In a land of myth
and a time of magic,
the destiny
of a great kingdom
rests on the shoulders
of a young man.
Merlin.
Well, this is nice,
isn't it?
Just the two of us.
Well, three of us.
Merlin?
Merlin doesn't count.
Don't count?
Not here, not actually
speaking right now,
aren't you impressed
that I remembered
our anniversary?
But you didn't remember.
I reminded you over
a month ago.
Yes, but I remembered
that it was today...
- Today.
- Ah.
- Actually, I did.
- Shut up, Merlin.
- I did.
Arthur!
You're very fortunate, sire.
A fall like that,
you could've broken
your neck.
What about
the men who attacked us?
Have they been questioned?
I'm sorry, sire.
Their wounds were fatal.
- We were unable to learn
anything from them.
- We know one thing...
It can't have
been a coincidence
that they were there.
Sire.
We recovered your saddle
from the forest trail.
The girth has been
unpicked and restitched.
It was designed
to break, sire.
It appears,
Merlin, on this single,
solitary occasion,
you may be right.
Afternoon, sir knights.
Horses are shod
and watered as requested.
- You are tyr seward?
- I am, sir Gwaine.
You know I am.
- Stable hand to the king?
- That is my honor, yes.
Is the king not pleased
with my work?
Have I done
something wrong?
Are you gelda seward,
mother of tyr seward?
- Yes.
- And you live here
with your son?
- Is he in some kind of trouble?
- He's been arrested on
suspicion of treason.
No. No, that cannot be.
You've made a mistake.
- My tyr's as loyal
to the king as you are.
- Here.
The thread that we found
at the boy's home
matches that used
to sabotage your saddle, sire.
Who put you up
to this, tyr?
No one. No one's put me
up to anything, sire.
Are you saying
you acted alone?
Had no help,
no accomplice?
I don't know anything about
these things you're
talking about.
I've done nothing, sire,
save look after your horse
and tack like I always do.
The evidence is
staring you in the face.
You can't deny it.
Sire, I swear
on my mother's life.
Just give me their name.
Why protect them?
They can't help you now.
Just give me their name.
I have no name.
There's no name to give.
Then you leave me no choice.
Though it saddens me
greatly to do so,
I must charge you
with treason.
Is there anything further
you'd like to say?
You're my king, sire.
I'd never do anything
to hurt you. Never.
Tyr seward,
by the power vested in me,
I hereby
sentence you to death.
How long have
you known tyr?
He's been in my service
since he was a boy.
Do you really think
him capable of this treason?
What I think is irrelevant.
The facts speak for themselves.
Arthur, to sentence him
to death...
The law is the law, Merlin,
whether I like it or not.
Why would tyr
want Arthur dead?
It makes no sense.
Perhaps he harbored
some grudge,
some festering resentment.
What grudge could he bear?
He loved his work.
He was deeply proud of it.
And Arthur respected him,
I know he did.
He always treated him
fairly and well.
- Merlin, it's not
always possible
to know what's
in the mind of another man.
Maybe so, but Arthur was
right about one thing...
Tyr could not
have done this alone.
Someone else is involved.
And... unless we find out
who they are,
what's to stop them
from trying it again?
Arthur.
I know you were fond of tyr,
but you had no choice.
He was guilty.
Tyr seward is
a simple man.
He can't have planned
this assassination himself.
Well, I know that's
what you'd like to think...
We all would.
But hard as it is
to accept,
even a great
and honorable king has
enemies within his walls,
very often the last person
that you would suspect.
Tyr is just such a person.
No, you're right.
I suppose experience should've
taught me that by now.
The important thing is
he didn't succeed.
I've already lost
my brother.
I couldn't bear
to lose you, too.
I'm here, Guinevere.
Always will be.
I'll never leave you.
I promise you that.
Thought you might
like some food...
Eating is not Gaius's
strong point, as you know.
Well, at least it's not
that turnip stew.
- Thank you, Merlin.
I'd like to help you,
tyr, if I can.
You heard the king.
No one can help me now.
