife, as you bring that infant into the world.
MORGAUSE
I must go and brew the herbs.
LOT
(letting her go)
Think on what I have said, wife. Think well on it.
INT. Igraine's CHAPEL - NIGHT
A group of nuns are praying in a small, bare chapel. As they pray, a tremendous SCREAM ECHOES around the church. The nuns do not respond in any way - except one: as we close in on her, we realize she is Igraine - and that she is experiencing, in her mind, something of what is happening to her daughter. The first moments of the next scene are viewed through the slightly distorted lens of Igraine's sight.
INT. tower chamber (Lot's castle) - NIGHT
Morgaine is in labor, a difficult labor. As her pain reaches its climax and her SCREAMS ECHO around the castle, Morgause leans in to assist the delivery.
MORGAUSE
Breathe deep, Morgaine, breathe deep.
MORGAINE
Mother! Mother! I knew you would come!
MORGAUSE
Stop breathing now, push. Morgaine screams.
INT. GREAT HALL (Lot's castle) - NIGHT
The SCREAMS carry down to the great hall, where the table is empty and the fire is low. Lot and his retainers are throwing knucklebones. They exchange glances, carry on playing.
INT. Igraine's chapel - night
Tight on Igraine as she experiences Morgaine's pain.
MORGAINE (O.S.)
Mother ...!
INT. VIVIANE'S CHAMBER - NIGHT
Viviane, too, wakes as she experiences some of what Morgaine is feeling. She gets out of bed, wraps a robe around her, and hurries out.
EXT. SACRED WELL - NIGHT (gallery)
Viviane peers into the sacred well - but all she can see is a snowstorm.
VIVIANE
Morgaine, Morgaine: why are you hidden to my sight? Morgaine - show yourself.
Suddenly, in the image of the snowstorm, appear a pair of eyes, burning with fierce intensity. Although we will not know it now, they are the eyes of the adult Mordred, who has just entered the world.
Tight on Viviane's shocked face as laughter echoes up out of the sacred well; the laughter of Mordred.
INT. tower chamber (Lot's castle) - NIGHT (gallery)
Morgaine has collapsed, exhausted and unconscious. Morgause is wrapping the newborn infant as the serving women clear up. She is fascinated by it.
MORGAUSE
Frail, frail.
The SERVING WOMAN comes close and looks doubtfully at the baby.
SERVING WOMAN
The wet nurse is ready.
(indicating Morgaine)
She won't be able to feed him yet, poor bairn.
MORGAUSE
He doesn't look as if he'll last the night.
SERVING WOMAN
I take him, my lady? The woman's waiting.
MORGAUSE
Not yet. Leave us. All of you.
The Serving Woman and the others leave the chamber. Morgause goes to the window, opens the shutter. A swirl of snow blows in. She looks down at the child - and then out at the storm. She glances across at Morgaine, who is still lying unconscious. The child's life is in her hands. She could destroy it in an instant.
And then his eyes open. She blinks, it is as if she has encountered a will far stronger than hers will ever be. As if she is caught in a force field. The infant Mordred's eyes hold her in a mental vice. Almost against her will, she closes the shutter - and is startled by a weak voice from the bed.
MORGAINE
Give him to me, Morgause.
Morgause stares at her, she'd forgotten all about her, so caught up was she in the child.
MORGAINE
Give me my baby ...
MORGAUSE
You are too weak, child. Morgaine tries to sit up.
MORGAINE
Give me ...
Tight on Morgause's face as she wrestles with her dilemma. There is no thought now of destroying Morgaine's baby, but now she finds it almost impossible to give him up - even to let go of him. She racks her brain desperately for an excuse.
MORGAUSE
No, Morgaine - you are not strong enough to suckle him, and -
(winging it)
- if you hold him even once, he will not suck from his wet nurse's breasts. So he must be given to her right away.
She starts to leave the room.
MORGAINE
(trying weakly to reach out)
Let me hold my baby, Morgause. Let me hold him -
Morgause has reached the door.
MORGAUSE
When you are stronger.
MORGAINE
My baby -
But the effort is too much for her, she collapses back on the bed. And the door closes behind Morgause and the infant Mordred.
EXT. country road - DAY
A country road in high summer: thick green foliage on either side; sheep-cropped downland beyond the trees; SINGING in the distance, and then, round a bend in the road comes the royal procession, bedecked with canopies, ringed by soldiers, with musicians playing - and riding side by side, Arthur and Gwenhwyfar in the high summer of their love.
ARTHUR
This is what we are fighting for, my love. It does my heart good to see it. Peace flowing across the land like honey.
GWENHWYFAR
Paid for with your blood.
