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.
There's a chill
in the air tonight.
What?
You say that
every night.
Do I now?
Only for
the last 30 years.
Stop your fussing
and come to bed.
John.
Don't go outside.
I'm begging you.
It's my duty.
I'm the elder
of this village.
John, please...
Lock the door behind me.
Let no one in.
No one. Do you hear?
[Door Creaking,
Thudding]
Aldrif?
Hello?
Is there anybody there?
Gwen?
Mary.
I was told I might
find you here.
Mary.
What a wonderful surprise.
I hope I'm not
interrupting anything.
No, no, not at all.
What brings you to Camelot?
I don't want
to trouble you, Gwen.
John and I...
I know we haven't
seen you for many years,
but there was no else
we could turn to.
What is it?
We're just...
We're just so scared.
Oh, Mary.
Guinevere informs me
that you live in Longstead,
in the Feorre Mountains.
Is that right?
That's right, sire.
Our village...
We're blighted by a sickness.
Three good men
it has taken now.
We have no physician, sire.
It is beyond
our understanding.
I see.
Forgive me.
I have no right to bring
such a small matter
before the king.
You have every right.
It is my responsibility
to protect the people
of this kingdom,
whoever they may be.
You'll help us?
I'll do whatever I can.
Thank you.
This is the fourth
case of sweating sickness
I've seen today.
In normal circumstances,
I'd be happy to travel to this
village to investigate, but...
Of course.
I understand.
Might I make
a suggestion, sire?
Why not send Merlin
in my place?
Merlin?
He has a knowledge
of the healing arts.
If the diagnosis is
straightforward, he can
prescribe a remedy, I'm sure.
- And what if it isn't?
- Then he can bring
his findings to me.
Findings?
Merlin can't find his own
backside most of the time.
I think he's capable
of much more
than you imagine, sire.
You really think
he'll be able to handle
the responsibility?
Yes, sire, I do.
Do you really think
I can do this, Gaius?
I know you can.
I'm not a physician.
I don't have anything
like the knowledge you do.
You've been working for me
for many years, Merlin.
I suspect you know more
than you think you do.
I just do what you tell me
to do. I don't have to make
the decisions myself.
These people will be putting
their lives in my hands.
I put my life
in your hands
every day, Merlin.
As does Arthur and Gwen
and all of Camelot,
though they may not know it.
You're the one who holds
the fate of this kingdom
in the balance.
But that's different.
That doesn't require
a lifetime of learning,
just...
Intelligence, courage,
compassion.
All I know is...
I have every faith in you.
Merlin.
Before you go,
you'll need this.
Oh, I can't take that, Gaius.
That's your medicine bag.
Don't worry.
I've got plenty
of spare supplies.
Thanks, Gaius.
Are you ready?
As I'll ever be.
My village
lies at the foot
of those mountains.
With luck, we should
be there by nightfall.
John.
It's good to see you.
We came as quickly
as we could.
Words cannot express
our gratitude, Gwen.
Where's Gaius?
I'm sorry.
He was needed in Camelot,
but I will help
in any way that I can.
We're living in fear
for our lives.
We need
a skilled physician,
not a boy.
His name is Merlin.
He was appointed
acting physician
by King Arthur himself.
Where are they?
They're alive,
but only just.
How long have they
been like this?
Two or three days.
We've tried to feed them,
keep them warm, but nothing
seems to make any difference.
And you've no idea
what happened to them?
No.
It just strikes suddenly,
without warning.
Well, we need
to stimulate blood flow.
A poultice of patchouli oil
should work,
and a tincture of belladonna
to stimulate the heart.
Will it cure them?
Will it...bring them back?
Let's see
what the morning brings.
Right now we need hot water
and plenty of blankets.
[Speaking
Ancient Language]
Gwaine!
Sorry.
Call of nature.
I could have killed you!
With a fishing rod?
"Sir Gwaine was slain
with a fishing rod."
That's the stuff
of legends, eh?
Whoa-ho!
I barely feel a pulse.
How are they?
I'm afraid the treatments
have had no effect.
You mean they're dying.
I'm sorry.
There's something at work here
that I don't understand.
Are you suggesting
sorcery?
That's possible, yes.
I feared
as much.
The other night,
when I found Aldrif,
I felt a...a presence,
an evil in the air.
We need to get back
to Gaius.
Only he can explain this.
Whoa.
Dismount
and muzzle your horses.
Not a sound, any of you.
Bandits?
- Looks like it.
- We'll skirt their camp.
- With any luck, we'll reach
the plain unnoticed.
Over there.
Over here.
Looks like we were too late.
No, she's...
Hey! Hey! Hey!
It's all right.
We're knights of Camelot.
You're safe now.
You're safe.
Here.
My name's Gwen.
What's yours?
Lamia.
My name is Lamia.
What happened
to you, Lamia?
I was traveling home
when the bandits took me.
Your hands...
