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.
[Children Chattering,
Laughing]
Wait.
There's still some pleasure
to be had here.
I'm not saying
it's inappropriate.
You're the king, and I'm not,
and of course it's your choice.
There's no doubt about that.
It could hardly be my choice,
could it, what with me
not being the king?
Nevertheless, I do feel
I have to say something...
because, strictly speaking,
these clothes are only
supposed to...
Merlin.
Yes, my lord?
Could you do something for me?
Absolutely. Not a problem.
Whatever needs doing.
Could you please shut up?
Yes, I can do that.
Of course I can.
That's not a problem.
Now!
My lords,
fellow knights,
gentlemen.
As you are all aware,
Camelot's claim
to the lands of Gedref...
has long been
in dispute.
Today I can announce
that, after many months
of confidential negotiations,
the kingdoms of Nemeth
and Camelot have reached
an agreement.
There's nothing
to fear.
It is a fair
and honorable agreement...
that befits
two great kingdoms.
Furthermore,
our friendship
will be cemented...
by a union
that cannot be broken...
my hand in marriage
to Her Royal Highness,
Princess Mithian.
Very good, sir.
Smile.
He can't mean that.
And clap.
Smile and clap.
How come I didn't know
any of this?
How come
you didn't say anything?
That's what "confidential"
means, Merlin...keeping it
from blabbermouths like you.
- You can't do this.
- No. You're right. I can't.
Oh, wait a second.
I'm the king, so I can.
- Surely it's a little bit...
- A bit what?
Soon?
What do you mean?
Um, well...
You mean Guinevere?
I told you not to mention
her name again.
Which is why I didn't.
How many times
do I have to tell you?
Guinevere made her choice.
She betrayed me.
Now she must take
the consequences.
But...
But what?
Nothing.
That's right.
Nothing.
Except that
you still love her.
You ever say anything like that
again, and I swear you'll
join her in exile forever.
Eoghan.
My lord.
Have you
what I asked for?
I, uh...
It was not so easy
as I thought.
I hope you haven't forgotten
how much I've done for you.
No. No, of course not,
my lord.
Or how simple it would be
for a man in my position
to have you arrested.
I should hate to see
such a young life wasted.
I cannot do it.
I cannot betray
my master's trust, my lord.
I'm sorry.
You'd rather betray mine.
Hmm?
Of course. I understand.
You swore loyalty
to your master.
It's commendable.
Now come.
Neither you nor I will say
any more about it, hey?
Particularly you.
You're late.
You have the plans?
There have been some
unexpected developments.
I hope you're not
going to tell me
you've failed me once again.
I'm sure there'll be
other opportunities
in the future.
Camelot grows in power
every day, Agravaine.
If we don't act now,
there will be no future.
Particularly for you.
It is not easy, my lady.
The plans for the siege tunnels
have always been
very well protected.
And yet you assured me
you could bring them to me.
- Or were you exaggerating?
- No. Not at all.
It will take time.
Enough!
A man of your standing
can go wherever he pleases,
Agravaine.
You're not suggesting
I take the risk myself?
But if I should be caught...
Hmm.
Best not to be caught then.
I was not mistaken.
The filth of the pigsty
cannot disguise true beauty.
Helios.
I'm only sorry we had to meet
under such circumstances.
Guinevere.
I suppose
I must thank you
for my life.
The villagers
were not so lucky.
These are difficult times.
I need new recruits,
and the youth of today
are not always...
enthusiastic.
Who are you?
From what family
do you come?
I'm no one.
I find that
hard to believe.
Nevertheless,
it is true.
No matter.
I'm not concerned with
where a person comes from,
only with what
they can become.
Would you do me the honor
of dining with me?
Knights of Nemeth,
Camelot welcomes you...
and extends
the hand of friendship.
Princess Mithian,
you are most welcome.
Thank you, Your Highness.
I've heard much about you.
And you are
more handsome in person
than reports suggested.
Um...
Are we to stay
in this chill all day?
Forgive me.
Tomorrow, there will
be a great feast...
to welcome
our worthy friends.
Were you expecting
something different?
Perhaps campfires
and raw meat?
