[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.
Arthur, you are
not serious.
What else
do you have in mind?
Anything.
Nothing good ever happens
in the Valley
of the Fallen Kings.
No one in their right mind
would go in there.
Exactly.
The route's a secret, Merlin.
That's why we chose it.
[Shouting]
Not so secret after all.
No need to get cocky.
[Shouting]
[Horse Whinnies]
[Shouts]
[Horse Whinnies]
[Groans]
Arthur!
[Grunts]
[Shouts]
[Sword Rings]
[Heart Beating]
[Exhales]
[Arthur]
Merlin!
They need to work
through their anger.
They just did. On you.
[Chuckles]
[Arthur]
A night's rest and you'll
be polishing my armor.
It could definitely
do with a scrub.
[Merlin Wheezes]
[Grunts]
[Bird Squawking In Distance]
[Sighs]
I've seen worse.
Definitely seen worse.
On a dead man.
You're not going to die, Merlin.
Don't be such a coward.
If I do die,
will you call me a hero?
Probably.
But whilst I'm still alive,
I'm a coward.
That's the way
these things work,
I'm afraid.
You get the glory
when you're not around
to appreciate it.
[Scoffs]
Unless you're the king.
It's got to have
some advantages.
You have a very good servant.
You're right. I do.
A servant who is
extremely brave...
and incredibly loyal,
to be honest.
Not at all cowardly.
Thank you for saving my life.
You'd do the same for me.
[Birds Chirping]
[Voices In Distance]
I'd love to say we can stay and
rest, but another 10 minutes...
we'll be mercenary mincemeat.
[Groans]
Leave me.
Now's not the time
for jokes.
Please leave me.
Sure, whatever you say.
[Groans]
[Shouts]
[Groans]
[Shouting]
[Speaking Ancient Language]
Merlin!
[Panting]
[Footsteps Shuffling]
[Morgana]
We lost how many men?
And you bring me
how many men?
Or should I say,
how many servants?
Arthur was within our grasp.
That's supposed
to make me feel better?
The rockfall
was hardly our fault.
I must show my presence
in Camelot.
The old physician
already suspects me.
Gaius is shrewd.
You should take care.
After all, if your true nature
is revealed, I really don't know
what use I'll have for you.
Morgana...
I'll dispatch this servant.
You will do no such thing.
Arthur is strangely
fond of the boy.
He could prove useful.
Very useful indeed.
[Gasps]
Good morning.
Is it?
Oh, don't be like that.
We've a lot
of catching up to do.
After all,
I haven't seen you...
since you condemned my sister
to a slow and painful death,
thwarted my plans
to take over Camelot...
and forced me
to live in a hovel.
Couldn't do me a favor,
could you?
Let Arthur know.
He still thinks of me
as an underachiever.
But I'm quite proud
of those accomplishments.
I can die happy.
You're not going to die.
Oh, no.
I'm not going
to make it that easy.
[Grunts]
Nice to see you too.
Where's Merlin?
He's alive.
Last I saw of him,
he was still alive.
Dispatch patrols
at first light.
Scour every inch
of that forest.
Yes, sire.
We'll find him, Gaius.
We will.
[Bird Squawking]
You know, there's one thing
I don't understand, Merlin.
You're Arthur's servant,
nothing more.
Yet time and again, you've
proved yourself willing to
lay down your life for him.
What are you doing?
You've never seen Gaius
clean a wound before?
All right,
I know what you're doing.
What I don't know is why.
I believe I asked you
a question first.
Why are you
so loyal to Arthur?
[Exhales]
I don't expect you
to understand, Morgana.
You have no sense of duty,
no sense of loyalty.
You're wrong.
Don't think I don't understand
loyalty just because I've got
no one left to be loyal to.
[Speaking
Ancient Language]
[Ancient Language]
[Agravaine]
We have scoured the forest.
Scour it again.
Sire, there is
no sign of Merlin.
None but this.
I am sorry you've lost
such a loyal and...
The mercenaries...
what news of them?
We found no trace.
Surely sent
by that snake, Alinor.
It can't be.
How?
Our route was known only
to a few within Camelot.
Then there's only
one conclusion we can draw.
We have a traitor
in our midst.
[Morgana Speaking
Ancient Language]
[Creature Hissing]
[Hissing Continues]
I take it you've never
met a Fomorroh before.
[Hissing]
[Morgana Chuckles]
Oh. He's
a little grumpy.
He's not used to being
out in the light.
Well, my friend,
I have called you
from your depths
for a very good reason.
[Squeals]
[Hissing, Squealing]
[Hissing]
The Fomorroh are creatures
of dark magic.
Even if you cut off their heads,
you cannot kill them.
Another will just grow
in its place.
In the days
of the old religion,
they were revered
by the high priestesses...
because they allowed them
to control people's minds.
