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.
All right.
Who drank all my water?
- I believe you
have your answer.
You said I could have some.
I said you could have some.
I didn't say you could
drink every last drop.
- I was thirsty.
- Here. Have some of mine.
That's very funny.
Here.
Unlike these ignorant fools,
I share with my friends.
Maybe I'll drink
all of yours.
[Chattering,
Laughing]
Shh!
What is it?
I saw something
in the trees.
There.
What is this place?
This is a shrine.
In the time of the old religion,
they built shrines like this
to appease restless spirits.
- We shouldn't be here.
Boo!
It isn't funny.
Gaius told me
about places like this,
and they're cursed.
There's your spirit,
Merlin.
There's nothing here for us.
Move out.
You all right?
What do you mean?
You're very quiet.
You didn't say a word
on the way home.
It's called thinking, Merlin.
You should try it sometime.
Merlin.
What's that?
Salt. Pour it in a circle
at the foot of your bed.
Helps to protect you
from evil spirits.
Really? Does that work?
Absolutely.
And if it doesn't,
Gaius can always
put it in his supper.
Very funny.
I'm surprised
that such a shrine
exists so close to Camelot.
And it was cursed.
I could feel it.
You were right to be wary.
The druids built shrines
to bring rest
to tormented souls...
souls that were so badly wronged
they could find no peace
in the other world.
Why do they hang
all the ribbons and flags?
The ancient rituals
heal the ground...
so that the souls
of the victims can find rest.
But the magic that binds
the earth is delicate
and is easily undone,
so the ribbons and flags
act as a warning.
Wish I'd known that
earlier.
Did anyone touch anything?
No. I don't think so.
Why? What is it?
Anyone who disturbs
the resting place...
risks releasing the spirit.
Merlin, you must promise me
you'll never return
to that place.
Don't worry.
I have no intention
of going back there.
And for once,
I'm not lying to you.
Hello?
Who's there?
Show yourself.
Get away from me.
No!
What are you doing?
Nothing.
I...I was getting
a drink of water.
I tripped over the table.
Uh-huh.
We missed you
at the tavern earlier.
Percival broke
Sir Brennis's wrist
in an arm-wrestle.
Sounds like fun.
Not for Sir Brennis.
Get some rest.
Arthur's planned
a training session
in the morning.
You know how the king
likes his training.
Good night.
[Objects Clattering
On Floor]
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to scare you.
You didn't scare me.
I was asleep.
Why have you got
that stupid smile
on your face?
It's nothing.
Why were you sleeping
with your head on the table?
- I fell asleep
while I was reading.
- What were you reading?
I am the king of Camelot.
I do not have to answer
to the likes of you.
Oh, you're in a good mood.
You obviously got out
of the wrong side of the table.
The wrong side of the bed,
but you slept on the table, so...
That's extremely clever
and funny, Merlin.
There really are
no limits to your wit.
Now, will you please just
get me some breakfast.
Right.
Merlin!
Pair off.
Concentrate
on counter-cutting.
Gwaine, you're with me.
What's that in your hair?
It's stew.
Why have you got stew
in your hair?
Because he was reading.
Change of plan.
I think we'll try
something different.
Elyan.
Elyan. I think
he's had enough.
Are you all right
down there, Merlin?
- Good.
Well, Merlin will feel that
in his arms tomorrow.
All this training.
When are we going
to see some real action?
Yeah.
No! No, no.
You all right?
Leave me alone!
Watch yourself.
Elyan.
Elyan. Elyan!
- Why doesn't he speak?
- I don't know.
It's strange.
It's like
he's lost his mind.
When I want your
medical opinion, Gwaine,
I'll ask for it.
Perhaps you would
leave me alone
to treat my patient.
It would be better
if Arthur didn't
know of this.
Why do you want
to keep it from Arthur?
Elyan hasn't been
himself recently.
He hasn't said anything,
but he's clearly upset about
his sister's banishment.