I know you, tyr.
Whatever you did,
I don't believe
you meant any harm.
I didn't do anything.
On my honor, I didn't.
But something happened,
didn't it?
- No.
- Tyr, please.
I know you're not to blame.
Just tell me what happened.
- No, they'll...
- Who?
This was a few days back.
One of the horses
came down with colic,
so I had to
sleep in the stable
to watch over him.
Go on, it's all right.
That night
I was woke up
by a sound.
There was someone there,
going over the king's saddle.
I knew it wasn't right.
I tried to get away
and warn someone,
but they saw me.
They told me
if I so much as whispered
a word of what I'd seen,
they'd take my mother.
They'd take her
and they'd cut her throat.
Who was it?
- I can't.
- Tyr, please tell me.
This is the only chance
you have.
You'll be hanged
if you don't.
- And they'll kill
my mother if I do.
- Tyr.
I can help you.
No. If it means me dying
instead of her,
then so be it.
I'd rather die.
You went
to the cells to see tyr.
Yes.
We've been over this before.
We know what he said.
- The evidence doesn't lie.
- I don't deny his crime, sire,
but the only part
that tyr played is
to see it done.
- He told you this?
- Five minutes ago.
- And who was it?
- He wouldn't say.
He was too frightened.
They threatened him.
I must speak
with him at once.
Arthur, surely it can wait.
Gaius told you to rest,
let your injuries heal.
I'll be fine Guinevere.
I just want to hear
what he has to say.
And you shall,
but tyr's said all
he's willing to say for now.
He's clearly frightened
and unsure what to do.
Don't push him.
Let him think it over
and maybe after a night
in the cells,
he'll be prepared
to say more.
As always, Guinevere,
you're right.
Have you noticed anything
about Gwen of late?
Nothing unusual. Why?
I'm not sure, exactly.
Something she's said?
Something she's done?
No.
It's nothing
in particular.
It just seems to me
that ever since she returned
from the dark tower,
she hasn't been quite herself.
Well, is that so surprising?
She lost her only brother.
Elyan was
all the family she had.
And grief
changes people, Merlin.
I know they do, but...
Besides, we can
only guess at what
morgana put her through.
That's what worries me.
- Tyr.
- What are you doing here?
Nothing to worry about.
I just want to talk.
- I've said nothing.
- Shh. Come closer.
We don't want
to be heard, do we?
I've told no names.
I've not mentioned you
to anyone.
I believe you.
My mother's safe?
You've not harmed her?
Your mother is
alive and well.
She's not the problem.
You are.
- Me?
- You see, tyr, it's not
what you haven't said,
it's what you may yet say.
- Don't...
Understand?
The blade punctured
his heart.
He suffered very little,
I'm glad to say.
You've spoken
to the night patrols?
- They saw
nothing unusual, sire.
What about the guards?
- Why didn't
they raise the alarm?
- Sire, I found this
- in the grate
in the guard room.
- Clary wort,
a powerful soperific, sire.
I've been a fool.
I should've spoken to him
when I had the chance.
Arthur.
- What?
- Whoever did this is
no stranger to Camelot.
They knew
this citadel inside out.
- Guinevere.
- The plan failed.
Arthur lives.
- Does he suspect you?
- Not yet,
but the stable hand saw me.
- He was going to
tell them everything.
- Was?
You have
some good news then?
I did what had to be done.
With tyr gone, you have to find
someone else to take the fall.
When Arthur dies,
you have to be beyond
all suspicion.
You must have the support
of the knights.
Only with their
allegiance will your path
to the throne be clear.
But what good is all this?
- Arthur's still alive.
- For now.
But tonight you'll have
everything you need
to finish the job.
Arthur's doubled the guard.
There are patrols night and day.
- I can't risk it.
- Gwen, Gwen,
it is I
that will come to you.
Go!
Gwen!
I've been looking
for you everywhere.
Arthur's been beside
himself with worry.
Well, there was no need
to worry. I was just
walking in the Meadow.
Ah.
Since elyan died,
sometimes I just need
time to myself.