ARTHUR
The blood of many men, Gwenhwyfar; little enough of mine, thanks to the Lady Viviane's charms - and Excalibur.
He touches the sword, its scabbard woven with Druidic charms.
GWENHWYFAR
I wish they were Christian symbols, Arthur. I shiver when I see those heathen markings.
ARTHUR
They have kept me alive through many a battle, Gwen, when I should otherwise have died. And Christians and the followers of the Goddess all seem pleased I am still alive.
GWENHWYFAR
Archbishop Patricius says -
ARTHUR
Let us hear no more of Archbishop Patricius for now, it is high summer; we are on our way to back Camelot, and a new nation is growing under our hands. A great nation.
GWENHWYFAR
How can it be a great nation, my lord, when it is so divided: tribespeople, Picts, Celts, Britons, Christians, followers of the Goddess ...?
ARTHUR
It is from those divisions that greatness can come, Gwen: if I can balance them, hold them in play - there'll be a force resonating between them that no other land will ever match.
GWENHWYFAR
(with genuine admiration)
Arthur - you have such visions.
ARTHUR
Of course I do: and you are the best of them!
As he smiles he sees ahead of them on the road, Lancelot talking to a tattooed TRIBESMAN who has emerged from the trees. Moments later, Lancelot has ridden up to the King and Queen.
LANCELOT
This may be the chance you've been waiting for, My Lord. The tribesman says his people have seen Saxons moving from north and south towards the Forest of Dee. By tomorrow night both armies should be preparing camp in Herne Valley. As if they were asking us to ambush them!
Gwenhwyfar watches as both men turn their implication of the situation over in their minds; Lancelot, the impulsive hero - Arthur the strategist and diplomat. In the moment, she loves and admires them both in equal measure.
ARTHUR
Our main force is what - half a day behind us?
LANCELOT
If we leave the road now and ride across country to meet them, we can be in the hills overlooking Herne Valley an hour or two before the Saxons.
ARTHUR
But the tribesmen need a victory of their own: we must hold off our force until the tribes have made their attack - and then reinforce them.
LANCELOT
But my lord, if we all attack together -
ARTHUR
It will be our victory, not theirs: and we need to give them their chance, that they may take their place at the councils and balance the pride of the newer folk. Trust me, Lance: less glory for us - more strength for the nation.
Lancelot is silent: he knows that Arthur's mind has encompassed a bigger picture than his own.
ARTHUR
I'll go back. You see Gwenhwyfar safely to Camelot, saddle up the Companions, and ride to join us tomorrow night.
(as Lancelot starts to interrupt)
If you ride fast enough, you'll be in time to mop up the last of the Saxons!
He begins to turn his horse - and then remembers Gwenhwyfar. He turns to embrace her.
ARTHUR
Lance will look after you, my love. And I will return, with another victory to lay at your feet.
(to the tribesman)
You have done well, you and the tribes; you have sharp eyes and fast legs to bring me this timely news. It will not be forgotten.
He puts a hand on the man's shoulder, and we know this is a moment the man will never forget. Gwenhwyfar sees it too, and smiles with love and sadness as Arthur spurs his horse up the bank into the woods like a boy off to the hunt.
deleted
EXT. country road - SUNSET
Pan down from the setting sun to Gwenhwyfar and Lancelot riding side by side. Gwenhwyfar realizes Lancelot is staring at her.
GWENHWYFAR
Lance!
LANCELOT
I'm sorry, my lady. I was -
He falls silent. Their eyes are still locked on one another.
LANCELOT
You are so beautiful ...
GWENHWYFAR
Lance - no ...
LANCELOT
More beautiful than the sunset, more beautiful than the sun, more beautiful than life itself.
Gwenhwyfar looks at him with great intensity, but cannot trust herself to speak. The look lingers: they cannot take their eyes off each other. Then with a mighty effort Lancelot tears his gaze away.
LANCELOT
Arthur is a great king, is he not? A fount of wisdom for his people. I would never have thought of bringing the tribes into the battle as he plans.
GWENHWYFAR
That is because you are a hero, Lance: you would have thrown yourself into the fray come what may. Arthur sees things whole, balances everything in those hands of his ...
LANCELOT
Which do you love more, my lady: the hero or the statesman?
GWENHWYFAR
How can you ask me that, Lance?
Abashed, Lancelot looks away - and sees something to distract them from the dangerous ground they've reached.
LANCELOT
See there, Gwen, down by the stream? A doe has come for its evening drink.
But as they look at the deer, something startles it, and it bounds away into the woods. And Lancelot knows, with the instinct of a soldier, that something is wrong.
He pulls his sword from its scabbard.
