MERLIN: THE LOST CHAPTER
Episode 1: "The Ripples of Avalon"
Written in the style of the BBC TV show "Merlin"
⸻
EXT. LAKE OF AVALON – NIGHT
A full moon glows over the still water. Trees rustle in a cold wind. MERLIN, older, stands at the edge of the lake, his eyes fixed on the surface.
MERLIN
(softly)
I felt you. I know you're there.
A faint ripple forms on the surface. Merlin's eyes widen.
GAIUS (O.S.)
You talk to lakes now?
Merlin turns to see GAIUS approaching, clutching a satchel.
MERLIN
Only the ones that answer back.
GAIUS
You've been coming here too often. It's not good for you, Merlin.
MERLIN
It stirred tonight, Gaius. The lake moved. He's coming.
GAIUS
(after a beat)
Then the world should be very afraid.
⸻
INT. CAMELOT – THRONE ROOM – NIGHT
QUEEN GUINEVERE sits alone at the Round Table. SIR LEON enters with urgency.
LEON
Your Majesty. Three villages. Same reports: black fog, livestock gone, crops turned to ash.
GUINEVERE
Magic.
LEON
Yes. And… a name keeps surfacing in old records. Emrys.
Gwen stands, resolute.
GUINEVERE
Find him.
⸻
EXT. LAKE OF AVALON – NIGHT
The water churns. Storm clouds swirl. MERLIN stands with arms raised, chanting in the Old Tongue. Lightning crashes.
MERLIN
By the old magic… return what was lost!
A figure bursts from the water—ARTHUR. Gasping, drenched. But his eyes are… off.
MERLIN
Arthur?
ARTHUR
Who… am I?
A WOMAN IN RED (face hidden) steps from the trees.
WOMAN IN RED
He is not whole. He is unfinished.
⸻
INT. FOREST CLEARING – NIGHT
A fire crackles. ARTHUR, wrapped in a blanket, stares at MERLIN.
ARTHUR
You look old.
MERLIN
You look… damp.
ARTHUR
I died.
MERLIN
That was inconvenient, yes.
ARTHUR
You let me die.
MERLIN
You were stabbed by a magical sword while I was trying to save your royal behind—again.
ARTHUR
You're still annoying.
MERLIN
You're still ungrateful.
(They pause, then both smirk.)
⸻
INT. CAMELOT WAR ROOM – NIGHT
GUINEVERE studies a map. Red markers dot the southern coast.
LEON
A cult, Your Majesty. They call themselves the Crimson Order. Worshippers of the Old Blood.
GUINEVERE
Prepare the knights. And send word to every corner of Albion.
(beat)
GUINEVERE (CONT'D)
Bring me Merlin.
⸻
INT. AVALON CAVES – NIGHT
MERLIN and ARTHUR walk through ancient tunnels, lit by glowing glyphs.
ARTHUR
These walls are humming. Are they supposed to hum?
MERLIN
They're alive with magic.
ARTHUR
That's comforting.
They reach a pedestal. Atop it: a dark orb pulsing red.
MERLIN
That's not comforting.
ARTHUR
Touch it?
MERLIN
Why do you always want to touch the dangerous magical thing?
ARTHUR
Because it usually blows up before you finish your speech about why I shouldn't.
⸻
INT. CAMELOT – GATES – NIGHT
Black fog rolls in. The guards tense. GUINEVERE climbs the battlements.
GUINEVERE
Seal the gates. Light every torch. If Merlin fails—
LEON
We won't.
⸻
INT. AVALON CAVES – DEEPER – NIGHT
The orb glows brighter. Suddenly, ARTHUR grabs his head, screaming.
MERLIN
Arthur!
Arthur's body twists. Eyes flash red. A VOICE speaks from his mouth.
POSSESSED ARTHUR
You brought me back. But not alone.
MERLIN
No…
⸻
INT. VOID BETWEEN WORLDS – UNKNOWN
The real ARTHUR is trapped in a prison of light, screaming as shadows swirl around him.
⸻
EXT. CAMELOT – CASTLE WALLS – NIGHT
Lightning cracks. The clouds form a crimson sigil.
A booming, ancient voice echoes over the kingdom:
VOICE (V.O.)
The Once and Future King returns… and Albion shall burn.
⸻
TO BE CONTINUED.