[Great Dragon]
In a land of myth...
and a time of magic,
the destiny
of a great kingdom...
rests on the shoulders
of a young man.
His name...Merlin.
[Wind Blowing]
Halt!
Stay where you are!
- Where are you headed?
- The Seas of Meredor.
What's in the cart?
Lady Morgana.
Are you all right?
Yes. Thank you, Sister.
But we must hurry.
Night is nearly upon us,
and we still have far to go.
Sorry!
[Chickens Clucking]
What are you doing
in my kitchen?
Uh, the prince's shirt.
Keep your dirty fingers off
my food. Do you understand?
Go. Go.
[Cook]
Oi!
[Lancelot]
You could try a bit of salt.
Arthur is going to kill me.
Let's see.
You've faced far worse, Merlin.
He needs it for tonight.
I'm sure
a man of your talents
can think of something.
[Speaking Ancient Language]
You're dressed.
Yes, Merlin.
I'm not an idiot.
[Merlin Chuckles]
- Are you sure about that?
- I beg your pardon?
- It's just that...
- Merlin, I am trying
to write a speech.
Do you want help?
No.
You won't want this then.
I spent all night
working on it.
[Sniffs]
What do you think?
It needs a polish.
I'll add it to the list.
Merlin, there aren't many
servants who get the chance
to write a prince's speech.
Obviously it would be too much
for you to say thank you.
The Isle of the Blessed.
You know where
we wish to go.
You've not eaten, sire?
Sire?
It doesn't seem
to make any difference.
I'm not sure it ever will,
but at least it gives him peace.
It's been a year
since Morgana betrayed him.
His heart is broken
and his spirit gone.
You're joining us
for the feast tonight?
I don't think so.
I need to stay
with the king.
You're very good to him, Gwen.
I don't do it for him.
I do it for Arthur.
[Wyvern Screeching]
[Horse Whinnies]
[Leon]
The reports are true, sire.
We caught up with Morgana
on the Plains of Denaria.
Was she alone?
There was someone else.
[Arthur] Morgause?
[Elyan]
Couldn't be sure.
- Where was Morgana heading?
- The Seas of Meredor.
The Isle of the Blessed.
I'll send out patrols
at first light.
[Arthur] Thank you, Agravaine.
Sire, you should know,
her powers have grown.
Sir Bertrand
and Sir Montague
are both dead.
Keep me informed
of any developments.
For months, nothing.
Why now?
We knew she couldn't stay hidden
forever. Today, tomorrow...
what does it matter?
Mustn't live in fear,
Arthur.
Camelot is strong.
If Morgana were to act,
we'd be ready for her.
You're right, of course.
I don't know how I would have
got through these last
few months without you.
Thank you, Uncle.
I made a promise
to your mother.
I'll always be there for you.
[Wyvern Screeches]
[Screeching]
[Wings Flapping]
[Chattering, Laughing]
Samhain...
it is the time of year
when we feel closest to
the spirits of our ancestors.
It is a time to remember
those we have lost,
to celebrate
their passing.
[Morgause]
Samhain is almost upon us.
We must hurry.
I can't do this.
Sister.
Remember what I've told you.
It is the only way.
What you are about to do
will affect everyone, even you.
But most importantly,
it will bring our enemies
to their knees.
You must be strong
and remember that.
Do not be scared.
I am not long
for this world.
There is nothing
left for me here now.
Please, Sister.
Let my parting be
my final gift to you.
- To the king!
- [Bell Tolls]
[Morgana Speaking
Ancient Language]
[Continues
In Ancient Language]
[Ancient Language]
[Gasps]
[Muffled]
To the king.
[Muffled]
To the king.
[Creature Shrieks]
[Wind Tearing,
Roaring]
[Creatures Shrieking]
Emrys.
[Loud Clatter]
[Chattering, Laughing]
[Shivering]
Who are you?
I am the Cailleach...
the gatekeeper
to the spirit world.
You have torn the veil
between the worlds.
[Creatures Shrieking]
The Dorocha.
They are the voices
of the dead, my child.
