Dragon's voice:
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.
(Birds chirping)
(Merlin sneezes)
You're still angry
with me, aren't you?
We spend
the entire day hunting,
catch nothing,
because every time we got
anywhere near anything,
you sneezed
and frightened it away.
- Not the last time.
- No, that time you fell
into a stream.
No one could accuse you
of being predictable, Merlin.
- I think I'm getting a cold.
- Let's hope it's a bad one.
(Woman screams)
What was that?
I think it was a bird.
(Woman screams)
That? That was definitely
a woman screaming.
Why couldn't it
have just been a bird?
Never just a bird.
(Screaming continues)
What are you doing?
Well, I assume you want
to risk our lives and see
what's going on.
(Woman wailing)
I never thought
I'd say this, Merlin,
but you're learning.
Arthur:
Let the woman go.
Man:
This woman has been
sentenced to death.
It does not concern you.
I am Arthur pendragon,
king of Camelot,
and your village is
in my lands.
Her sorcery
has brought
sickness and suffering
to this village.
Did she receive
a fair trial?
Your father would have
shown her no mercy.
I am not my father.
Now cut her down.
I will not endanger the lives
of all who live here.
I said
cut her down.
(Branch snaps)
Arthur:
Is there anything more
you can do for her?
She won't make it
through the night.
Make her as comfortable
as possible.
Thank you.
You should try
and get some rest.
My time has come.
When you have lived
as long as I,
you no longer fear
the journey
to the next world.
A gift for you.
Show it kindness
and compassion.
Those are
the qualities of...
A true king.
Open it.
It's beautiful.
It has the power
to summon the spirits
of the dead.
(Gasping)
(Exhales)
(Theme music playing)
Gaius:
The horn of cathbad.
When uther attacked
the isle of the blessed,
the horn of cathbad
was smuggled to safety
before the temple fell.
It hasn't been
heard of since.
The old woman said
it could be used
to open a door
to the spirit world.
I have seen it
with my own eyes.
Long before the time
of the great purge,
I took part
in such ceremonies.
Each year at beltane,
the high priestesses
would gather
at the great stones
of nemeton
and summon the spirits
of their ancestors.
It holds powerful magic.
You must keep it safe.
- (Music playing)
- (People chattering)
(Scattered laughter)
He's always like this
at the anniversary
of his coronation.
I thought it was
a cause for celebration.
(Sighs)
It is.
But it's also the anniversary
of uther's death.
(Knocks on door)
(Footsteps approach)
- What are you doing?
- Nothing.
Thinking.
You thinking?
Well, now I'm really
getting worried.
Shut up.
- Leave it.
- Why?
Because I'm telling you to
and I'm the king of Camelot.
- (Chuckles)
- Not that that seems
to mean anything to you.
Ready the horses
and gather some supplies.
- Uh, where are we going?
- You don't need to know.
Do not breathe a word
of this to anyone.
Not even Guinevere.
You're threatening me
with a spoon?
- (Smacks)
- Merlin: Ow!
I'm getting
a very bad feeling
about this place.
That is because
you are a coward.
No, it's because
I value my life
and I don't want
to die horribly.
Fair point.
So are we going
to turn back?
No.
What are they?
The great stones
of nemeton.
- You're going to use it?
- This'll be the only chance
I'll have to see
my father again.
I can't let it pass.
This is powerful magic.
My father was taken
from me before his time.
Now there isn't
a day that passes
when I don't think
of the things I'd wished
I'd said to him.
If you were given
the same chance
to see your father,
talk to him,
wouldn't you do the same?
(Blares)
(Wind blowing)
Father.
Arthur.
I thought
I'd never see you again.
There isn't a day
that passes
when I don't think of you.
And I you.
There are times
when I feel so alone,
I wish more than anything
that you were by my side.
If I were at your side,
I fear you would not like
all that I have to say.
- What do you mean?
- Many of the decisions
you've made
since you've become king
go against all that
I taught you.