Yes, it must have
been hard for him
to see that happen to Gwen.
We wouldn't want Arthur
to think that Elyan's
loyalties are divided.
Well, I'm sure the king
doesn't have to know...
about every accident
that happens in Camelot.
Thank you, Gaius.
Thank you.
Elyan,
can you hear me?
Blink if you can hear me.
Would you like me
to make up the bed, sire,
or will you be sleeping
on the table again?
Is this about Gwen?
We all miss her.
You more than anyone.
You can go now.
Arthur...
Get out.
I'm done trying
to be nice to Arthur.
I cook. I clean.
I'm always there for him,
not to mention that small matter
of saving his life more times
than I care to remember.
Do I get any thanks? No.
All he ever does
is shout at me.
Now you're ignoring me. Great.
I might as well not even exist.
Hello. My name's Merlin.
But don't worry about me.
I'm not even here.
I fear we may have
more important things
to worry about...
than Arthur
shouting at you.
What is it?
Did Elyan disturb anything
yesterday at the shrine?
I'm not sure.
I need you
to be sure, Merlin.
I don't know.
He may have done.
I tried to warn them.
You know what they're like.
They don't listen.
I'm sorry, Merlin.
It's just that I'm deeply
concerned for Elyan.
He hasn't spoken a word
since he regained consciousness,
and I can find no physical
symptoms to explain it.
The only thing I could find
was a pile of salt
at the foot of his bed.
Oh, no.
What is it, Merlin?
He's trying to ward off
an evil spirit.
With a pile of salt?
That's utter nonsense.
Elyan believes it
to be true.
Then I fear that Elyan
may have disturbed
the spirit at the shrine.
What? What will
that do to him?
I dread to think what horror
it might unleash.
You must tell Arthur
what happened at the shrine.
You must tell him
that Elyan is possessed.
Well, I'm not sure
he'll believe me.
Not in the mood he's in.
You must make him believe you.
Leave me alone!
Please don't
be angry with me.
I'm sorry.
It's all right.
Don't be scared.
You're so cold.
It's all right.
What do you want
from me?
I want you
to bring me peace.
You must right the wrong
that was done to me.
How?
What should I do?
It's easy.
You must kill the king.
Elyan,
you startled me.
Is everything all right?
What the hell do you
think you're doing?
Guards!
I know Elyan is a friend
to some of you,
but that friendship ended
when he tried
to kill the king.
Do not let him escape.
Now go find him!
What happened?
Elyan. He attacked me.
I think he's possessed.
What do you mean possessed?
He may have disturbed
a spirit at the shrine.
I think that spirit's
possessing him.
Why else
would he attack you?
When we catch him,
I intend to ask him
that very question.
I never thought I'd see the day
when we would be hunting
one of our own.
I just can't understand
why he would
attack Arthur.
What would you do
if your sister had been
banished from Camelot?
Well, my sister
is an evil old toad, so
I'd be eternally grateful.
There he is!
Elyan, we don't want
to hurt you.
Put the knife down.
Why don't we all just
put our weapons down and
sort this out like friends?
I had to do it.
Of course you did.
We understand.
We're your friends.
You failed me.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Elyan must be tried and punished
in accordance with our laws.
That would mean
putting him to death.
Well, so be it.
You can't afford
to show favoritism.
What if Elyan wasn't acting
of his own volition?
What do you mean?
Merlin believes that
Elyan has been possessed
by some kind of spirit.
Oh, I have no doubt
he's just trying
to protect his friend.
Why else would Elyan
attack Arthur?
His motive is obvious.
He seeks revenge.
You banished his sister
from Camelot.
I know Elyan.
And no matter what
he feels about his sister,
he would never attack Arthur.
Arthur, you must see.
All this talk of
possession and spirits...
it's just a ruse
to save Elyan's neck.
But what if it is true?
I'd be executing
an innocent man.
More than that,
I'd be executing a friend.
You cannot be seen to allow
someone to try and kill you
and then escape punishment.