And like the dead,
they are numberless.
[Dorocha Shrieking]
You are right
to be afraid, Morgana.
Your enemies will rue this day
and all the destruction
it brings,
but you must beware.
Tearing the veil
between the worlds
has created a new world.
And you will not
walk through it alone.
The one they call Emrys
will walk in your shadow.
He is your destiny.
And he is your doom.
[Cailleach]
Emrys.
- What happened?
- I don't know.
- I've never felt anyone
so cold before.
- Will he be all right?
I'll need hawthorne to improve
the blood flow, and blankets.
Lots of blankets.
[Shivering]
[Footsteps Departing]
[Merlin]
When she spoke, her voice...
it was as though it came
from the depths
of the earth.
And her eyes,
they were so sad.
So much pain in them.
Who is she?
The Cailleach...
the gatekeeper
to the spirit world.
Why was she there?
It was on the stroke of
midnight on Samhain's eve,
the very moment when
the veil between the worlds
is at its thinnest.
It cannot be a coincidence.
Why was I the only one
to see her?
You have great power,
Merlin.
For someone so gifted,
such visions are not
uncommon.
But you don't understand.
It wasn't a vision.
She knew who I was.
She called me Emrys.
What is it?
What does it mean?
I'm not sure.
But if someone
has torn the veil
between the worlds,
then God help us all.
[Loud Clattering]
Merlin.
Merlin!
What?
[Knocking On Door]
Merlin!
- That's not me.
- [Door Opens]
Excuse me, sire.
You're needed
in the council chambers
as a matter of urgency.
[Woman Sobbing]
[Arthur]
What's happened to her?
Her village was attacked.
By who?
It's not entirely
clear, sire.
[Sobbing]
What's your name?
Drea.
Drea, I'm Arthur.
Don't be frightened.
[Drea Sobs]
[Arthur]
Tell me what happened.
My mother, my father,
my little sister, they're...
It's all right.
Someone attacked them.
Who?
There was no one.
Just...shapes.
You didn't see their faces?
They had no faces.
[Dorocha Shrieking, Faint]
I...I keep telling you.
They were there, but...
they weren't there.
They moved so quickly.
It was as if
they weren't real, but...
they must have been.
I could hear
the people screaming...
and then...silence.
They were all...dead.
[Crying]
Hey. Thank you.
[Crying]
Where is this village?
Howden.
It's to the east of
the White Mountains.
No more than
half a day's hard ride.
Ready the men.
[Woodpecker Tapping]
[Arthur]
Merlin,
you need
your comfort blanket.
What do you mean?
You're making me edgy.
[Whinnies]
That's a horse.
Maybe it sensed something.
Yes, that you're
a clot-poll.
That's my word.
Yeah, and it
suits you perfectly.
[Bird Squawking In Distance]
[Arthur]
It's too quiet.
[Wind Blowing]
[Squeaking]
[Door Creaks]
[Clawing]
[Bleats]
[Loud Crunch]
Sorry.
[Elyan]
Here!
[Dorocha Shrieking, Faint]
You saw it?
We are literally
chasing shadows.
Come on.
[Dorocha Shrieking, Faint]
[Object Clatters]
[Rustling]
[Screeches, Clucking]
[Exhales]
[Dorocha Shrieking, Faint]
[Wind Rushes]
[Dorocha Shrieking, Faint]
[Speaks Ancient Language]
[Ancient Language]
[Dorocha Shrieking]
[Shrieking]
[Loud Shrieking]
[Ancient Language]
What happened?
My magic...
I couldn't use it.
[Footsteps Running]
[Lancelot]
There's something out there.
You saw it?
- When it saw the light,
it fled.
- Let's get the horses.
It's not something you can chase
or something you can kill.
[Dorocha Shrieking]
- We need to get out of here.
- [Shrieking Continues]
[Bell Tolling]
[People Shouting]
Gwen! Warn Gaius.
There are more victims
by the western gate.
- [Shrieking]
- [Man Screams]
[Shrieking]
[Dorocha Shrieking, Faint]
Gaius.