I'm not sure
what I was expecting.
Please. Sit.
I want to know
all about you.
There's not much to tell.
Except how a beautiful woman
ended up swilling out the pigs
in the middle of nowhere.
It's a long story.
I have all night.
Once they killed my family,
I knew they would
come after me.
I had no choice
but to flee.
I traveled many months
before I found someone
willing to take me in.
Helping with the pigs
seemed a fair price
for such charity.
You have suffered much
for one so young.
Now those days
are truly behind you.
My lord.
I said we were not
to be disturbed.
The Lady Morgana
requests an audience.
She's here?
Make her welcome.
Tell her I will see her
right away.
- Are you all right?
- Yes, of course.
You don't mind
if someone joins us?
I had thought
we'd be alone.
It'll take
but a few moments.
I should retire.
There's no need.
I'm very tired.
But we have barely begun
to know each other.
I'm sure there will
be time enough.
Thank you
for your kindness.
Until the next time then.
You have company.
You never change, Helios.
Do you have the plans?
Not yet.
That was our agreement, Morgana.
Without them, any attack
on Camelot would be suicidal.
I hear your force
is not yet up to strength.
Preparations
are nearly complete.
But not quite yet.
- Are you doubting me?
- No more than you me.
Hmm.
I'm sure we understand
each other perfectly.
Come. You must be thirsty
after your ride.
You are welcome to stay.
Take care not to get
too distracted, Helios.
Still much to do.
Once I'm crowned queen
of Camelot, you may indulge
yourself all you wish.
I may keep you
to your word.
I look forward to it.
I thought you should see
for yourself, my lord,
as soon as possible.
You did the right thing,
Sir Leon.
Oh. Such a shame.
Poor boy must have lost
his footing on that wall.
And so I thought.
But the wall has
a high parapet.
It couldn't have
been an accident.
He was drunk.
Possibly, but there's
no smell of intoxication.
Then we only have
one recourse.
We must ask Gaius
to examine the body,
see if he can use his expertise
to tell us what happened
to the unfortunate boy.
I shall send for him
at once.
Are you going
to sulk all day?
I'm not sulking.
You haven't said a word
this morning.
I'm thinking.
You know how bad
that is for you.
It is Arthur's fate
to marry Gwen.
If that's the case,
then he will.
But am I supposed
to do anything about it?
You don't think
that's a little arrogant?
Yes!
And no. I don't know.
I don't know what
to do anymore.
You could start
by eating your porridge.
Gaius, I have a message
from Lord Agravaine.
He requires your presence.
Poor boy's broken his neck.
You can see the bruising
just here.
Must have been
from the fall.
Possibly.
But from such a height,
one would expect more injuries.
He hasn't so much as a graze,
never mind any broken bones.
What are you saying,
Gaius?
I'm not sure.
Not yet.
There's something here
in his tunic.
It's a letter
from Odin's court.
Let me see.
I must to the king
at once.
Young Eoghan was
the mapmaker's apprentice.
He was a good lad
from a decent family.
Yet willing
to sell his country's secrets
for a few pieces of gold.
And, of course, he did
have access to the city's
most sensitive plans.
The location
of the siege tunnels.
I fear so, my lord.
And I don't need to tell you
what an enemy could do
with such plans.
Was anything else found
alongside this letter?
No, sire.
Then it's possible
the boy succeeded in his mission
and was murdered for his pains.
We need to check the vaults.
Yes. Of course.
No sign
of a forced entry.
The boy would
have had full access.
No need to break the locks.
A complete inventory
will be necessary, my lord.
- With your permission,
I'll start right away.
- Meanwhile, double the guard.
Bring in the mapmaker.
It's possible the boy
wasn't acting alone.
I hope you're not going
to disappoint me once more,
Agravaine.
Plans to the siege tunnels
of Camelot...as good as
a key to the great gates.
But a good deal more deadly.
You've done well,
Agravaine.
Finally.
♪♪
Would you like
more soup, sire?
No, thanks.
Are you sure?
Merlin, you've asked me
that three times now.
Will you just...
You were saying?
Oh.
Uh, sorry. I, um...
