[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.
Uncle.
It's late, Arthur.
What's troubling you?
Nothing. Nothing at all.
But I've made a decision,
and I felt it only right
to inform you right away.
Though I fear
you're not gonna like
what I have to say.
I'm going to marry
Guinevere.
- [Sword Clatters]
- [Tray Rattles]
Sorry.
That is, if she says yes.
Sire...
No.
I know what you're gonna say.
She's a servant, I'm the king.
It's not the done thing.
I fear it's a little
more serious than that.
Guinevere has proved herself
a valuable support...
and shrewd counselor
these past few months.
You don't need a woman
for support, sire.
I'm your counsel.
I fear you have rather
too much stubble to be my wife.
[Laughs]
[Coughs]
Good counsel,
solid support...
they're exactly what I need.
I don't want a queen
who spends her days
floating around the castle,
agreeing with my every word.
And the people
don't want that either.
So I've made up my mind.
I want Guinevere
to be my queen,
and I want you
to accept her as such.
Mmm.
My lady.
[Knife Rings]
You better have a good reason
for scaring me like that.
I'm afraid I do.
Arthur is to make
Guinevere his queen.
It's just like
in my dream.
I will not see that woman
upon my throne!
I don't see
how we can stop her.
There is one that can ruin
King Arthur's plans,
one that can
come between them.
We all have our secrets,
and, unfortunately
for Guinevere, I know hers.
I know exactly
how to destroy her.
[Rustling]
I come in peace.
[Gasps]
[Sniffing]
Ah. Morgana Pendragon.
You are destined
to bring back the old ways.
I hope to live
to see that day.
You are one of the few people
who remember the time
of the old religion.
I need your help.
It was a gift
from my sister.
[Gasps]
A most interesting present.
Ah.
The price of a soul.
But you do not know
how to release it.
I should like
to keep it.
[Sighs]
[Gasping]
The gift is indeed
a powerful one,
but there is only one way
to wield that power.
You must travel
to the last of
the five gateways...
that separate
our world...
from the world
of the dead.
Find the Pool of Nemhain,
whose waters are
as black as night...
and as still
as death itself.
Cast the coin
into its depths...
and your wish
will be granted.
My name is Lancelot,
my lady.
I'm yours to command.
You must be tired.
You've been on a journey
few have ever dreamed of.
I know not where
I have been, my lady.
Only that I am yours.
Slow down.
You won't be needing that.
Well, not yet.
We have work to do, but it's
not your sword I require...
so much as your heart.
There is a woman,
a serving girl.
A lowly peasant
called Guinevere.
Or Gwen, as she's known
to her friends.
There are many
that have tried to win
the hand of King Arthur,
but it was Gwen
who won his heart.
She is honest
and straightforward,
a simple soul.
Arthur trusts her entirely,
as he does you.
For you are Lancelot...
the noble, the brave,
the honorable.
You're everything
the knights' code
stands for.
Before she was Arthur's,
she was yours, Lancelot.
You were her first love.
And you will be
her last.
Guinevere,
will you do me the honor
of becoming my wife?
[Sniffles]
Is that a yes?
Oh, sorry. Yes.
Yes. Yes.
[Door Opens]
How is it with
our old adversary?
He's learning fast.
Soon he will know enough
to convince everyone he's
the Lancelot we all knew.
I thought
it would please me...
molding his mind.
Instead,
I feel curiously sad.
He was once
so mighty.
Now he's nothing
but a shade.
I shall be sorry
to see him go.
[Crowd Cheering]
I've got to hand it to you.
If nothing else, it's certainly
an original engagement present.
Well, as romantic gestures go,
you could have
given her flowers.
Could have had
a song written.
Instead, you've given her
two days of sweaty men knocking
the sense out of each other.
[Crowd Cheering]
Exactly as it should be.
My father had a tourney
before his wedding.
It's tradition.
Ah, so it's not even
an original gesture then.
I think my future wife
understands.
Thank you very much.
♪♪ [Horns: Fanfare]
[Crowd Cheering]
[Horse Snorts]
Who on earth is that?
I have no idea.
[Cheering]
I fear I remember very little
after the moment I stepped
through the veil.
My story will not be
as illuminating
as I would like.
We're just pleased
to see you.
Well, pleased and amazed.
I owe everything
to the Madhavi people.
When they found me,
I was near death.
Luckily for me,
their customs dictate...
that they must give food
and shelter to the needy.
[Chuckles]
And I was certainly that.
[Leon]
Where did they find you?
On one of the Silk Road passes
high in the Feorre Mountains.
Cenred's kingdom.
I traveled with them
for many weeks, deep into
the deserts of the south.
Then slowly,
my strengths returned.
When I was able,
I earned my passage
the only way I know how...
- by the sword.
