Dragon: No young man, no matter how great,
can know his destiny.
He cannot glimpse his part in the great story
that is about to unfold.
Like everyone, he must live and learn.
And so it will be for the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot.
A boy that will in time father a legend.
His name,
Merlin.
(People speaking indistinctly)
(Crowd whispering)
Let this serve as a lesson to all.
This man, Thomas James Collins,
is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic.
And pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, uther pendragon,
have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death.
I pride myself as a fair and just king,
but for the crime of sorcery,
there is but one sentence I can pass.
(All exclaim)
When I came to this land this kingdom was mired in chaos.
But with the people's help magic was driven from the realm.
So I declare a festival
to celebrate 20 years since the great dragon was captured
and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery!
Let the celebrations begin!
(Woman wailing)
There is only one evil in this land and it is not magic.
It is you!
With your hatred and your ignorance.
You took my son,
and I promise you, before these celebrations are over,
you will share my tears.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son!
Seize her!
(Chanting)
Where would I find Gaius, the court physician?
There.
(Knocking)
Hello?
(Bubbling)
Hello?
Gaius?
(Clears throat)
(Yells)
How the... what did you just do?
Tell me.
(Stammering) I have no idea what happened.
If anyone had seen that...
No. That was nothing to do with me.
I know what it was.
I just want to know where you learnt how to do it.
Nowhere.
- So how is it you know magic? - I don't.
Where did you study?
Answer me.
I've never studied magic or been taught.
- You lying to me, boy? - What do you want me to say?
- The truth. - I was born like this.
That's impossible.
- Who are you? - Oh, I have this letter.
- I don't have my glasses. - I'm Merlin.
- Hunith's son? - Yes.
But you're not meant to be here till Wednesday.
It is Wednesday.
All right, then. Well, you'd better put your bag in there.
- You won't say anything about... - No.
Although, Merlin. I should say "thank you."
Hunith: My dear Gaius, I turn to you for! Feel lost and alone
and don't know who to trust.
It is every mother's fate to think her child is special
and yet I would give my life that Merlin were not so.
Ours is a small village and he is so clearly at odds
with people here that if he were to remain
I fear what would become of him.
He needs a hand to hold, a voice to guide,
someone that might help him find a purpose for his gifts.
I beg you, if you understand a mother's love for her son.
Keep him safe. And may god save you both.
(Door opens)
- Morgana? - Yes?
What is this? Why are you notjoining us at the feast?
I just don't think chopping someone's head off is cause for a celebration.
That poor mother.
It was simple justice for what he'd done.
To whom? He practiced some magic.
- He didn't hurt anyone. - You weren't around 20 years ago,
you've no idea what it was like.
How long are you going to keep punishing people
for what happened then?
Until they realize there is no room for magic in my kingdom.
You will be with me when I greet lady Helen.
- I told you I want no part... - I'm your guardian.
I expect you to do as I ask.
If you show me no respect at least respect our finest singer.
You know, the more brutal you are, the more enemies you'll create.
(Door closes)
(Humming)
(Rustling)
(Animal howls)
Hello?
Gregory?
Lady Helen.
- Is all well? - Yes, ma'am.
With luck, we should reach Camelot late tomorrow.
- That's good. - I'll be outside if you need me.
(Sighs)
(Howling continues)
Who's there?
(Horse whinnying)
(Gasps)
(Humming)
(Chanting)
(Choking)
(Gasping)
(Continues chanting)
Dragon: Merlin.
Merlin.
I got you water.
- You didn't wash last night. - Sorry.
Help yourself to breakfast.
How did you do that? Did you incant a spell in your mind?
- I don't know any spells. - So what did you do?
- There must be something. - Ltjust happens.
We better keep you out of trouble.
You can help me until I find some paid work for you.
Here, hollyhock and feverfew for lady percival, this is for sir olwen.
He's blind as a weevil so warn him
- not to take it all at once. - Okay.
And here.
Off you go.
And, Merlin, I need hardly tell you
that the practice of any form of enchantments will get you killed.
I brought you your medicine.
Gaius said don't drink it all.
(Gulps)
I'm sure it's fine.
- Arthur: Where's the target? - There, sir.
- It's into the sun. - It's not that bright.
- Bit like you, then. - I'll put the target the other side?
This will teach him.
(All laughing)
- Hang on! - Don't stop.
- Here? - I told you to keep moving.
Come on, run.
We want some moving target practice.
Hey. Come oh, that's enough.
- What? - You've had your fun, my friend.
- Do I know you? - I'm Merlin.
- So I don't know you. - No.