LANCELOT
To arms, men, to arms!
As the escort reaches for its weapons, a rain of arrows pours down on them, and Saxon warriors pour out of the trees.
Lancelot grabs Gwenhwyfar's bridle.
LANCELOT
Come, my lady, we must ride.
GWENHWYFAR
No, you must stay with the -
LANCELOT
The Saxons are too many for us: my duty is to protect you. Hold on!
deleted
EXT. woods - SUNSET
Lancelot and Gwenhwyfar gallop wildly through the woods, with the cries of the Saxons behind them.
As he passes us we see the anguish on Lancelot's face: he wants to go back and fight, but he knows where his duty lies.
EXT. SACRED WELL - SUNSET
Viviane is staring into the sacred well.
VIVIANE
Morgaine, Morgaine: why do you hide yourself from my sight?
And then she sees a glimpse of Lancelot and Gwenhwyfar in the woods.
VIVIANE
No ...
And leaves from the Tree of Avalon swirl down around her.
EXT. CAVE - NIGHT (gallery)
Tight on a tiny bundle of sticks and then on a flint: Lancelot is striking the flint to create a spark: he and Gwenhwyfar are both soaked: beyond the cave mouth rain pours down. As the little fire begins to blaze, Gwenhwyfar starts to shiver violently.
LANCELOT
We must dry your clothes.
GWENHWYFAR
No!
LANCELOT
Yes, my lady: or you will die of cold. Take off your gown, drape my clothes around your shoulders, and dry yours before the fire.
He begins to pull his own clothes over his head. Involuntarily, Gwenhwyfar watches as his torso is revealed. When Lancelot can see again, he realizes she hasn't moved.
LANCELOT
Gwen, you must do this. There is no immodesty in it: I will go off into the woods as soon as I know you are warm.
Gwenhwyfar looks at him, her face torn by doubt - and then pulls her dress over her head. Instantly Lancelot drapes his own garment over her, takes the dress and hangs it over a branch near the fire.
LANCELOT
I will go now and try to find something to eat.
But Gwenhwyfar reaches out and takes his hand.
GWENHWYFAR
Stay with me.
LANCELOT
I -
GWENHWYFAR
I'm afraid, Lance. Stay with me.
He sits down beside her. She leans against him. Gradually, tentatively, his arm goes round her. She nestles into the warmth of his body.
GWENHWYFAR
This is where I want to be. Cold. Supperless. Homeless.
(softly)
With you.
Lancelot closes his eyes and lets out a long breath.
LANCELOT
You are my life, Gwenhwyfar. My soul reaches out to you with every breath I take. You light the day for me.
He holds her away from him, and they look into each other's eyes.
LANCELOT
I love you, Gwenhwyfar. I have loved you since the first moment I saw you.
GWENHWYFAR
And I you, my darling.
They kiss, and hold each other as if the world would never end. Then they sink back onto the ground. The draped clothing falls away from Gwenhwyfar's breasts and Lancelot gazes at her in the flickering firelight.
LANCELOT
You are so beautiful.
In answer she reaches out and caresses his face.
GWENHWYFAR
You are so like him: and yet ...
(off Lancelot's questioning look)
You speak to my soul as Arthur never has.
(She looks away into the little fire)
And I am sworn to Arthur.
LANCELOT
As am I.
They kiss again. He reaches out to touch to touch her breasts - but she raises herself up on one elbow.
GWENHWYFAR
It would be a sin, Lance.
LANCELOT
I know. I would go to hell for it, if that is the price.
He has said the wrong thing. Hell is quite real to Gwenhwyfar.
GWENHWYFAR
And take me there too?
He leans up.
LANCELOT
Never! There is no hell, Gwen, it is just priest-talk.
GWENHWYFAR
I was brought up by priests, Lancelot. And nuns. And hell is quite real. It is where adulterers go.
LANCELOT
Adulterers?
GWENHWYFAR
That is what we would be, Lance, if we did this thing. Traitors - and adulterers.
LANCELOT
(taking her hands)
But we love each other, Gwenhwyfar. There is nothing evil about our love.
GWENHWYFAR
There will be nothing evil, Lance. Will there?
He meets her eye: and bows his head in acknowledgement.
LANCELOT
No, my lady: there will not.
The words seem to be torn from him as if under torture. Gwenhwyfar squeezes his hand.
GWENHWYFAR
You are a good man, Lancelot. You are a good man to love.
Lancelot presses her hand against his face, and his tears run between her fingers.