You will appear weak.
That puts the whole
of Camelot in peril.
- Arthur...
- Leave me.
Both of you.
Agravaine is just pushing
for Elyan's execution.
Arthur may have no choice
but to sentence Elyan
to death.
We can't allow that to happen.
What do you propose
we do, Merlin?
There must be a way
of ridding Elyan of
the spirit that possesses him.
It would require
very powerful magic.
Then I must master it
if I'm to save Elyan's life.
And you intend to expel
the spirit in the cells...
under the noses
of the guards?
Of course not. First we need
to break Elyan out of the cells.
Did I miss out on that part?
Ha ha ha.
Elyan will have
to be unconscious
when you expel the spirit.
I put a powerful sedative
in this water.
And, Merlin, remember,
Elyan is not himself.
You cannot trust him.
I know.
Merlin.
I don't have time to explain.
You have to trust me.
We need to make it
to the cover of the woods.
You know, Merlin,
you're much braver
than you look.
Are you calling me
a coward?
I'm saying there's
not many people
with the courage...
to break someone
out of the cells.
I had to do it.
They were going
to execute you.
I know that you would
never hurt Arthur,
not of your own volition.
After all that running,
you must be thirsty.
Where are my manners?
You must be thirsty too.
No. After you.
No, no. After you.
I insist.
No. I had some water
earlier.
If I drink too much,
I have to pee all the time.
Ask Arthur. I'm always peeing.
What are you looking at?
I'm sorry, Merlin.
For what?
I won't fail you again.
Just before he jumped me,
there was a presence there.
I could sense it.
It was Elyan who was
supposed to be knocked out.
Not you, Merlin.
I must find Arthur.
Elyan could make
another attempt on his life.
After Elyan's escape,
Arthur was put
under heavy guard.
There's little more
you can do
to protect him.
This shrine...
do you think you
could find it again?
I'm not sure I want to.
You said I was never
to go there again.
We have to find out all
we can about this spirit.
Unless we know
what we're dealing with,
we won't be able
to help Elyan or Arthur.
Merlin?
It's just
through these trees.
What are we
looking for?
I'm not entirely sure.
But remember,
don't disturb
anything.
Trust me. I won't.
Sorry.
Gaius!
What is it, Merlin?
Something terrible
happened here.
These runes are
in the druid tongue.
I also found this.
There are crossbow bolts
scattered all around.
This was Uther's doing,
wasn't it?
It is revenge for Uther's crime
that the spirit seeks.
Merlin.
Good of you to join me.
Perhaps I should fill you in
on all that's been happening
while you've been...
That's a good question.
What the hell
have you been doing?
- I was...
- Choose your
next words carefully.
They may be your last.
I was searching
in the woods
for some herbs for Gaius.
Very rare herbs.
Hard to find, actually,
and I got lost...
You mean to tell me that
you've been wandering around
in the woods all night?
Yes.
What happened to your head?
I...I tripped over a root,
and I hit my head on a tree
and I knocked myself out.
Hmm.
Well, after wandering around
in the woods all night,
knocking yourself out,
you must be hungry.
I'm starving.
Pull up a chair. Tuck in.
Oh, thanks very much.
I am actually...
You're joking.
Oh, no.
Why are you doing this?
I must avenge my death.
What have you
done to Elyan?
Arthur!
Don't make me kill you.
I don't want to kill you.
Stop! That's not
the Elyan we know!
You let him go.
The palace is secure.
No one is able
to get in or out.
And we're searching
the lower town
even as I speak.
Fear not, my lord.
Elyan will be
hunted down and slain.
I'll see to it
personally.
Thank you, Uncle.
You know that isn't Elyan,
or you wouldn't have
let him go.
When Elyan spoke to me,
it wasn't with his voice.
It was the voice
of a boy, a child.
That is the voice of the spirit
that now possesses him.
What do you know
about this shrine, Gaius?
I believe the site
was once a druid camp.