No harm done.
The vaults are secure, my lord,
and, uh, there were
no plans missing.
Thank you for
performing your duties
with such haste, Uncle.
Now you have to make up
for lost time.
We're to have dancing,
and I hear
that your jig...
used to be
something to behold.
Uh, "used"
is the word, sire.
Alas, I am not as nimble
as I once was.
Nonsense.
I do feel that dancing
is best performed in youth
and appreciated in age.
I'm afraid
the festival of Ostara
will soon be upon us.
Should I be worried?
It's a tradition in Camelot
to have a hunt that day.
But Merlin can arrange
a tour of the city.
A tour?
Some of the buildings
go back many centuries.
Arthur,
I love hunting.
Really?
Really.
I believe these
are my chambers?
Of course.
Then I bid you
good night, sire.
Good night, Princess.
If I may.
Sorry.
Mithian.
Yes, my lord?
I was thinking,
perhaps...
Yes?
You might like
some breakfast.
Breakfast?
Tomorrow. With me.
Uh, a picnic somewhere.
Nice.
Somewhere nice.
I look forward to it.
"Breakfast." I...
Rubbish thing to say.
Where did you get this?
The source is impeccable.
If I'm to risk my men
against Camelot, I need more
than "impeccable," Morgana.
The king's uncle
and most trusted adviser...
Lord Agravaine.
I doubt you'll find a source
more impeccable than that.
Then it is only
a matter of time.
I will send word
the moment our forces
are at full strength.
Don't delay.
The treaty with Nemeth
will be sealed within days.
It will be soon.
Someone's listening.
Did you see who it was?
I can't be sure. Seal the camp!
Account for everyone!
Any sign?
She's taken nothing.
Who is this woman?
A serving wench I recently
acquired. No more.
Check the river.
- Does this woman have a name?
- Guinevere.
Your appetite
has betrayed you.
She's no serving wench.
We must find her now.
How about here?
What do you think?
Well, the view
is certainly spectacular.
Yes!
The ground isn't
really smooth, is it?
A bit bumpy.
Ah, what about over here?
Yes.
This is much better.
Merlin.
Perfect. Perfect.
Yet, is the view
really as good?
Arthur.
You'd prefer
the original?
Right, then. Merlin.
Don't be so mean!
- He doesn't mind.
Do you, Merlin?
Besides, he needs building up.
Look at him.
Enough.
Thank you, Merlin.
I'll do the rest.
I'm sorry.
I really don't know
what came over me.
I don't know what to say.
The trail has gone cold.
We should call off the search
until morning.
That woman must be found.
We'll search all night
if necessary.
Could be anywhere by now.
There's only one place
she'll go...to Camelot
and to Arthur.
Gather your men.
I don't know why I bother.
I should just leave him to it,
let him make his own mistakes.
See how he gets on
without me.
I should resign.
I said
I should resign.
Quite so.
Gaius, you're supposed to say,
"No, no, he needs you, even if
he doesn't realize it."
There's something
not quite right here.
Exactly.
I can't put my finger on it.
And I have to go hunting.
I hate hunting.
Thanks, Gaius.
You've really made me feel
a whole lot better.
You're not a fan
of hunting?
What sport is it
where one side has dogs
and spears and crossbows...
and the other nothing?
You're not much of a fan
of me either, are you?
Come on, Merlin.
I'd have to be a fool
not to notice.
Uh, I'm sorry
if I've caused offense.
I'm sure you have,
uh, good reasons.
One thing I've learned
since being here...
is that Arthur
values your opinion
above almost all others.
Even if he'd be
the last person
to admit it.
You can say that again.
I like him, Merlin.
I really do.
I didn't expect to, but...
Well, he's a lovable person,
isn't he?
Underneath it all.
All I ask is that you
give me a chance.
Can you do that?
Yeah.
Mmm.
Thank you.
Gwen.
How nice
to see you again.
Oh, you've forgotten.
I've hunted in these woods
since I was a child.
Leave me alone.
You've already
done enough harm.
You misjudge me.
We were friends once,
were we not?
I only wish to help.
The path to Camelot
is that way.
You think I'd ever
trust you again?