Well, I understand,
but you should be careful.
A patrol was attacked
in the woods only an hour ago.
Oh, I had no idea.
Thank you, Merlin.
I'll be more careful
next time.
No broken bones,
I'm glad to say.
- Anything else you remember?
- Nothing.
One minute
I was pursuing them
through the trees,
the next I was flat
on the ground.
- You're sure it's sorcery?
Without a doubt.
- Powerful, too.
- Morgana?
It's possible,
but why was she there?
Maybe she was
meeting someone.
Why would she come
so close to the citadel?
Maybe she had to.
Maybe whoever she was meeting
was here in Camelot.
Until we have more to go on,
this is idle speculation.
Gaius, Merlin, see what
you can find in the woods.
Perhaps there's something
we overlooked.
- I'll go with them
- you'll do no such thing.
- You rest, Gwaine.
Physician's orders.
I don't think
this is over.
What do you mean?
Well, whoever's
responsible for the attack
on Arthur's life...
- What's to stop them
from trying again?
They haven't a chance.
The citadel's on full alert.
Every entrance,
every exit's being watched.
Trust me...
Arthur's safe as long
as he remains in Camelot.
That's just it...
What if he's not safe here?
What if Camelot's
the most dangerous place
that he could be?
Who could have access
to the stables?
Who could've known
the way out to the cells?
Who knew that tyr
would do anything
to protect his mother?
You need to stay close
to Arthur and do whatever
you can to protect him.
You have my word
on it, Merlin.
Who are you?
No, it is not who I am...
What I want and whether
you can give it to me.
And what is it
that you want?
Tincture,
the power to kill.
Not just to kill,
but to do so slowly
and with the utmost pain.
Very particular,
what you seek.
It has
a very particular purpose.
Well?
Do you possess
such a thing?
I do.
- Here.
- What are they?
Valerian...
Two drops will render
the victim unconscious...
And henbane...
A single drop administered
through the ear,
their death will be
as prolonged
and as unpleasant
as could be wished for.
Ah. These are
uncommon things...
Hard to come by,
hard to prepare.
- Huh.
Very generous, my lady.
More than enough
to buy my wares,
not my silence.
Arthur, are you all right?
What if Merlin's right?
What if morgana
did attack the patrol?
- Morgana?
- She wants me dead.
What better way
of achieving that
than conspiring
with an ally within Camelot?
An ally who she couldn't risk
meeting within these walls?
- Who?
- Whoever killed tyr.
But that doesn't make sense.
If you were the target,
why kill tyr?
- To protect their identity.
- Perhaps.
Tyr's killer had
an intimate knowledge
of the palace.
Whoever they were,
they must be known to me
and they must be here
as we speak.
If what you say is true,
they must be found, quickly.
And if they're not,
they'll strike again.
I will not
let that happen.
I would lay down my life
to protect you.
You'll find them, Arthur,
you and I together.
Gaius.
Yes, it's certainly
not natural.
It's morgana.
I'm sure of it.
Are you sure we're
in the right place?
Gwaine said he spotted them
somewhere around here.
There,
on that branch.
It's not much
to go on, is it?
Raw imported silk.
Traders ask
a small fortune for it.
Whoever that belongs to
is extremely wealthy.
What is that,
some kind of embroidery?
Indeed. Woven threads
of silver and gold.
Only those
of the highest rank
can afford such a thing.
Merlin?
Where are you going now?
Merlin.
Would you care to explain
exactly what it is
that you're doing?
I was just checking
for holes.
Holes.
Yes, that's where
the hand goes.
Granted, but look.
Mmm. That I believe is
where the other hand goes.
Right.
The arms are the same.
You can't be too careful.
A lady's modesty is
at stake, after all.
Is it now?
Merlin, I would
strongly recommend
that you start showing
a little less interest
in Guinevere's clothing
and a little more interest
in mine.
I think I prefer Gwen's.
I'm going to do
everything in my power
to try and forget that
you ever just said that.
- I suggest you do the same.