- [Chuckles]
Then I slowly
made my way north.
You made your way home.
We can't thank you enough
for what you sacrificed...
on the Isle
of the Blessed.
It will be remembered always.
[Sighs]
It is indeed good
to see you once again.
I would like
to propose a toast...
to the people
I hold most dear.
To Camelot.
- [All] To Camelot.
- To Camelot.
You can have my bed.
No. No.
Really, after all
you've been through,
it's the least I can do.
Thank you, Merlin.
It's good to see you too.
I've spent so long
thinking about...
what happened...
could I have saved you...
and if there was anything
I could have done,
if I could have
used magic.
If any of us
had any magic, Merlin,
then life would be
a lot easier.
Good night.
[Door Closes]
Oh, no.
I've seen
that face before.
I want to believe
that everything is fine...
and that we really
have Lancelot back.
It certainly
looks like him.
Yeah.
What is it?
I don't know.
Something's wrong.
When he was telling his story,
I sensed it.
The way he greeted me,
that made me suspicious.
But what happened just now,
that's made me sure.
He forgot I had magic.
Lancelot would never do that.
Mmm. Strange indeed.
Give him time.
[Horse Blusters]
I'm keen
to hear your news.
I'm sure you'll be
very proud, my lady.
Arthur and his knights
were completely taken in.
And Gwen? This must be
the last thing she hoped for
on the eve of her wedding.
If she was flustered,
she certainly didn't show it.
I fear she truly
does love Arthur.
Any feelings
she had for Lancelot
are in the past.
I had considered
that eventuality.
[Speaking
Ancient Language]
I think it's time
to reawaken those feelings.
[Knocking]
I wasn't sure
I'd find you here.
I thought you might
have rooms in the palace.
I want to stay here
as long as I can.
It may not be much,
but it's my home.
May I come in?
I only want
to wish you well.
[Sighs]
I never thought
I'd see you again.
I know.
When I heard what you'd done,
I felt so guilty.
No.
You were protecting Arthur,
just as I'd asked.
If it weren't for you,
there'd be no wedding.
There are no words
to thank you enough.
There is no need for that.
I did what I felt was right
in my heart.
You taught me that,
Gwen...
to be true to myself.
You will make
a wonderful queen.
Your love for your people
is surpassed only by
your love for Arthur.
The Madhavi people
gave me this token
of good fortune...
for my journey.
I would like you to wear it,
for I see their goodness
in you.
It is a rare thing,
and I was lucky to have
been touched by it.
[Kisses]
I wish you and Arthur
everlasting happiness, Gwen.
[Door Closes]
[Cheering]
[Horse Whinnying]
[Crowd Applauding,
Cheering]
Mmm.
The chicken is good.
Mmm. Nice broth.
What do you know
about necromancy?
What?
Well, you know lots
about lots of things,
don't you?
Necromancy is the most dangerous
of all magical practices.
Even in the days
of the old religion,
such sorcery was viewed
with the utmost suspicion.
I know I'm going to regret
asking this, Merlin,
but why do you want to know?
I think that someone
has raised Lancelot
from the dead.
By "someone,"
I presume you mean Morgana?
Yeah.
The old legends
do speak of such creatures.
They call them shades.
Poor, tormented souls
summoned from their rest...
by the necromancer's art.
So, it is possible?
Even if it is possible,
we have no way of
knowing for sure.
Or do we?
[Speaking Ancient Language]
[Door Opens]
[Whispering]
It's time.
[Shrieking]
[Lock Turns]
[Sighs]
I didn't want it
to be true.
I know. We all
wanted him back.
Yeah.
More than anything.
This man's a shadow
of his former self,
a shadow
with ill intent.
Do you think he means
to harm Arthur?
Whatever his reason
for being here,
it can't be good.
[Crowd Cheering]
Here.
Let me.
Thank you.
I just wanted
to wish you well.
Shouldn't you be saying that
to your future husband?
I do.
I have.
I will.
I'm sorry.
I don't know
why I'm here.
[Crowd Cheering]
[Whinnying]
[Cheering]
[Loud Cheering, Applauding]
[Gasping]
[Cheering]
Don't look so worried, Merlin.
Arthur won.
Yeah.
Now he's in the final
with Lancelot.
Yeah, I know.
People are gonna
love that.
[Crowd Cheering,
Applauding]
You must be ready, Merlin.
Your magic might be needed.
[Whinnies]
[Crowd Cheering]
[Horse Whinnies]
[Panting]
Arthur should withdraw.
He's in no fit state
to continue.
He wouldn't withdraw
if his head was hanging
by a thread.
[Cheering]
What's going on?
Why did he yield?
[Applauding, Cheering]
I suppose
I should be pleased.
Arthur's alive.
My liege.