I have done what
I believed to be right.
You have ignored
our tradition,
our ancient lores.
You have allowed common men
to become knights.
And they are some
of the finest knights
that Camelot's ever known.
They would gladly give
their lives for the kingdom.
They question your decisions.
- They make you look weak.
- Listening to others
is a sign of strength,
not weakness.
How do you expect
anyone to fear a king
who does not know
his own mind?
I don't want
my people to respect me
because they fear me.
Then they will not
respect you at all.
Your marriage
should have served
to form an alliance
with another kingdom.
You choose to marry
a serving girl.
I married for love.
I love Guinevere...
More than I can express.
There are some things
that are more important
than love.
It is your duty
to strengthen
and protect the kingdom.
You have failed.
I've always strived
to make you proud.
How can I be proud
of a son who ignores
everything that
I taught him,
who is destroying
my legacy?
- I've brought peace
to the kingdom.
- At what price?
The peace cannot last.
If you are not strong,
the kingdom will fall.
You must go now.
I need more time.
There's still so much
I wish to say.
If you stay,
you will be forever trapped
in the world of the dead.
You must go now.
Go.
This...
Can't be the last time
I'll ever see you.
Think about everything
that I have said to you.
It isn't too late.
Now go.
I will always
love you, Arthur.
Arthur.
Do you want
to talk about it?
What happened
at the stones?
It seems my father
doesn't approve
of the way I've chosen
to rule his kingdom.
You mean your kingdom.
The things he said
about the knights,
about marrying Guinevere...
What if he's right?
What if I have...
Weakened Camelot?
No. Do you really
believe that?
You've always done what
you believe to be right.
People respect you.
Thank you, Merlin.
Some people still think
you're a foolish arrogant ass.
Who?
Very funny.
We should get some sleep.
We covered the area
from paulet down to meldreth.
This includes 30 troops
at bawtry,
15 at tallen,
10 at chime,
nine at broom...
(Slams)
...11 at bowell.
I want the table
repaired before
the next council meeting.
Are you listening
to me, Merlin?
What? Sorry,
I was just thinking
about what happened.
Did you get
a terrible fright?
Yes, my heart
nearly jumped out
through my mouth.
Well, maybe you should have
the rest of the day off
and put your feet up.
Really?
- You were joking.
- There really is no limit
to your intelligence,
is there, Merlin?
(Wind blows)
Merlin.
- (Rain pattering)
- (Thunder crashing)
Why does it always take you
twice as long to change
out of your armor?
Because I'm twice the size
of you, little man.
Then why is it that
your brain is so small?
(Door shuts)
- (Wind blows)
- (Wood clatters)
(Rattling)
Hello?
Someone there?
Show yourself.
(Wind blows)
- (Blood squelches)
- Ahh!
The axe must've fallen
off the rack.
I'm surprised that
a falling axe would cause
such a deep wound.
Percival:
Not surprised as I was.
Quite.
You're lucky you weren't
more severely injured.
Strange.
What's that?
Just before it happened,
I sensed something,
like there was
someone there watching me.
I'm sure it was just my mind
playing tricks on me.
Apply a second poultice
in the morning and no training.
Thank you, Gaius.
(Wind blowing)
Is there
something wrong, Merlin?
Merlin, I get
the distinct impression
there's something
you're not telling me.
No. Why would
you say that?
Because there usually is.
We went to the stones
of nemeton.
- Merlin, I warned
you of the dangers!
- I tried to stop him.
He was insistent.
What is it, Merlin?
After the candelabra fell,
I was in the corridor
outside the council chambers.
I could sense something.
It was like percival said,
a presence of some kind.
In the days
of the old religion,
the priestesses trained
for years before entering
into the spirit world.
It was fraught
with dangers.
There was one thing
they were schooled
never to do...
As the veil closed,
they were never to look
back at the spirit.
What happened if they did?
They'd release
the spirit into this world.
(Paper rustles)
Arthur must've looked back.
- What?