There is evidence
that the camp was attacked.
Your father was relentless
in his persecution
of the druids.
Many died.
I believe it is one
of those tormented souls
that now possesses Elyan.
And that's why
he seeks his revenge.
The spirit
craves peace.
He wishes to find
his proper place
in the other world,
but the unjust nature
of his death
has denied him that.
Is there anything
that can be done
to change this?
In druid lore,
only the atonement
of the perpetrator...
can bring the spirit peace.
Uther's dead.
He can't atone
for what he did.
Indeed.
What about Elyan?
Elyan is no longer
the man you knew.
The spirit has a hold over him
that may be too powerful
to break.
All we can hope is that
he'll be found before he has
a chance to enact his revenge.
And if we do find him?
Then I fear you have
no choice but to kill him.
It's not your fault.
You can't be held responsible
for everything your father did.
That will be all, Merlin.
Thank you.
Are you sure you don't
want me to stay?
I think I'm going
to get an early night.
Yeah. Yeah,
I'm pretty tired, too,
what with having spent
the night in the woods.
No one said anything
about you getting
an early night, Merlin.
In fact, you can make up
for your little escapade
by polishing my armor.
Merlin.
Fancy meeting you here.
What the hell are you doing
creeping around in the woods?
I'm following you.
What the hell are you doing
creeping around in the woods?
Something I should
have done a long time ago.
Elyan could be out here.
Do you know
how dangerous that is?
I have to face him.
Feel free to go back to Camelot
anytime you like.
You're not going back then?
I thought
I might tag along.
I don't want you
getting lost and scared.
Are you sure
you want to do this?
Maybe we should wait
until it's light.
Or we could just do it now,
whatever it is
that we're doing,
in the dark, when it's
incredibly scary
and dangerous.
Is that a good idea?
We might be needing it.
I'm not sure a sword will be
much use against a spirit.
What about
against Elyan?
I'm here!
That's what you want,
isn't it?
What are you doing?
Everything Gaius said
about this place is right
except for one thing.
It wasn't my father
that led the raid
on the druid camp.
I did.
My blood is on your hands.
I cannot rest
because of what you did.
I know.
I am responsible
for what happened to you...
and for all the violence
that happened here.
When I led the attack
on your camp,
I was young
and inexperienced.
I was desperate to prove myself
to my men, to my father.
I told the men to spare
the women and children,
but I know that some of them
ignored the order.
And there was so much happening.
I wanted to stop it.
I froze.
I didn't know what to do.
I can still hear the screams.
I cannot right this wrong.
Nothing I can do will
ever change the horrors
that happened that day.
But I can promise
that now that I am king,
I will do everything
that I can...
to prevent anything like this
ever happening again.
From this day forth,
the druid people will be treated
with the respect they deserve.
I give you my word.
I am truly sorry
for what happened to you.
I forgive you.
Is that...
How's Elyan?
Is he going to be all right?
Gaius says he's going
to make a full recovery.
You know, that was
incredibly moving
what you said at the shrine.
As long as Elyan's
going to be all right,
it served its purpose.
It wasn't just
about Elyan though, was it?
You meant it.
I know you did.
Does this have a point,
Merlin?
I don't think I've ever
seen you cry before,
not like that.
You had tears running
down your cheeks.
It's nice to see
this new sensitive,
emotional side to you.
- It suits you.
- Shut up, Merlin.
Ah, I really thought
you'd changed.
Then you're as stupid
as you are ugly.
So there's no chance
that we could have a hug?
Merlin.
Princess Mithian,
you are most welcome.
- It is Arthur's
fate to marry Gwen.
- But am I supposed to do
anything about it?
- Guinevere made her choice.
Now she must take
the consequences.
They're planning
to attack Camelot.
- Who is this woman?
- A serving wench
I recently acquired.
- No more.
We must find her now.
- If you stay here...
- I have what I deserve.
You wish to see
your beloved Arthur again?
Then so you shall.