Arise, Sir Lancelot.
That's not necessary.
I always thought you were
the noblest of my knights.
You just proved me right.
Thank you
for your courtesy.
It won't be forgotten.
Your Highness.
If he's not here
to kill Arthur,
what's he here for?
I don't know.
I wish I did.
[Footsteps]
Everything is prepared.
Gwen is on her way
to our assignation
as we speak.
You've done well.
The Lady Morgana will be
very pleased with you.
[Groans, Exhales]
[Sword Unsheathes]
Arthur.
I'm sorry. There's
something you must see.
[Sword Unsheathes]
[Sighs]
Are you sure
this is safe?
No one visits
the council chambers
at this hour of the night.
[Groans]
Ow.
[Shouting]
Please!
[Whispers In
Ancient Language]
[Shouts]
Stop it! Please.
Please. Stop, please.
Please, this has to stop.
Please!
Please. Stop.
This has to stop, please.
[Crying]
[Whimpers]
[Agravaine]
Far be it for me to advise you
on personal matters, sire,
but this is also
a matter of state.
You've been made a fool of,
and you must respond robustly.
Of course,
in the days of your father,
adultery in noble families
was punishable by death.
And as for Lancelot,
death's too good for him.
He must die but...
painfully.
[Arthur]
You will leave, please.
All of you.
Now.
You too, Uncle.
- Sire...
- Now.
[Exhales]
What are you still
doing on your knees?
Am I just your king?
Get up,
for goodness' sake.
I was to be
your husband.
What happened, Guinevere?
We were happy.
I know we were happy.
You felt it too?
But you love him?
You've always loved him?
No.
All those times you said
you wanted to be with me.
I meant every word.
Tomorrow was our wedding day.
I know.
If you had worries...
I wasn't worried.
If you had doubts...
I didn't have
any doubts.
Then forgive me, because
I must be really stupid!
What were you doing?
[Whimpers]
[Crying]
Sorry.
No. No.
No, it is I
who should be sorry.
You mean everything
to me, Arthur.
Once, there was Lancelot...
a long time ago.
But I haven't considered him
in that way for many years.
[Sniffles]
I thought he was dead.
I thought I would never
see him again.
And then when I did,
I was overwhelmed.
I was drawn to him.
I couldn't stop myself.
I don't know why!
I love you!
You mean everything to me.
All these years,
I've waited for you.
You only had to wait
one more day.
[Exhales]
All I've ever wanted
is to be your queen.
I still want
to be your queen.
Do you know
what they're saying?
That in my father's day,
you'd be put to death.
[Exhales]
I don't want
to see you dead, Guinevere,
but I don't want
to see you.
I cannot look on you
every day.
- You will leave Camelot
at first light.
- Arthur...
You return
upon pain of death.
[Sniffles]
No. No. No. No!
I cannot be without you!
That is my decision.
Where will I go?
I am sorry.
I am truly sorry.
[Door Closes]
This is what Morgana
wanted all along.
She couldn't suffer
the ignominy of seeing
Gwen on her throne.
It is indeed
a cruel revenge.
But it is Morgana
who created it.
I must make Arthur see that.
If he knew that Lancelot
was a shade...
It wouldn't change
what Gwen has done.
It's her betrayal
that matters to the king,
Merlin.
Telling him of
Lancelot's true nature
won't change that.
It's Gwen
who must pay the price.
This is from
our Lady Morgana.
She has one
last wish for you.
Whatever my lady desires.
I'm hers to command.
It's not too late, sire.
I know what Gwen did
was desperately wrong,
but she is a good person.
I truly believe that.
As do I, Merlin.
As do I.
Can you find it
in your heart
to forgive her?
That's not the problem.
Agravaine?
Well, it is Agravaine,
isn't it?
He's wrong. The people won't
find you weak or a fool.
They will find you merciful,
understanding.
You're brave
to speak out, Merlin.
Gwen's your friend.
I understand.
I'm afraid you're wrong.
I love Gwen
with all my heart.
I'm sure, in time,
I'll find a way
to forgive her,
but I'll never
trust her.
I can't live like that...
not as a king and
certainly not as a husband.
And though it pains me,
it's best that she's gone.
[Agravaine]
Sire.
The guards found him.
What happened?
It appears
he took his own life.
[Arthur]
I guess we shouldn't
be surprised.
In all ways but one,
Lancelot was
a man of honor.
See to it that he receives
a proper burial.
[Speaking
Ancient Language]
[Inhales]
Merlin.
Thank you.
[Exhales]
Merlin.
You were right
to be wary.
The druids build shrines
to bring rest
to tormented souls.
- [Screeching]
- No! No!
What the hell
do you think you're doing?
Elyan may have disturbed
the spirit at the shrine.
[Merlin]
Arthur!