- At the stones of nemeton,
I think that
you may have released
your father's spirit.
And what makes you
think that?
Did you look back?
As the veil closed,
did you look back
at your father?
(Silverware clicks)
I may have glanced around
for a second.
In that second,
you unleashed
uther's spirit.
All these strange things
that have been happening...
Candelabra falling
onto the round table...
Yes, because the chain broke.
- ...the axe
falling on percival.
- Was an accident.
- Was it?
- Do you really expect me
to believe that
my father's spirit is
responsible for these things?
The round table represents
everything that's changed
since you became king.
You told me
how uther disapproved.
He's angry with you,
and that makes him dangerous.
I know my father.
He wouldn't do these things.
I think he'd do anything
to protect his legacy.
- Who knows what
he's capable of?
- Enough. That's enough.
Leave me.
Go.
(Door opens)
(Door shuts)
(Wind blowing)
(Clatters)
Is someone there?
(Banging)
(Banging continues)
(Banging)
(Banging stops)
(Grunts)
(Screaming)
- (Clatters)
- (Screams)
(Gasps, panting)
- (Screaming)
- (Banging)
(Incants)
(Coughs)
Gwen!
(Coughing)
Gwen.
Merlin:
You know
this was uther.
- Arthur: We don't
know what happened.
- So Gwen just mysteriously
ended up locked
in the kitchen, which just
mysteriously caught fire?
(Thunder rumbling)
You said yourself
uther disapproved
of you marrying Gwen.
- He wouldn't do this.
- I know how hard
this is for you.
Gaius, how is she?
Smoke has entered
her lungs,
but with time,
she'll heal.
I've given her
a sleeping draught.
She was lucky to escape
with her life.
I've always known
my father could be cruel,
but why would he
do this to Guinevere?
He knows how much I love her.
Gaius.
What do you know
about ghosts?
Gaius's voice:
We must force uther's spirit
to return to the other world
before he does any more harm.
(Bubbles, sizzles)
You must use
the horn of cathbad
to re-open the veil
between the worlds.
- (Sizzles)
- But you must remember
one thing...
Only the person
who summoned the spirit
can force it
from this world.
(Clatters loudly)
Sorry.
Well, you're fortunate
I'm not easily frightened.
Really? 'Cause it looked like
you jumped out of your skin.
Yeah, it's because
you're a clumsy oaf.
Now pick that lot up.
Where is Gaius?
How long does it take
to make a potion?
These things take time,
if they're to be
done properly.
(Door rattles)
What is it?
(Whispers)
I heard something
behind the door.
You're imagining things, Merlin.
(Chuckles)
(Door rattling)
(Whispers)
What do we do?
(Tray clatters)
(Pants)
- (Gasps)
- (Chittering)
- (Sighing)
- There's your ghost, Merlin.
(Merlin and Arthur gasp)
- (Bangs)
- The potion will allow you
to see uther
in his spirit form.
Once you're
in his presence,
you must blow the horn.
It's the only way
you can force him to go
back to the spirit world.
(Pops)
- Is it safe?
- (Inhales sharply)
I can't say
I'm entirely sure.
- What are you waiting for?
- To see if it's safe.
So if I don't die,
you'll take yours?
Precisely.
Get on with it.
Well, at least
we know it doesn't
kill you instantly.
(Gags, moans)
That... oh!
That is the foulest thing
I've ever tasted.
Sorry, did I forget
to tell you about that part?
(Coughing)
- Merlin: There.
- Where?
Oh. It's just our shadows.
- (Slaps)
- Merlin: Ow!
(Sighs)
(Wind blowing)
(Footsteps approaching)
Arthur. Merlin.
- Both: Leon.
- Is everything
all right, my lord?
It's perfectly fine.
We're...
Merlin, tell Leon
what we're doing.
We're...
I'm teaching him
some poetry.
Poetry?
I... love poetry.
(Chuckling)
I was as surprised
as you are.
He can't get
enough of it.