Merlin.
You saw them?
Here, help me.
Get me some more sheets.
Merlin?
My magic is useless
against them.
I've tried.
I have never felt
so powerless.
Something deep inside.
And when it came for me,
I felt this emptiness.
I couldn't breathe.
I'm scared.
Merlin.
It's all right.
It's not your fault.
We've suffered 50 dead,
maybe more, mainly
in the lower town.
And there's no way
of fighting them?
No. Our only weapons
are torches.
And the light
doesn't kill them.
It only repels them.
What are they?
[Gaius]
The Dorocha, sire.
The spirits of the dead.
On Samhain's eve,
in the time
of the old religion,
the high priestesses would
perform a blood sacrifice
and release them.
But who would do
such a thing now?
Morgana.
You see her hand
in this?
We know she was traveling
to the Isle of the Blessed.
How do we defeat
these creatures?
I don't know, sire.
No mortal has ever
survived their touch.
[Dorocha Shrieks, Faint]
[Candle Clattering]
I thought I saw something.
- What was it, a spider?
- [Wind Gusts]
Just pick it up.
Do you want me to get
one of the maids to do it?
It's not a joke.
Yeah.
- [Sighs]
- You see, Merlin,
I could never be like you.
I could never let myself
look so spineless.
Oh, you see, I'm different.
I could never let myself
look heartless.
- What?
- Well, all right,
thoughtless.
- Never.
- Definitely humorless.
That's because
you're not funny.
[Chuckles]
[Shrieking, Faint]
You're not scared?
Oh, I am, Merlin.
Maybe more than you.
[Wind Gusts]
[Dorocha Shrieks, Faint]
[Whimpering]
Hey, hey, hey.
It's all right.
You're safe now.
[Dorocha Shrieking, Faint]
[Shrieking Continues]
- [Shrieking]
- [Shouting]
Thanks.
Couldn't let you have
all the glory, could I?
[Gaius]
They're coming from
across the kingdom.
They're looking to Camelot
for protection.
And we will give it to them.
[Agravaine]
We cannot house them all.
We have to try.
[Agravaine]
How?
We cannot live like this
forever, Arthur.
We must find a way
to vanquish these creatures.
Somewhere in all your books,
Gaius, there must be something.
All I'm asking for
is a way to fight them.
I fear the Dorocha cannot
be defeated by swords
and arrows, sire.
If I am right and the veil
between the worlds is torn,
then there's only
one path open to us...
to travel to
the Isle of the Blessed
and repair it.
And how do I do that?
I'm not sure,
but for the tear
to be created,
it would have required
a blood sacrifice.
To seal it
will require another.
We ride before nightfall.
And who will be the sacrifice?
If laying down my life will
spare the people of Camelot,
then that is what I must do.
My lady?
My lord.
I trust you bring good news.
Tell me.
The kingdom
is on its knees.
- How terrible.
- Indeed.
- What of the poor people?
- More fall every night.
Such a shame.
You should know that Arthur
intends to vanquish
these creatures.
[Chuckles]
Impossible.
He makes ready to go
to the Isle of the Blessed
as we speak.
And if the Dorocha
don't kill him on the way,
our brave little lamb
intends to sacrifice himself
to repair the veil.
Something's troubling you.
Morgana?
Something the Cailleach said.
She spoke of someone
called Emrys and...
called him my doom.
Your doom?
What does she mean?
I don't know.
Morgana, we should be
celebrating.
Arthur will be dead
within the week,
leaving the throne open
for Camelot's rightful heir.
There are many things
I have to thank you for.
You've taught me so much.
Most of all,
you have taught me...
what it is to be a prince.
I hope that this time
you'll be proud of me.
[Kisses]
Don't leave me.
I have to, Father.
Please.
Promise me you'll look
after him when I'm gone.
What is it?
You don't have to go.
I do.
Please, Arthur,
take care.
You are precious,
not just the kingdom.
Smile.
I can't.
Do you remember...
the first time I kissed you?
There.
That's the memory
I want to take with me.
Here, take this.