Just a few drops will ease
your troubles, my dear.
Do you understand?
Yes.
Come.
Are you prepared?
Have you found someone
to take the fall?
Don't worry.
I have someone in mind.
Guinevere. I began
to wonder where you were.
Sorry, I had some business
to attend to in town.
I hope you have
an appetite.
Mmm. And first...
What took you into town?
Just delivering supplies
to those most in need.
Your kindness
never ceases to amaze me.
Keep your grubby hands
off my dumplings.
You know,
now that I think of it,
we never got
to have our little
celebration, did we?
Yes, when was that?
To us.
All the evidence suggests
that the king
has been poisoned.
Certain, Gaius?
Quite certain.
The sweating,
the corruption of the skin,
the traces of tincture
around the ear...
They all point
to the use of henbane.
Is there no hope?
The poison is
a deadly one, milady
there may be a way
to arrest its course,
but I cannot guarantee it.
One thing I know for certain...
Whoever did this lives among us.
Whoever did this
has betrayed us all.
Someone who is free to roam
the citadel as they please.
Someone who has access
to the king's stables,
the king's prison,
even the king's food.
There is
only one I know of.
Merlin.
How is Arthur?
There is no change.
I know how you must feel...
About Merlin.
You must believe me
when I say how sorry I am,
but the evidence
against him is overwhelming.
You did what you had
to do, Guinevere.
You had no choice.
- I understand that.
- Thank you.
Is there no hope, Gaius?
None at all?
I will not lie to you.
Arthur's time is
nearly upon him.
But until the king draws
his last breath,
there is always hope.
You were right, Merlin.
Whatever morgana did
in the dark tower,
she's taken control
over Gwen and used her
to get to Arthur.
- Can you save him?
- The poison's too strong,
- too virulent.
Your magic is his only hope.
You need to get me
out of here, somehow.
You promised you'd
never leave me, Arthur.
You promised.
He's our strength,
our heart.
How can I live
without him?
How can any of us
live without him?
Because we must.
My lady,
if Arthur is to die,
we will lose
more than that.
The kingdom will
lose its king.
While Arthur lives,
there is still a king
of Camelot.
But when the time comes,
and it...
It will surely come soon,
we need to be prepared.
If we do not
have a leader
and a guide,
Camelot and all the kingdom
will be vulnerable.
Everything Arthur worked
so hard to achieve
will be threatened.
But who could wear
his crown?
He's no family
to succeed him.
And who among us is
worthy of such a thing?
You are, my lady.
- Me?
- You are as close
to family as Arthur has.
No one can deny your wisdom,
your compassion
and your loyalty.
I am certain were Arthur
able to make this decision,
he would chose you.
I don't know what to say.
I realize that this is
a great responsibility,
but you will not be alone.
I guarantee you myself
and all the knights
will stand by you,
now and forever.
Thank you, Leon.
I am lucky indeed
to have such friends.
- Who are you?
- What kind of a damn fool
question is that?
I am who I am
and I am who I was
and I am who
I will always be.
That's no answer.
What other answer
is there?
It's the only answer
worth giving.
- What are you doing here?
- Incredible.
You follow
one idiot question
with another!
I'm visiting the cells,
as you perfectly well know.
No, you're not.
Not unless we say so,
you're not.
But you already said so.
Only 10 minutes ago
you said so.
You said so
and I did so!
- No, we didn't.
- What on earth is
wrong with you?
Something interesting
in your tea, is there?
It's hardly any wonder
your prisoners are
being murdered
if you can't even remember
who you're letting in
and who you're letting out!
You let me in!
And I thank you for that.
And now, apparently,
I have to let myself out!
Ah!
Goodbye!
- You! What are you
doing in my kitchen?!
- Nothing.
- "Nothing" means
"mischief" in my book.
Well, you've been reading
the wrong book.
- And "mischief" means "theft."
- No, it doesn't.
And theft means
my pies.
Your pies?
Why on earth would
anyone want to steal
your godforsaken pies?
My pies are
the talk of Camelot.
Oh. Yes, indeed they are...
