Dragon: In a land ofmyth and a time of magic,
the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy.
His name, Merlin.
I understand you have a shield for me.
With your swordcraft, and this shield,
I guarantee you will win.
- Show me how it works. - Certainly.
When you're competing in the tournament,
you pin your opponent under the shield, a snake strikes.
Your opponent will be paralyzed.
The snakes are now under your command.
They'll do anything that you tell them to do.
- Anything? - Just say the word.
Kill him.
Knight Valiant of the western isles. I'm here for the tournament.
Welcome to Camelot.
Ready?
Would it make any difference if I said "no"?
Not really.
Body. Shield. Body. Shield.
- Shield. Head? - Head! Ow!
Come on, Merlin, you're not even trying.
I am.
- Once more. - No.
To the left, right, and left. Head!
Come on, Merlin. I've got a tournament to win.
Can we stop now, please?
- Shield. Body! Shield! - Shield.
Merlin: Ow!
You're braver than you look. Most servants collapse after the first blow.
- Is it over? - That was just the warm up.
How's your mace work coming along?
So how was your first day as Arthur's servant?
Do you hear clanging?
It was horrible,
and I've still got to learn all about tournament etiquette by the morning.
Hoi! What have I told you about using magic like this?
If I could actually feel my arms, I'd pick up the book myself.
Never mind your arms, what do I do if you get caught?
What would you do?
You just make sure it doesn't happen for both our sakes.
I save Arthur from being killed and I end up as his servant.
- How is that fair? - I'm not sure fairness comes into it.
You never know, it might be fun.
You think mucking out Arthur's horses is gonna be fun?
You should hear my list of duties...
We all have our duties, even Arthur.
It must be so tough for him, with all the girls, and the glory.
He is a future king. People expect so much of him.
He's under a lot of pressure.
That makes two of us.
So, you've got voiders on the arms,
- the hauberk goes over your chest... - Chest, arms, chest.
I guess you know what to do with the helmet.
Yeah, that was the only bit I'd figured out.
How come you're so much better at this than me?
I'm the blacksmith's daughter.
I know pretty much everything there is to know about armor
- which is actually kind of sad. - No, it's brilliant.
You do know the tournament starts today?
Yes, sire.
- You nervous? - I don't get nervous.
Really? I thought everyone got nervous.
Will you shut up?
Great. Yeah. I think you're all set.
Aren't you forgetting something?
- My sword? - Yeah. Yeah. Sorry.
So you'll be needing that.
That went well.
Knights of the realm, it is a great honor to welcome you
to the tournament at Camelot.
Over the next three days, you will come to put your bravery to the test,
your skills as warriors,
and of course, to challenge the reigning champion,
my son, prince Arthur.
Only one can have the honor of being crowned champion,
and he will receive a prize of 1,000 gold pieces.
It is in combat that we learn a knight's true nature.
Whether he is indeed a warrior, or a coward.
Let the tournament begin!
I trust you will make me proud.
Go on!
Yeah!
Knight Valiant looks pretty handy with a sword.
May I offer my congratulations on your victories today?
- Likewise. - I hope to see you
at the reception this evening.
Creep.
For tomorrow, you need to repair my shield, wash my tunic,
clean my boots, sharpen my sword, and Polish my chain mail.
- Are you using magic again? - No.
What's all this then?
I just came to tell you that supper's ready.
Knight Valiant of the western isles, my lord.
I saw you fighting today. You have a very aggressive style.
As my lord said, to lose is to be disgraced.
I couldn't agree more. Knight Valiant,
may I present lady morgana. My ward.
My lady.
- I saw you competing today. - I saw you watching.
I understand the tournament champion
has the honor of escorting my lady to the feast?
- That's correct. - Then I will give everything
to win the tournament.
My lady.
- Arthur. - Father.
They all seem rather impressed by knight Valiant.
- They're not the only ones. - You're notjealous, are you?
I can't see there's anything to be jealous of.
Could Arthur be any more annoying?
I so hope knight Valiant wins the tournament.
- You don't really mean that. - Yes, I do.
Hello?
Is someone there?
- Can I help you with something, boy? - Nope. I'm good.
I was... I was just gathering my master's armor.
- Then you best be on your way. - Right. Yeah.
No problem.
- You did all this on your own? - Yes, sire.
Now let's see if you can get me into it without forgetting anything.
That was much better. Not that it could have got any worse.
- I'm a fast learner. - I hope for your sake that's true.
Good luck.
Is it my imagination or are you beginning to enjoy yourself?
It isn't totally horrible all the time.
Yes!
Strike him! Strike him!
I think he's badly hurt.
- How is he? - It's most odd. Look at this.
See these two small wounds. It looks like a snake bite.
How can he have been bitten by a snake?
He was injured in a sword fight.
And yet his symptoms are consistent with poisoning,
- slow pulse, fever, paralysis. - Can you heal him?