INT. tower chamber (lot's castle) - DAY
Morgause is rocking Morgaine's baby in her arms, and looking at him lovingly. There is clearly a strong bond between them. She smiles into his face, takes a small knife and snips a lock of his hair. Widen to reveal the same tiny brazier and brass cauldron on her table that we saw her use to cast a spell of barrenness on Gwenhwyfar. She drops the lock of hair into the simmering herbs in the cauldron. And sees, in the steam, Arthur, as the Horned One, wiping the tribal marking from his face.
MORGAUSE
Arthur!
(to the baby)
You are Arthur's son!
(To herself)
Arthur's son ... in my hands ...
EXT. HIGHLAND HILLSIDE - DAY
It is spring now: the heather is in bloom and the Highlands are at their magnificent best. Great swooping hills stretching away towards lochs and mountains in the distance. As we swoop in towards it, Morgaine seems to rise out of the heather like the very spirit of the place.
She is no longer the bedraggled creature she was in the last stages of her pregnancy, but pale, thin and austere. She has clearly been walking for some time: as she reaches a promontory she sits down, chin on her hands, and looks over the view. A breeze stirs the heather, and a voice calls softly over the landscape, echoing in her head.
VIVIANE (V.O.)
Morgaine, Morgaine ... where are you?
Tight on Morgaine's troubled face as she hears the voice in her mind.
VIVIANE (V.O.)
Morgaine ... Avalon needs you ... I need you. Come home.
MORGAINE
(to herself)
Viviane ...
MORGAUSE
Viviane is not here, Morgaine: she is in Avalon. Plotting as usual.
Morgaine turns round, startled, to see Morgause coming up the hill towards her.
Panting a little, Morgause sits down beside her.
MORGAUSE
Moping. You have brought moping to a fine art, Morgaine.
MORGAINE
I try to do it alone, Aunt.
MORGAUSE
Your son spends so much time with me he thinks of me as his mother.
MORGAINE
He cries when he's in my arms: he sleeps peacefully in yours.
MORGAUSE
You would think a priestess of Avalon would have charms enough for that.
MORGAINE
I have cast myself out of Avalon, Morgause, as you know.
MORGAUSE
And a good thing too: one less life for my sister to meddle with. So, if you are not to be a priestess - you must have a man.
MORGAINE
A man?
MORGAUSE
A lover, or a husband, whichever you please: life isn't complete without a pair of strong thighs beside you in the bed at night. That's why you're moping, you know.
MORGAINE
You think that?
MORGAUSE
I know that, even if you don't. Is it Lancelot you're pining for?
MORGAINE
I'm not pining for anybody. But if I was - Lancelot loves another.
MORGAUSE
He loves Gwenhwyfar, and she is besotted with him: anybody could see that even while she was marrying Arthur. But as she is a Christian ninny and goes in terror of the priests and nuns, neither of them will do anything about it. Which is where you come in.
MORGAINE
You're telling me to go and throw myself at Lancelot?
MORGAUSE
You don't need to do any throwing. A bit of dangling will do the job. He's a man, isn't he? If you want him in your bed, he'll come. And you'd be doing the right thing, too.
MORGAINE
How so?
MORGAUSE
You think it good that Arthur's chief knight should lust after Arthur's wife?
Morgaine hesitates - and Morgause presses her attack.
MORGAUSE
Well then, if only for the sake of your brother - go and take Lancelot away from the Christian.
MORGAINE
Just like that?
MORGAUSE
Why, don't you think you're a match for her?
The barb hits home.
MORGAINE
It's not that. But I have a child. My first responsibility is to him.
MORGAUSE
And I am giving him all the care and love he needs. All the care and love you cannot.
MORGAINE
Cannot?
MORGAUSE
You think your child will be happy if you are not? You think your unhappiness won't see into him like foul water into fresh? No, Morgaine, if you want your child to be happy, you must find happiness yourself. And I tell you, you will not find it here.
deleted
EXT. castle COURTYARD (CAMELOT) - DAY
Arthur and his companions clatter into Camelot to be greeted by Lancelot and the cheering garrison. Lancelot helps Arthur dismount.
ARTHUR
Where is Gwenhwyfar, Lance: not here to greet me?
LANCELOT
She is abed, My Lord.
(on Arthur's look)
She hoped to present you with a child once again, it finished early.
ARTHUR
Poor thing, I must go to her.
But Lancelot detains him.
LANCELOT
She blames herself, Arthur. She thinks she must have committed some grave sin.
ARTHUR
My Gwen? But she's as pure as the driven snow.
LANCELOT
Of course she is. But it's hard for anyone brought up by Christian priests and nuns ever to believe that. Remember that when you go and see her.
INT. royal CHAMBER (Camelot) - DAY (gallery)
Gwenhwyfar is lying in a darkened room. Arthur comes in and sits beside her on the bed.
