Arthur rides up to Launcelot, who is awake and staring at the moon.

Arthur: What are you thinking about?

Launcelot: Death... (after a beat) Is it a place? Is it a God?

Arthur: You won't find out for a long time.

Launcelot: I wasn't concerned for myself (off Arthur's look ) I've known these men since we took our first steps. We played together. Learned to ride together. (after a beat) They've always looked to me,...I don't know why.

Arthur: They look to you for courage, Launcelot.

Launcelot: and to you, Arthur, they look for wisdom and righteousness. These Knights will follow you anywhere, take up any cause on your whim. Die for you. (a beat) So, I must ask, is this Roman errand wise? Is it righteous?

Arthur: (with some difficulty) It is duty.

*************************************************************

Guinevere: (to Launcelot re Arthur) It seems the Roman has a heart.

Launcelot: From his father he got his head, but as for his heart you are mistaken. It beats with the British blood of his mother.

(This takes her aback; she allows herself a smile)

Launcelot: You smile as if it were a good thing.

Guinevere: It is, yet still he chose his allegiance to Rome. The Romans are the reason this land is divided and ready to be crushed. It's because of the Romans that you were ever torn from your homes.

Launcelot is suddenly angry: Don't pretend you know how I or any of the others feel about Arthur. Without him we would have perished years ago, and there would be no more Russian Knights left to return home at all.

*************************************************

Suddenly Merlin is right there. Arthur nearly trips over him. Merlin sits on a rock flanked by poles with mesh tops filled with fireflies. Arthur puts Excalibur right to Merlin's throat.

Merlin: Peace between us this night, Arthur Castus. You fight well.

(Seeing he hasn't a chance, Arthur lowers Excalibur - then grabs Merlin and for a moment the two are locked together as if in a test of strength.)

Arthur: Call off your dogs so I can rip your head off.

(Battle hardened warriors move on Arthur -- but Merlin stops them. Then he allows a smile as he pulls free and nods to these veterans.)

Merlin: My best fighters were determined that I challenge you when you entered our woods.

(Now other Woads crowd in from the shadows and there's a clear dynamic at work: the older, seasoned Woads keep their distance, while Arthur is surprised as young Woad fighters press close as if passionate to get a glimpse of Arthur.)

Merlin: But my young men ...feel differently. You can see it in their eyes.

Arthur: Sorry the new generation won't get to practice their skills on us. Rome is leaving this island. Your dream has become real.

Merlin: No, a nightmare..The Saxons have landed.

Arthur: (yesterday's news) With twelve keels of infantry.

(Merlin nods to Woad, who tosses a crossbow at Arthur's feet.)

Merlin: And These?

(Arthur picks up the crossbow, studies it. He is uncomfortable with the mechanics. Merlin takes it from his hands, inserts a bolt and fires from the shoulder..ZING - the bolt nips the top of a rock, snuffing out a luminescent light. Merlin tosses the crossbow back into Arthur's arms.)

Arthur: Many?

Merlin: My scouts tell me one-eighth of their army. (Arthur's face tells us this is serious.) So Rome leaves, tail twixt its legs. What of Arthur and his Knights?

Arthur: We won't be staying for the farewell party.

Merlin: You can become a leader in this land. These people and your people will fight if you lead them. The north and south united at last. My own young men believe you can do anything. That sword, it's not Roman.

Arthur: Nor British. Russian. Like my loyal Knights. Who want to leave. Who trust me not to betray them. And certainly not to their enemy.

Merlin: Who is your enemy? Tell me: what happens to the villagers when the Saxons attack?

Arthur: You protect them.

Merlin: Don't you have any feelings for these people?

Arthur: When I was a child my mother, a Briton, was killed by Woads...."these people!"

Merlin: You're mistaken, my friend.

Arthur: (angry) A fight. A fire. The screams of an innocent woman. Screams I hear, fire I see, every night in my sleep. I feel its heat on my face now. Mistaken? Am I?

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