Yet you called me "friend."
- That was my mistake. - Yes, I think so.
I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass.
Or I, one who could be so stupid.
Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?
- Would you like me to help you? - I wouldn't if I were you.
- Why, what're you gonna do to me? - You have no idea.
Be my guest. Come on. Come on.
Come on.
I'll throw you in jail for that.
Who do you think you are, the king?
No, I'm his son, Arthur.
(Humming)
Lady Helen. Thank you so much for coming
- to sing at our celebrations. - Pleasure is all mine.
- How was your journey? - The time it took, sire.
- Well, it's always worth the wait. - It will be.
Dragon: Merlin.
Merlin.
Gaius: Merlin?
You never cease to amaze me.
The one thing that someone like you should do
is keep your head down, and what do you do?
- You behave like an idiot. - I'm sorry.
You're lucky. I've managed to pull a few strings to get you released.
Oh, thank you, thank you. I won't forget this.
Well. There is a small price to pay.
Oh, god!
(Laughs)
Merlin: Thanks.
I'm Guinevere. But most people call me Gwen.
- I'm the lady morgana's maid. - Right. I'm Merlin.
- Though most people call me "idiot." - No, no, I saw what you did.
- It was so brave. - It was stupid.
I'm glad you walked away, you weren't gonna beat him.
- I could beat him. - You think?
Because you don't look like one of these big muscly kind of fellows.
- Thanks. - No. I'm sure
you're stronger than you look.
It's just Arthur's one of those real rough, tough,
save-the-world kind of men and...
- Well... - What?
You don't look like that.
I'm in disguise.
- It was great you stood up to him. - You think so?
Arthur's a bully. And everyone thought you were a real hero.
- Oh, yeah? - Mmm-hmm.
Excuse me, Guinevere. My fans are waiting.
Do you want some vegetables with that?
- I know you're still angry with me. - Your mother asked me
- to look after you. - Yes.
What did your mother say to you about your gifts?
- That I was special. - You are special.
The likes of which I've never seen before.
- What do you mean? - Well, magic requires incantations.
Spells, it takes years of study. What I saw you do was...
Elemental. Instinctive.
What's the point if it can't be used?
That I do not know.
You are a question that has never been posed before, Merlin.
Did you ever study magic?
Uther banned all such work 20 years ago.
- Why? - People used magic
for the wrong end at that time. It threw natural order into chaos.
Uther made it his mission to destroy
everything from back then, even the dragons.
- All of them? - There was one dragon
he chose not to kill, kept it as an example.
He imprisoned it in a cave deep beneath the castle.
Where no one can free it.
Now, eat up. When you've finished I need you
to take a preparation to lady Helen. She needs it for her voice.
(Door opens)
- What're you doing in here? - I was asked to deliver this.
How's your knee walking coming along?
Oh, don't run away.
- From you? - Oh, thank god,
I thought you were deaf as well as dumb.
Look, I've told you, you're an ass.
I just didn't realize you were a royal one.
Oh, what are you going to do? Get your daddy's men to protect you?
I could take you apart with one blow.
I could take you apart with less than that.
Are you sure?
Here you go, big man.
Come on, then.
I warn you, I've been trained to kill since birth.
Wow, and how long have you been training to be a prat?
- You can't address me like that. - Sorry.
How long have you been training to be a prat, my lord?
Come on then, Merlin. Come on!
- You're in trouble now. - Oh, god!
- Do you want to give up? - To you?
Do you? Do you want to give up?
Wait. Let him go.
He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one.
There's something about you, Merlin.
I can't quite put my finger on it.
How could you be so foolish?
- He needed to be taught a lesson. - Magic must be studied,
mastered, and used for good. Not for idiotic pranks.
What is there to master? I could move objects like that before I could talk.
Then by now you should know how to control yourself.
I don't want to. If I can't use magic, what have I got?
I'm just a nobody, and always will be.
If I can't use magic, then I might as well die.
Merlin. Sit up, take your shirt off.
(Merlin groaning)
You don't know why I was born like this, do you?
I'm not a monster, am I?
Don't ever think that.
Then why am I like this? Please. I need to know. Why?
Maybe there's someone with more knowledge than me.
If you can't tell me, then no one can.
Take this. It will help with the pain.
- Will you sing for me tonight? - You will have to wait, sire.
- You will not deny me. - I'm saving myself
for my performance tomorrow. Will everyone be there?
- Who would dare to miss it? - How about your son?
- It seems a shame not to have met him. - That's Arthur.
- Poor child. - Hmm?
Poor child, it can't have been easy to grow up without a mother.