ARTHUR
My poor love!
Gwenhwyfar takes his hand.
GWENHWYFAR
I have failed you again, My Lord.
ARTHUR
Failed me? Never.
GWENHWYFAR
A queen should give her king an heir. I have given you no heir, Arthur ...
ARTHUR
There's plenty of time yet, love.
GWENHWYFAR
Unless we are being punished.
ARTHUR
For what?
Gwenhwyfar looks away.
GWENHWYFAR
Women are sinful, Arthur. The Bible tells us it was a woman committed the first sin, and every generation afterwards has carried that burden.
ARTHUR
Don't the priests also say Christ died for our sins? And redeemed us all?
GWENHWYFAR
Then why do you not carry His banner, Arthur?
Arthur is taken aback: this comes completely out of left field.
ARTHUR
I carry the Pendragon banner, like my father before me.
GWENHWYFAR
A banner woven in Avalon, My Lord, by pagans. Their symbol.
ARTHUR
I am sworn to protect the ancient religion as well as the new one, Gwenhwyfar. You always knew that.
GWENHWYFAR
I did not know it would cost me child after child, Arthur. I did not know it would make me barren.
ARTHUR
You are not barren, Gwen - and if you were, the Pendragon banner has nothing to do with it.
GWENHWYFAR
But I know that if you fought under the banner of our Lord instead, I would be able to give you a son. I know it, Arthur.
ARTHUR
If I put aside the Pendragon banner, I break my oath and lose the support of Avalon - and the swords of half the tribes. And we need them, Gwen, if we are to save this land.
GWENHWYFAR
And I need a child, Arthur. I need a child!
INT. Igraine's CHAPEL - DAY
Igraine is at the confessional.
IGRAINE
I am troubled, Mother Superior. In my dreams I see my son, assailed by dark forces. He needs help.
MOTHER SUPERIOR
Is it help you can give him, daughter?
Beat.
IGRAINE
Not unless I resort to magic, Mother.
MOTHER SUPERIOR
Which you have forsworn, as being against God's will.
IGRAINE
But magic forces are being used against him, against his wife -
MOTHER SUPERIOR
Then the devil will claim those who use them. Leave your son in the hands of God, daughter. He will provide.
Tight on Igraine. She does not believe it.
EXT. castle COURTYARD (CAMELOT) - DAY
A splendid melee is going on: Arthur, Lancelot, Bedwyr, all thoroughly enjoying themselves in a mock battle with practice weapons. Among the spectators, with her eyes fixed on Lancelot, is a stunning young lady-in-waiting named ELAINE.
And then, in the midst of the mock battle the trumpets sound - and Arthur turns to see a figure silhouetted against the dazzling summer afternoon.
ARTHUR
Morgaine ...
MORGAINE
I have come back, My Lord.
Arthur strides to meet her.ARTHUR
My sister. Welcome to Camelot.
(softly)
Thank God you have come, Morgaine. I need your help.
But as she clasps his hands, Morgaine's eyes are on Lancelot.
And from the window of her tower - the eyes of Gwenhwyfar are on all three.
INT. GREAT HALL (CAMELOT) - NIGHT (gallery)
A feast is in progress at the Round Table, with all the pomp and splendor of the royal court. (We note Elaine, her eyes still fixed on Lancelot)
Gwenhwyfar and Morgaine are seated next to each other, and amid the chatter and the clatter of dishes, Gwenhwyfar turns her anguished face to her and speaks in a strained whisper.
GWENHWYFAR
Did Avalon train you in herb-lore, Morgaine?
MORGAINE
Of course. Many's the night I spent out on the hills, gathering -
GWENHWYFAR
And magic, they taught you how to use the herbs in magic potions, did they not?
MORGAINE
Magic is a simple word, Gwen, for complex things. Knowing the movements of the sun and stars, the lines of force in the earth, the power of words -
GWENHWYFAR
But you can make potions so a woman may conceive, can you not?
MORGAINE
To help, yes. Is that what you wish?
GWENHWYFAR
That, yes. And also ... a love potion.
MORGAINE
A love potion ...?
GWENHWYFAR
To help me love Arthur. So that I may get him a son.
MORGAINE
But surely you need no potion to help you love -
Morgaine looks at Gwenhwyfar, realizing the agony of soul which has prompted her to make this request.
GWENHWYFAR
Will Avalon do this for me, Morgaine? Will Avalon help England's queen in her hour of need?
Morgaine stares at her - and sees, further down the table, Lancelot watching them both.
And suddenly sees a vision of his face, rigid in the throes of passion.
Continued on Page 6