Did they do this to you?
Let me clean them...
No! No!
Are you strong enough
to ride?
Then let's get out of here
before they return.
We'll be safe here
till the morning.
- Here.
Hey! Get away from her,
Merlin!
And stay away.
Merlin, he didn't mean it.
They're just tired.
That's all.
Shh, shh, shh.
Don't worry.
No harm can come to you now.
Sorry.
Would you like
some water?
It's been two days.
They should be back by now.
There must be some delay
at Longstead, sire.
If there was a delay,
they would have sent word.
Then it must be the bridge
is down at Brechfa River.
No. I already checked.
A patrol passed through
there yesterday.
Well, should I send
some scouts out
to search for them?
Gaius,
is your work done here?
Yes, sire. I'm satisfied
the sweating sickness
has all but passed.
Then we leave for Longstead
at first light.
Would you like...
I'll just put it here.
She still won't eat.
No appetite at all.
Poor girl.
Pack your bags.
We ride east
with the rising sun.
Wait. East?
Camelot lies west of here.
Lamia has asked
that we take her home.
- No, we need to get Gaius.
- Gaius can wait.
We were sent to help
the people of Longstead.
Their lives depend on us.
You dare to question
our judgment?
You are not a knight.
You're not even a physician.
You're nothing but a servant.
Please! Listen. Merlin's right.
We have to get back...
Stay out of this, Gwen.
It's none of your business.
Is anything wrong,
sire?
Listen.
No birdsong.
Nothing.
Sire!
Does anything strike you
as odd about these bodies?
Yes, sire.
There's not a mark on them.
- Not so much as a scratch.
- Over here, my lord!
Southron slave traders
by the looks of it.
What were they transporting...
some kind of an animal?
No. These marks
were made by humans.
And whoever they were, they
did anything they had to
to get out.
Can he be treated?
I...I could try, sire.
But I'll need time
and somewhere to work.
He comes with us.
We'll make Longstead
in a matter of hours.
Why don't you watch
what you're doing?
Why don't you watch
your damn tongue?
You'd do well
to learn some manners.
Nothing I can learn
from you, Leon.
We'll see about that.
Enough!
What's got into you?
Great!
- Take him.
- I'll get the medicine bag.
Come on.
Spread out
and speak to everyone.
Someone must know something.
Did you speak
to the village elder?
It seems they left
yesterday morning.
Where were they headed?
Camelot, my lord.
Something
must have happened.
We can't go after them tonight.
Then we ride at dawn.
See that the men are prepared.
Yes, sire.
And they've been
like this for four days?
And each day,
they grow weaker.
Merlin is right.
This is no ordinary illness.
There is sorcery
at work here.
That needle's
the size of a spear.
Well, I'm sorry.
It's all I have.
Wait. Done.
Thank you.
Leon and Gwaine...
I've never known them
to act like this.
Elyan's the same.
I hardly recognize him.
I think it's something
to do with her.
Lamia?
The knights
are like brothers,
yet they fight
and quarrel like foes.
It started
the moment we found her.
But look at her.
She's just a girl.
How could she affect them
this way?
Mm.
I don't know.
Any luck
with the Southron?
I've done my best, sire.
His condition is perilous,
but he lives.
Was he able
to tell us anything?
He is a slave trader,
as you suspected.
They were traveling south
with a girl.
Did he say
what happened to them?
He claims they fell under
some kind of spell.
Quarrels and fights
broke out among them.
They began to suspect the girl
of bewitching them.
It seems they were right.
Why? What happened?
The girl escaped
and killed them all but him.
How is that possible?
She's just one girl.
Not a girl, sire.
A lamia.
A lamia?
A creature of magic.
In their wars
with the ancient kings,
the high priestesses
of the old religion...
took the blood from a girl
and mingled it with that
of a serpent.
The creatures they created
had ferocious powers.
They could control
the mind of a man,
suck the life from him
with a single embrace.
Which is why
none of the traders
had a mark on them.
But the lamia proved more deadly
than their makers
had ever imagined.
They could transform at will
and become hideous monsters.
And they kept on
killing, sire.
They would not stop.
So this girl...
this creature...is still
out there somewhere.
I'm afraid so, sire.
Forgive me.
I didn't mean
to frighten you.
I couldn't sleep.
Nor could I.
Then again,
it is my job to stay awake.
Don't be afraid.
I won't hurt you.
Mm.
Elyan?
He was supposed
to be on guard.
He should have woken us
long before now.
Elyan!
Gwen, stay with Lamia!
The rest of you,
come with me.
Spread out!
Elyan!
Don't worry.
They'll find your brother
soon enough.
Elyan! Elyan!
Six horses.
Riding east.
The tracks are no more
than a day old.
Oh, God! Elyan!
Oh! What happened
to him?
I don't know.
We found him like this.
Merlin!
She did this.
I know she did.
We need to get him
back to Camelot now.