I'll leave you
to your poetry then,
my lord.
Poetry? That's the best
you could come up with?
- Oh, what did
you want me to say?
- I don't know.
Something that didn't
make me sound like
a love-struck girl.
- What was that?
- That was my father.
Never thought the day
would come when I'd be
hunting my own father.
When I became king,
more than anything,
I wanted to make him proud.
- What is it?
- You've always done what
you believe to be right,
even if you knew your father
would disapprove of it.
Do you not see how
different you are to him?
Camelot's a better place
since you became king.
Father clearly
doesn't think so.
The people believe
in you, Arthur.
That counts for nothing
if you don't believe
in yourself.
(Wind blowing)
(Bangs)
(Glass shatters)
Check the storeroom.
- (Bangs)
- (Rattling)
(Creaking)
Arthur!
(Wind blowing)
(Wind gusts)
(Footsteps approaching)
(Whispers) Merlin.
Merlin, is that you?
Father?
(Clatters)
(Door creaking)
- (Door slams)
- (Clangs)
(Wind blowing)
I know it's you, father.
- Why are you doing this?
- I did not spend my entire life
building this kingdom
to see my own son destroy it.
- You tried to kill Guinevere.
- For your own good.
How can a serving girl
understand what it means
to queen?
Guinevere is
wise and strong,
and I trust her
more than anyone.
And that is your weakness.
You put too much trust
in other people.
You and you alone
must rule Camelot.
I would rather
not rule at all
than rule alone.
Your whole life
I tried to prepare you
for the day you would
become king.
Did you learn nothing?
I watched you rule.
I learned that
if you trust no one,
you'll always live in fear.
Your hatred came from fear,
not strength.
How dare you?
I loved and respected you,
but I have to rule
the kingdom in my own way.
I have to do what
I believe to be right.
I will not allow you
to destroy all that I built!
Then you'll have to kill me.
I'm not you, father.
I can't rule
the way you did.
Camelot must come
before all else.
Even you.
(Clatters)
(Body thuds)
Get away from him, uther.
You've caused enough harm.
You don't belong here.
You must return
to the other world.
This is my kingdom.
You think you can
drive me from it?
You are nothing
but a serving boy.
I'm much more than that.
You have magic.
I was born with it!
I made you
Arthur's servant.
- You are a sorcerer.
- Even while you were king
there was magic
at the heart of Camelot.
I will not allow you
and your kind
- to poison my kingdom!
- You're wrong. You're wrong
about so much.
Arthur is a better
and more worthy king
than you ever were.
(Roars)
(Wind blowing)
(Rustles)
(Incants)
- (Metal clangs)
- (Chain rattling)
(Wind gusts)
(Gasps)
- (Approaching footsteps)
- (Grunts)
It will give me
great pleasure killing you.
Father!
Arthur.
No.
Please.
Whatever I've done,
I've done for Camelot.
You've had your turn.
Now it's mine.
- Merlin has...
- (Blares)
(Screams)
(Chuckles)
- (Bell pealing)
- Arthur: I've always
looked up to my father.
I admired and respected him
more than anyone.
I have to accept
that I can't please him.
Be true to myself.
Uther did what
he thought he had to do
to protect the kingdom.
It doesn't mean
he was right.
I want to build a kingdom
that's fair and just.
One where everyone's respected,
regardless of rank.
Does that include me?
Of course.
So...
Does that mean
that you're not going
to hit me anymore?
- When do I ever hit you?
- All the time.
That's not hitting, Merlin.
That's...
Merely friendly slaps.
- It's horseplay.
- So can I give you
a friendly slap?
You can certainly try.
What the hell was that?
It was, um...
Horseplay.
No, Merlin,
you're doing it all wrong.
Why don't I show you?
(Creaks)
(Dramatic music playing)
Princess mithian!
I have no one else
to turn to but you, Arthur.
(Incants)
You kill me and you'll have
all of Camelot to answer to.
(Theme music playing)