The Fomorroh will suck
the life force out of you,
and everything
that makes you Merlin
will be gone.
And in its place,
there will be just one thought.
One thought that will grow
until it's consumed you
completely.
One thought that will be
your life's work.
You will not be able to rest
until it's done.
And that one thought
is simple.
You must kill
Arthur Pendragon.
[Gasping]
[Chains Rattling]
[Bell Tolling]
[Rooster Crows]
Who are you?
I am your new manservant, sire.
I have polished your armor,
sharpened your sword,
selected your clothes.
There is a slight chill
in the air today, sir.
And now,
if you would allow me,
I would like
to serve you breakfast.
What's your name?
George, sire,
at your service.
George. Listen, George,
it's all very impressive.
Very impressive indeed.
But I already have
a manservant.
All right, he's shabby-looking,
has appalling manners.
He's extremely forgetful.
He seems to spend most
of his time in the tavern.
But he is...
my manservant.
To be honest,
I quite like it that way.
[Murmurs]
I'm as worried about Merlin
as you are.
You're not going
to change my mind.
Who knows if the mercenaries
have even left the forest?
I have to go.
The patrols found
no sign of him.
Do you really expect me
to accept that...
just to sit here
and take their word
that Merlin's gone?
I won't rest until
I at least try.
I know.
Just...Do one thing for me.
Please don't go alone.
[Gwaine]
He won't be going alone.
See? Now you've condemned me
to a day of mindless chatter.
Good.
We'll return.
You'd better.
[Horse Nickers]
[Exhales]
You know what I like
about Merlin?
He never expects
any praise.
All these things he does
just for the good
of doing them...
[Muffled Groan]
Declare yourself.
[Laughs]
[Arthur]
Merlin!
[Sword Plunges]
I thought we'd lost you.
[Laughs]
[Chickens Clucking]
[Slithering]
Don't do that again,
Merlin.
My heart cannot
take the strain.
Yes, well, you are
getting on a bit.
What is this?
It's a special welcome home.
Your favorite.
[Coughs]
I think that you should stick
to cooking up potions, Gaius.
This tastes like the bog
Arthur found me in.
[Chuckles]
How did you escape?
With great skill.
Can I ask you something?
Yes, of course.
Anything.
What is the strongest poison
that you possess?
I had this great opportunity
to lace the bandits' food
with poison...
and nothing to do it with.
Well, that would be aconite.
"Aconite."
I should take some of this
with me from now on.
You never know when you might
need to kill someone.
Indeed.
[All Chattering]
Ooh, you stink
worse than your food.
Back to work,
or I'll be using your face
to scrub that pot clean.
Ah, bog man.
[Inhales]
I have to say,
you're smelling better.
This is food
for the king of Camelot...
and is not meant to be soiled
by your filthy fingers.
[Arthur]
Thank you, Gwynevere.
That is very kind.
Oh, I might have known.
Hello, Merlin.
What's this?
Uh, lunch.
Look, I know you like
to take every opportunity
to be by his side,
but this is just
getting ridiculous.
You'll be pouring
his bathwater next.
Merlin,
is something wrong?
This is what's wrong.
I was just trying to help.
I thought you needed some rest.
Rest? No, I don't
need rest.
Do you know how long it took me
to prepare this meal?
I cooked it myself.
I think this is just a case
of a simple misunderstanding.
Yes, you would take
her side, wouldn't you?
Excuse me?
Merlin, I think
you must be tired.
You've been through
quite an ordeal.
I just want to resume
my normal duties.
Well, I'll be pleased to have
your assistance preparing for
the knighting ceremony later.
Thank you, sire.
[Snorts]
Merlin, are you all right?
I...I'm pacing.
Yes, I can see that.
A man who is "all right"
does not pace, Gaius.
No, well, that's why I asked.
I am wrestling with a problem.
And there are many factors
to take into consideration,
and I have not yet
come up with a solution.
Can I be of assistance?
[Chuckles]
No.
Would you like to share
the problem with me?
No.
Sometimes two heads
are better than one.
Yes, but not
when one of them's yours.
What are you after?
Arthur wants a crossbow.
That one's ancient.
Probably wouldn't hurt a fly.
If you did want to hurt a fly,
or even a human,
what would you use?
You would use a thing of beauty
like this.
Carved from 50-year-old ash.
Um, be careful.
Oh!
Will that do the job?
Oh, yes. That will
do the job nicely.
[Chuckles]
What is
the job exactly?
To kill Arthur.
Driving you mad, is he?
Not for much longer.
[Laughs]
[Exhales]
[Arthur]
Talk about a bad use of time.
A potential traitor
in our midst,
and I have to prepare
for a knighting ceremony.
Maybe it's one of the knights
who wants to kill me.
Maybe it's you.
[Chuckles]
Don't look so worried, Merlin.
I don't really think
you want to kill me.