I know this area.
There's a castle
not far from here.
We could take shelter there.
You could tend
to your friend.
Then lead the way.
We don't need shelter,
thank you. We need Gaius.
He's right.
Silence!
Both of you!
You have no say
in these matters!
You come with us
or you stay here.
It's up to you.
Let's go.
We could try
reasoning with them,
tell them
Lamia's responsible
for what's happening.
They won't listen to reason.
You've seen how they are.
It's like they're under
an enchantment.
We have to do something.
Arthur's our only hope now.
We've been gone too long.
He must know something's wrong.
He'll never find us now.
We're in the middle
of nowhere.
We need to give him
some help.
The tracks stop here.
We could be wasting
our time, sire.
For all we know,
they could have gone
back to Camelot already.
No. Camelot lies west of here.
Tracks are heading east.
Fan out.
See what you can find.
This way.
This is madness,
Percival.
Elyan needs help.
You know nothing
about this girl.
You've no idea
where she's taking you.
You heard Sir Leon.
We have no interest
in your opinion.
So keep your mouth shut,
or I'll shut it for you.
Is everyone all right?
Where's Lamia?
Lamia!
What is this place?
Whatever it is,
it isn't safe.
We need to find Lamia.
She could be in danger.
We're the ones in danger, Leon!
She's brought us here to...
- She's led us to a trap.
- That's a lie!
- She's poisoned your minds,
and you can't see it.
- Enough!
It was Lamia
that attacked Elyan!
I said enough!
Please!
My brother's hurt.
We need to find him
somewhere warm.
Over here.
I'll make us a fire.
Percival and I
will search for Lamia.
You will stay here, and you
will do as Gwaine says.
Do I make myself clear?
It's impossible.
They can't have
just disappeared.
It could be
that we're following
the wrong tracks, my lord.
Any number of people
pass through these woods.
It was them.
I know it was.
Maybe we should
go back to Longstead,
try again in the morning.
By morning,
they could all be dead.
They're knights of Camelot,
my lord.
- They're more than capable
of looking after themselves.
- Maybe so.
But you're forgetting
something, Uncle.
Guinevere is with them.
- I realize that, sire.
- We keep going.
All night if necessary.
We need more wood.
I'll go and get some.
No.
You stay where you are.
I'll get it myself.
You're not going anywhere.
Gwaine, please. Listen to me.
It's not safe for you out there.
Are you trying
to tell me my business?
No. I'm just saying...
What?
Nothing.
If he doesn't
get some help soon,
he's not going to make it.
That was her.
I'm sure of it.
Lamia?
It's nothing.
I don't understand it.
Why have only the knights
been enchanted?
Why not us as well?
You're a woman.
So?
All her victims have been men.
So why haven't you
fallen under her spell?
I've just been lucky,
I suppose.
There must be a reason.
Maybe it's because
I'm not a knight.
The three villagers
weren't knights either.
Who knows?
There's something
about you, Merlin.
It's the way
she looks at you...
as if you were the enemy.
Whatever you do,
don't leave this room.
Gwaine.
Agravaine!
Huh?
It's Guinevere's.
How can you be certain?
It's from her tunic.
I'd know it anywhere.
We must be close.
Come on.
- Lamia.
Are you all right?
We've been looking
everywhere for you.
I thought you might
never find me.
Thank you, Percival.
Thank you.
No!
No.
No! No!
You won't find me
such easy prey.
Your magic holds
no fear for me.
I could have killed you
anytime I wished.
Then...what are you
waiting for?
Merlin.
Get away from him!
Arthur!
You carry on.
Don't worry about me.
Sorry.
It's almost good
to see you, Merlin.
Likewise.
Almost.
How are they doing?
I have given them
the same compound that
cured the villagers, sire.
They're fortunate
that you got to them
when you did.
Thank you, Gaius.
So, Merlin.
Being saved by a woman...
that really can't feel good.
Feels a lot better
than being dead.
Does it? Being saved
by a woman...or dying?
I'd have to think
about that one.
Well, don't think too hard.
I wouldn't want you
to hurt yourself.
Come.
You wanted to see me?
Just wanted to make sure
you were all right.
Been through a lot
these past few days.
I'm fine.
Nothing a change of clothes
couldn't cure.
I thought I knew everything
about you, Guinevere.
Your loyalty, your wisdom.
Since when did you become
this fearless hero?
Well, maybe you just
didn't notice before.
Mm, maybe I didn't.
Truly.
You showed great courage
back there.
I did what anyone else
would have done.
You did a good deal
more than that.
You were equal
to any knight of Camelot.
I'm proud of you.
Really?
Really.
Merlin.
Guinevere, will you do me
the honor of becoming my wife?
I want to believe
that everything is fine,
that we really
have Lancelot back.
We can't thank you enough
for what you sacrificed
on the Isle of the Blessed.
Do you think he means
to harm Arthur?