There's the royal seal.
In my absence, responsibility
for the kingdom rests with you.
What about your father?
Should he die, you're
to assume the throne.
Arthur...
You're the only person
I trust, Uncle.
I beg of you,
for the sake of the kingdom,
there must be another way.
My mind's made up.
I'm just grateful
you're here.
[Door Opens]
Merlin,
what are you doing?
It is my destiny
to protect Arthur.
How?
Your magic is powerless
against the Dorocha.
Then I must sacrifice myself
in his place.
- No.
- My life has always been
marked out by destiny.
If this is meant to be...
I'm not afraid.
I will gladly die, Gaius,
knowing that one day...
Albion will live.
Gwen.
Will you grant me a favor?
Anything.
Look after him.
Bring him home.
I will protect him
with my life.
You have my promise.
Thank you.
[Horse Whinnies]
Elyan,
look after the horses.
They need watering.
I need someone to
volunteer to get wood.
I'll do that.
You shouldn't be here.
You have no powers.
Doesn't matter.
You're not a warrior,
Merlin.
I don't want
to see you hurt.
If you leave in the morning,
I'll cover with Arthur.
It's your duty
to protect Camelot,
no matter what the cost.
Well, it's my duty
to protect Arthur.
Surely, you can
understand that?
I can understand that
very well.
[Thunder Rumbling
In Distance]
[Swords Clanging]
[Voices Groaning]
[Caws]
[Cawing]
[Morgana]
Help me, Emrys.
Please.
Is this really what
you wanted, Morgana?
Please!
[Gasps]
Emrys.
We need to reach Daelbeth
by nightfall.
[Arthur] Pair off.
Find any wood you can.
Get the fires burning.
[Dorocha Shrieking]
[Man Screams]
[Screaming]
[Screams]
[Dorocha Shrieking]
[Man Screaming]
- [Screaming Continues]
- [Shrieking Continues]
[Screaming]
[Shrieking]
[Loud Shrieking]
- We haven't got enough!
- Go!
[Speaking Ancient Language]
It won't get us
through the night.
It'll keep the area
safe for a while.
The last one.
Maybe we should draw lots,
see who gets some more.
- I'll go.
- You'll need help.
- I'll go with him.
- You sure you're
the right person?
And since when have you known
how to collect firewood?
[Others Chuckling]
[Wind Blowing]
- [Loud Shrieking]
- Merlin, look out!
Let's go!
[Shrieking]
They should have
been back by now.
Someone needs to go
and look for them.
We've only got
one torch between us.
Who's coming?
[Dorocha Shrieking]
[Shivering]
What?
It's cold.
Right.
You're not feeling it?
I...
You know, Merlin,
you're braver than
we give you credit for.
Really? Was that
a compliment?
Don't be stupid.
[Chuckles]
[Dorocha Shrieks]
[Dorocha Shrieking]
[Shivering]
[Shrieking, Faint]
All the things I've faced,
I've never worried
about dying.
I don't think
you should now.
Sometimes you puzzle me.
You never
fathomed me out?
No.
I always thought that if
things had been different,
we'd have been good friends.
Yeah.
That's if you hadn't
been such an arrogant,
pompous dollop-head.
[Chuckles]
We'll defeat the Dorocha.
We will, Arthur.
Together.
Well, I appreciate that.
You know, you're
a brave man, Merlin.
Between battles.
[Chuckles]
You don't know how many times
I've saved your life.
[Chuckles]
If I ever become king,
I'm going to have you
made court jester.
[Both Laughing]
[Dorocha Shrieking]
[Shrieking Continues]
[Shrieking]
They say the darkest hour
is just before the dawn.
It's pretty dark
right now.
It can't be long then.
[Loud Shrieking]
[Arthur]
Merlin, no!
[Gasps, Groans]
[Loud Shrieking]
What happened?
Merlin.
The Dorocha cannot be allowed
to remain in this world.
The sundered veil
must be restored.
[Merlin]
Arthur intends to sacrifice
himself to heal the veil.
I must take his place.
Merlin, you must not
do this.