[Chattering]
[Sniffing]
Aconite.
Wolfsbane to you.
The most deadly poison
known to man.
What was it doing
on Arthur's food?
Merlin took some
from here earlier.
He was really angry
when he realized Arthur
wasn't going to eat it.
He has been behaving
very strangely.
But why would Merlin
want to kill Arthur?
Merlin wouldn't.
Not if he was
in his right mind.
Have you seen Merlin?
He was in the armory.
What did he want in there?
A crossbow.
I think Arthur must be
getting on his nerves.
Why?
[Whispering]
He said he was
going to kill him.
[Laughs]
[Arthur]
What do you think
about Percival?
He's very big.
Does that make him a traitor?
Are you going
to get dressed?
Have you got
somewhere to be?
Percival's family were
killed by Cenred's army.
He hates everything
to do with Morgana.
You're right.
And he has pledged
his allegiance.
I'm wrong to doubt him.
I need to put it
from my mind.
[Slithering]
You must get dressed.
Indeed.
Elyan didn't
ride out with us.
Maybe he's concerned about
my relationship with Gwynevere.
[Arthur]
Elyan...could he
be the traitor?
My father
killed his father.
Could you get me
my ceremonial sword?
The ceremonial sword.
Of course.
I find it hard to believe
that Elyan would think
ill of me, but...
can't trust anyone.
In fact I think you, Merlin,
are the only person I can trust.
I know. I'm late.
[Sword Ringing]
[Loud Clang]
I feared as much.
What is it?
It's a Fomorroh.
Whoever put it there
was very highly skilled.
[Gwen]
What does it do?
In the days of the old religion,
they were used by
the high priestess...
to enslave the minds
of her enemies.
Once a thought was planted,
the victim would not stop
till they'd accomplished it.
First we must paralyze
the serpent.
Is it dead?
Sadly not.
Merely dormant.
Now for the tricky bit.
Pass me the blade.
[Blade Piercing Skin]
[Squelching]
[Sucking]
That's it?
I believe so.
We have the old Merlin back.
Arthur is safe once more.
Let us hope so.
Arthur.
An unexpected pleasure.
There's something I wish
to discuss with you, Uncle.
Of course.
I am afraid I don't take
the matter of the traitor
as lightly as you do.
Sire, I hope you
don't think I meant...
I have been looking into how
the mercenaries discovered
the route through the forest.
None of the knights had
the opportunity to betray me.
I have questioned
the counselors. Only three
were aware of the treaty.
Of those, none but yourself
knew of the route
I was planning to take.
Are you seriously
suggesting that I...
It brings me no pleasure
to doubt you, Uncle.
Then let me reassure you
that you have
no reason to doubt.
You are all that is left
of my dear sister.
If I betray you, Arthur,
I betray her.
And that, I will never do.
Th-There is one other person
who knew your route.
Gaius.
[Birds Chirping]
[Snoring]
How do you feel?
Never better.
It's great to have you back.
What do you remember?
About what?
I'll take it
that means nothing.
[Slithering]
I have a feeling today's
going to be a good day.
My father prepared me well
for being king.
But he told me nothing
of the loneliness of the job,
what it's like to have
all eyes on you,
waiting for you
to provide the answer.
♪ [Humming]
In all the years I watched him,
he never wavered
in his certainty.
He was strong.
He was sure.
I'm not in that place yet.
I value the guidance of others.
Maybe I have been
foolish to do so.
Everyone has
their own agenda.
It feels like I can
trust no one anymore.
[Loud Clang]
Is that how you see it,
Merlin? Gwynevere!
Arthur!
[Chuckles]
Gaius.
You're not Merlin.
No.
There was a problem
with the bathwater.
Really?
Yes, it's cold.
Very cold.
Merlin's gone to remedy it.
I don't think you can
have a bath today!
Right.
Good job I'm not
very dirty then.
That's a good job indeed!
[Sighs]
[Snorts]
So let me get this straight.
If you kill one, another
grows in its place.
I've heard such stories
in the past, but never
thought they were true.
That will silence it
for a while.
Ha!
[Coughs]
What is that...
Arthur's socks?
[Chuckles]
What are you trying
to do to me?
I'm trying to stop you
from killing the king.
[Chuckles]
Ooh.
[Gaius]
So, you don't
remember anything?
I remember Morgana
conjuring the snake,
but...nothing more.
No.
Lucky for us
you're such a bad assassin.
But all is well now.
I feel fine.
For now,
the serpent is dormant.
But when it wakes, your mind
will be Morgana's once more.
And nothing will stop you
from killing Arthur.
How do we get rid of it
if it keeps growing back?
There's only one way,
I'm afraid.
You have to kill
the mother beast.
The creature that lives
in Morgana's hut?
Great. How long have I got?
How long before
this thing wakes up?
A day. No more.