Hmm.
That bond between mother and son is so hard to replace.
- Hasn't been easy. - I'm sure.
Perhaps if you found someone. If you remarried.
I'm sure you'd have the pick of any lady in the kingdom.
Perhaps I'll find love again.
But I'm afraid it's too late to replace Arthur's mother.
Yes. It's certainly too late for Arthur.
Dragon: Merlin.
Merlin.
(Gaius snoring)
(Shattering)
Dragon: Merlin.
Merlin.
(Dragon laughing)
Where are you?
I'm here.
How small you are, for such a great destiny.
Why? What do you mean? What destiny?
Your gift, Merlin, was given to you for a reason.
So there is a reason.
Arthur is the once and future king who will unite the land of albion.
- Right. - But he faces many threats
from friend and foe alike.
I don't see what that has to do with me.
Everything.
Without you, Arthur will never succeed.
- Without you, there'll be no albion. - No.
- No, you've got this wrong. - There is no right or wrong.
- Only what is and what isn't. - But I'm serious.
If anyone wants to go and kill him they can go ahead.
In fact, I'll give them a hand.
(Chuckung)
None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin.
And none of us can escape it.
No, no way, no. There must be another Arthur, because this one's an idiot.
Perhaps it's your destiny to change that.
Wait! Wait! Stop! I need to know more.
(Rooster crowing)
Hoi! Have you seen the state of this room?
It just happens.
- By magic? - Yeah.
Well, you can clear it up without magic.
Then I want you to get me some herbs. Henbane, wormwood and sorrel.
And deliver this to morgana.
The poor girl's suffering from nightmares.
I know the feeling.
You know I've been thinking about Arthur.
I wouldn't touch him with a Lance pole.
Pass me that dress, will you, Gwen?
I mean, the man is a total jouster.
Just 'cause I'm the king's ward, that doesn't mean
I have to accompany him to the feast, does it?
- Well, does it? - (Mimicking Gwen) Mmm-mmm.
If he wants me to go, then he should invite me.
And he hasn't. So do you know what that means?
(Mimicking Gwen) Mmm-mmm.
- Where are you? - (Mimicking Gwen) Here.
It means I'm going by myself.
I need some help with this fastening.
- Gwen? - I'm here.
(Mouthing)
So, it's whether I wear this little tease,
or give them a night they'll really remember.
Lady Helen.
- Compliments of the king. - Come in.
So sweet. How will I ever repay him?
When he hears you sing, that'll be more than enough, won't it?
I'm really looking forward to the performance.
So am I.
I love singing, you know. I sing all the time.
My betrothed says I have the voice of a fallen angel.
(Humming)
(Gasping)
God have mercy!
Merlin.
Remember, you're here to work.
- She looks great, doesn't she? - Yeah.
- Some people are just born to be queen. - No.
I hope so. One day. Not that I'd want to be her.
- Who'd want to marry Arthur? - Oh, come on, Gwen,
I thought you liked those "real rough, tough, save-the-world kind of men."
No, I like much more ordinary men, like you.
Gwen, believe me, I am not ordinary.
I didn't mean you. Obviously, not you.
Butjust, you know, I like much more ordinary men, like you.
Thanks.
(Humming)
(Organ music playing)
We have enjoyed 20 years of peace and prosperity.
It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures,
but few can compare with the honor of introducing lady Helen of mora.
(Singing)
(Gasping)
You have saved my boy's life.
- A debt must be repaid. - Well...
Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded.
Honestly, you don't have to, your highness.
No, absolutely. This merits something quite special.
- Well... - You shall be awarded
with a position in the royal household.
You shall be prince Arthur's manservant.
Father!
(Knocking on door)
Seems you're a hero.
- Hard to believe, isn't it? - No.
I knew it from the moment I met you.
- You saved my life, remember. - But that was magic.
And now it seems we've finally found a use for it.
- What do you mean? - I saw how you saved Arthur's life.
- No. - Perhaps that's its purpose.
-My destiny. 4ndeed.
This book was given to me when I was your age
but I've a feeling it will be of more use to you than it was to me.
But this is a book of magic?
Which is why you must keep it hidden.
I will study every word.
(Knocking on door)
Guard: Merlin! Prince Arthur wants you right away!
Your destiny's calling. You'd better find out what he wants.
The tournament begins!
I trust you will make me proud.
Arthur: I need a servant / can trust.
Merlin: You can trust me completely.
Get out of my sight.
Merlin: Whatever you think my destiny is, whatever it is you think
I'm supposed to do, you've got the wrong person.