A crust like rusted iron,
a filling like
last year's horse dung,
and the smell...
Oh yes, just like
the guard house's latrine!
No one insults my pies
and gets away with it!
Oh, I'm sorry.
Should I speak instead
of your poisonous flans,
like vomit, curdling
in the noonday sun?
Or your dumplings?
The king himself
likened them
to freshly lain frog spawn
wrapped in pig snot!
What would you know about
the king and my dumplings?
Oh, good grief.
Should've done that
years ago.
You there!
You! Halt!
There! This way!
He's gone.
We've lost him.
Inform the men
we have an intruder.
Put the citadel
on high alert.
That was no wind.
It was sorcery.
Light the braziers!
Search the courtyard!
- Are you all right?
Yes.
You haven't seen anything,
heard anything?
Nothing, why?
- Gwaine; There's an intruder
within our walls.
- Here in the citadel?
- Yes, milady.
We last saw them
in the main square before
we lost sight of them.
My lady,
you may be in danger.
Gwaine will take you
to the guest chambers.
He'll insure no harm
comes to you there.
Why would anyone
wish me harm?
You are to be
our leader, Gwen.
You are Camelot's future.
Do you imagine our enemies
don't want you dead?
I can't leave Arthur,
not now.
Gwen, I promise
if there's any change
I'll fetch you at once.
Gaius is right.
Come, milady.
You're not safe here.
- How on earth
did you get in here?
- Don't even ask.
How is he?
His heart is
nearly stopped.
I fear
he's close to death.
The sickness is
so deep in him.
I don't know
if I have the power
to bring him back.
You can do this, Merlin.
Gaius.
- Merlin.
Well done, Merlin.
Well done!
You'd better
get back to the cells
before you're missed.
But there are
guards on every floor,
every stairwell.
How am I gonna
get back down there?
Well, the same way
as you came up, obviously.
Obviously.
Morning, Merlin.
If you've got a moment,
the king would like a word.
Merlin. This is
one of the two,
possibly three,
moments in my life
where I've actually
been glad to see you.
That's my thoughts
exactly, sire.
- How are you feeling?
- Like death.
- Mmm.
- Well, death warmed up
at least.
- I can imagine.
- Mmm.
Well, it seems like
we've both been through
something of an ordeal.
Well, it wasn't
so bad, really,
once you get used
to the eternal night,
the rats,
the moldy pillars and living
with a bucket of your own...
- Merlin.
I'm sorry
about what happened
to you, truly.
As soon as I heard,
I told them it couldn't have
been you who poisoned me.
Had the cook,
confirm your alibi.
Thank you.
I also told them you simply
weren't bright enough
to organize
an assassination attempt.
- That's very thoughtful.
- You're welcome.
- Arthur, um...
- There is something that
I need to talk to you about.
- Sorry, Merlin,
another time.
They're waiting for me
in the council chambers.
Thanks to Guinevere,
some new evidence has
come to light.
The queen found
these vials in my chambers.
They bear, as you can see,
a distinctive Mark.
Thanks to her
tireless efforts,
she's been able
to trace them.
This is your Mark,
is it not?
It is my Mark, yes.
What does
this vial contain?
- Valerian, sire.
- What does it do?
It renders
the subject unconscious.
- This one?
- Henbane.
It's poison, my lord.
A lethal poison.
And it is only thanks
to the great skill
of my physician
- that I am still alive.
- I am sorry, my lord.
I supplied it, I confess,
but I did not know that
it was intended for you.
In truth, I was...
I was too afraid to ask.
To afraid to ask who?
She who procured it.
And did you recognize
this woman?
Well, I cannot say
for certain,
but I believed it
to be morgana pendragon.
Because of
the queen's diligence,
the truth has
been uncovered.
Each and every one of us
owes her a great debt.
Long live the queen.
Long live
the queen.
Long live the queen.
Long live
the queen.
Long live the queen.
Long live
the queen.
Long live the queen.
You're not happy
with your husband?
I'd be happy
if he died tomorrow.