And I wouldn't face her alone.
Don't worry.
I won't be there at all.
Well, not exactly.
She won't recognize me
if I'm 80 years old.
Uh, what shall I say
if Arthur asks for you?
Uh, tell him I'm anywhere.
Anywhere but the tavern.
[Whoosh]
Ah.
Oh!
[Grunting]
Ah.
[Chuckles]
Gentlemen.
What a pleasant surprise.
I wish we could say
the same thing.
Move away from the horse,
please.
What lovely manners.
I do admire a man
who says "please."
Now.
Have you got bigger?
You'll be getting shorter
if I have my way.
Nice. I like it.
Leon, really, there must be
something in the knights' code
about how to treat an old man.
You're not just any old man,
though, are you?
You escaped the flames once.
You won't escape again.
[Merlin] So!
And you are not what you seem.
What is he talking about?
I've a good mind
to run you through right now!
I think Arthur would prefer
to see him alive.
Oh! Oh, no.
Really, Arthur does not
want to see me.
Believe me.
In fact,
if Arthur does see me,
he will be in grave danger.
Are you threatening
the life of our king?
Percival! That is a sword.
It does hurt.
Yes, I am afraid to say...
that if you don't
let me go,
then there is every chance
that I will kill your king!
Say that again.
Why? Have you got
ale in your ears?
[Screams]
Stop!
Ha! Thank you, gentlemen!
So considerate
to help an old man.
[Laughs]
[Cackling]
Stupid.
[Morgana]
I trust you bring me news
of my brother's untimely death.
I wish it were so,
my lady.
But I do bring information
of an equally enticing nature.
I have planted
the seed of suspicion
in our young king's mind.
I have struck a blow
at the very heart
of Old Camelot.
Go on.
Arthur grew unsure
of my motives.
But I have turned
the situation
to our advantage.
How so?
I used it to implicate
an old friend of yours...
Gaius.
I think there are some
interesting times ahead
for our physician.
[Chuckles]
You have done well.
But it's hardly information
of an "enticing" kind, is it?
Is Gaius dead?
No.
Is Gaius mortally wounded?
Does Gaius have
so much as a sore head?
No, my lady.
So, my lord,
you can do better.
And you will do better.
[Snorts]
Ah.
[Sniffs]
[Murmurs]
You're not real.
Whatever you say!
[Knife Flicks]
[Voice Quavering]
You're just my imagination.
That's right.
I'm not really here.
Just pretend...
that I'm not really here.
And I'll just get this
and go.
[Speaking Ancient Language]
[Gasps]
[Hissing]
[Groans]
[Gasps]
So, Emrys...
[Gasps]
It seems you will not
be my doom after all.
[Ancient Language]
[Gasps]
[Groans]
[Panting]
If I'm to die by your hand,
you can at least
tell me who you are.
Did Arthur send you?
But you're no friend of his.
Magic has no place in Camelot.
It never will.
Not until I take the throne.
Please spare me.
I only want
what is rightfully mine.
Perhaps...it can still be so!
[Gasping]
[Hissing]
[Speaking Ancient Language]
[Wind Blows]
[Ancient Language]
[Panting]
[Groans]
[Hissing]
[Ancient Language]
[Hissing, Squealing]
[Sighs]
[Panting]
[Gaius]
This is becoming
something of a habit.
[Chuckles]
I hope not.
Well...
[Grunts]
Don't worry.
It cannot grow back again.
[Clinks]
Merlin.
You're back.
[Chuckles]
Dare I look?
Oh, don't worry.
It's completely gone.
I've no desire
to kill Arthur.
[Gwen]
That's great news.
Although I'm afraid, right now,
he does want to kill you.
Two whole days
in the tavern.
[Scoffs]
I'm not quite sure
it was that long.
Give me one good reason
why I shouldn't get rid
of you on the spot.
Because you would have no one
to polish your armor,
make you breakfast,
organize your clothes.
Ah, well, that's where
you're wrong.
George.
Merlin, meet George.
George is perhaps the most
efficient servant
I've ever seen.
He'll be spending the rest
of the week teaching you.
Teaching me?
If you wish to remain
in my service.
[George]
We will start
in the armory.
Lesson one is my favorite.
Polishing.
Yes, that's my favorite too.
Tell me something.
If he's so good,
why don't you
just give him the job?
He's seriously boring.
I've never met anyone so dull.
The man makes jokes
about brass.
Anyway, off you go.
It'll be fun.
[Horse Panting]
Morgana?
Morgana!
[Breath Quavering]
Merlin.
Go on, sleep.
I know everyone thinks
he's a traitor, but he's not.
He's been abducted.
He may even be dead.
Who...is...Emrys?
[Agravaine] Merlin's onto us.
He's out searching for Gaius
even as we speak.
So you know
who Emrys is?
Indeed, I do.
Then tell me.