Oh, true.
I might be lying.
But perhaps not.
I know these woods too.
Truth is, it doesn't matter
which way you go.
You wish to see
your beloved Arthur again?
And so you shall.
[Speaking
Ancient Language]
Maybe we should
call it a day.
Nonsense.
We've barely begun.
There's not much point
in hunting if there's
nothing to hunt, is there?
We could always give you
a five-minute head start,
Merlin.
Deer!
A beauty.
Sire, she's yours.
I thought you were
a good shot, my lord.
A gold sovereign
says she's hit.
Hyah.
Deer tracks.
Ah. It can't
have gone far.
Have you found
the trail?
My lord?
My lord.
My lord?
There'll be
no more sport today.
I didn't take you
for a poor loser, sire.
Gwen!
Gwen?
Gwen.
Mmm.
Merlin!
How are you, Gwen?
I'm all right.
I think.
What are you doing here?
You were injured.
Oh, yes, I remember now.
Where's Morgana?
She was here?
She enchanted me.
She and the Southrons
and Helios...they're
planning to attack Camelot.
They'd never succeed.
They must know that.
They have help.
Agravaine gave them plans
of the siege tunnels
under the citadel.
Agravaine?
We must tell Arthur.
- Who's that?
It's a Camelot patrol.
They can lend you a horse.
No.
But, Gwen...
Please, Merlin. I can never
see Arthur again.
He wants to see you.
It cannot be.
Not after I betrayed him.
You go.
Tell him of the danger.
Gwen, if you stay here...
I have what I deserve.
Go! Hurry.
Go.
Sire?
I need to talk to you.
I told you I didn't want
to be disturbed.
Sire, it is important.
Very important.
You defy me?
You defy your king?
Yes, I do.
You know I would not do so
unless the situation was grave.
The idea is preposterous!
I've known my uncle
since I was a child.
I refuse to believe that
he would ever betray Camelot.
The plans
for the siege tunnels
are kept here.
I don't understand.
I came as soon
as I could, my lord.
Is there a problem?
No, Uncle, not at all.
- I'm sorry to have
inconvenienced you.
- Can we please...
One more word out of you,
and I swear to God
I will send you into exile.
Have you not slept,
sire?
Is there anything
you need?
How can I love someone
who's betrayed me?
Doesn't make any sense.
Yet how can I make myself
love another?
Tell me that.
If there is nothing else
that you require,
perhaps I could...
I don't know what to do.
I have no idea...
what to do.
What should I do, Merlin?
All I know, my lord,
is that...
no one would sacrifice
more for Camelot,
or you, than Gwen.
And if that were so?
You must do
what your heart
tells you, sire.
What if I don't know
what that is?
I think you do.
Is there anything else,
sire?
You may go.
Thank you, Merlin.
Princess.
Forgive me.
The time for words
is over, sire.
I understand.
And it's for this reason
that I hereby offer you
and your descendants...
all the disputed land
of Gedref.
You would give up
your ancient claims?
I have no desire
for war...
or to grieve you any more
than I already have.
Such an offer cannot
be rushed into.
I've had my scribes
draw up an agreement.
If you're happy
with the terms,
I'll sign forthwith.
And if I refuse?
It's all I can offer.
I do so most humbly.
Tell me.
Who is it that trumps
a princess?
No one...
and everyone.
What great family
is she from?
None. She's the daughter
of a blacksmith.
And for her you would risk
your kingship, your kingdom?
Without her,
they're worth
nothing to me.
Hmm.
I would give up
my own kingdom
to be so loved.
Farewell, Arthur.
Farewell, Princess.
Have I been a fool?
To give up so much for a woman
who betrayed me, a woman who
I might not even see again?
You will see her again.
You did the right thing,
my lord,
as I knew you would.
And how could you
be so sure?
Because you're Arthur.
You're noble.
You're the once
and future king.
Doomed to be a bachelor.
What's the point
of loving someone
who cannot be found?
Gwen will be found.
You will find each other.
Are you really wise, Merlin,
or just a prating fool?
I can no longer tell.
As if there was
ever any doubt.
Merlin.
It's time.