Well, if it is a snake bite, I'll have to extract venom from the snake
that bit him to make an antidote.
What happens if he doesn't get the antidote?
Then I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do for him. He's going to die.
- He was fighting knight Valiant. - What's that?
Nothing.
Dinner time.
Come on.
I've just seen one of the snakes on Valiant's shield come alive.
- He's using magic. - Are you sure?
The snake ate a mouse, one swallow, straight down.
Ewan was fighting Valiant when he collapsed.
It must've been one of the snakes from the shield.
I have to tell Arthur.
Is there a chance you might be mistaken?
I know magic when I see it.
- Perhaps, but have you any proof? - Don't you believe me?
I fear you'll land yourself in trouble.
How will you explain why you were in Valiant's chambers?
What does that matter? He's using magic to cheat in the tournament.
But you can't go accusing a knight of using magic without proof.
The king will never accept the word of a servant over the word of a knight.
So what I say doesn't count for anything?
I'm afraid it counts for very little as far as the king's concerned.
That's the way it is.
You're telling me you've got to fight that?
Yes. And he's as strong as a bear but he's slow.
- And you're fast. - Exactly.
- You're not worried, are you? - No.
- How are you getting on? - Fine.
I'm just doing my job, minding my own business.
Valiant's going to fight Arthur in the final.
He'll use the shield to kill him.
Merlin, about what I said yesterday.
Look, uther really wouldn't listen to you or me.
But you're right.
We can't let Valiant get away with this.
But we don't have any proof.
Well, if we could cure Ewan,
he could tell the king that Valiant was using magic.
The king will believe another knight.
But how we get the antidote, well, that's another matter.
Merlin?
So, Valiant, do you think you stand a chance of defeating my son?
He is a great warrior, my lord. I do hope to be a worthy opponent.
You should stay in Camelot after the tournament.
I could do with more knights like you.
I'd be honored, my lord.
I'll get started preparing the antidote.
- I'm going to tell Arthur. - You'll need this.
And, Merlin, what you did was very brave.
You? You chopped its head off?
Ewan was bitten by a snake from the shield when he was fighting Valiant.
You can talk to Gaius. You can see the puncture wounds on Ewan's neck
where the snake bit him. Ewan was beating him. He had to cheat.
Valiant wouldn't dare to use magic in Camelot.
Ewan was pinned under Valiant's shield.
No one could see the snake bite him.
I don't like the guy, but that doesn't mean he's cheating.
Gaius is preparing an antidote to the snake venom.
When Ewan's conscious, he'll tell you what happened.
If you fight Valiant in the final, he'll use the shield.
It's the only way he can beat you.
Look at it.
Have you ever seen any snakes like this in Camelot?
I know I'm just a servant.
And my word doesn't count for anything.
I wouldn't lie to you.
I want you to swear to me what you're telling me is true.
I swear it's true.
Then I believe you.
Welcome back.
There was a snake on his shield.
- It came alive... - You're weak.
The snake's venom is still in your system.
- I must warn Arthur... - Arthur already knows.
He's requested an audience with the king.
Now they'll want to talk to you. Rest. You'll need your strength.
I need to fetch more herbs. I'll be right back.
Why have you summoned the court?
I believe knight Valiant is using a magic shield
to cheat in the tournament.
Valiant, what do you have to say to this?
My lord, this is ridiculous. I have never used magic.
Does your son have any evidence to support this outrageous accusation?
- Do you have any evidence? - I do.
I'm afraid this potion tastes like toad water,
but it will get you back on your feet...
Ewan?
- Let me see this shield. - Don't let him get too close.
Be careful, my lord.
Merlin?
We need Ewan. Find out what's happening.
Valiant: As you can see, my lord, it's just an ordinary shield.
He's not gonna let everyone see the snakes come alive.
Then how am I to know that what you say is true?
I have a witness.
Knight Ewan was bitten by one of the snakes from the shield.
Its venom made him grievously ill, however, he has received an antidote.
He'll confirm that knight Valiant is using magic.
- Where is this witness? - He should be here.
Where's Ewan?
- He's dead. - I'm waiting!
I'm afraid the witness is dead.
So you have no proof to support these allegations?
Have you seen Valiant using magic?
- But my servant fought the snakes... - Your servant?
You make these outrageous accusations
against a knight on the word of your servant?
I believe he's telling the truth.
My lord, am I really to bejudged on some hearsay from a boy?
I've seen those snakes come alive.
How dare you interrupt? Guards!
- My lord. - Wait!
I'm sure he was merely mistaken.
I wouldn't want him punished on my account.
You see? This is how a true knight behaves,
with gallantry and honor.
My lord, if your son made these accusations
because he's afraid to fight me,
then I will graciously accept his withdrawal.
Is this true? Do you wish to withdraw from the tournament?
Then what am I to make of these allegations?
Obviously, there has been a misunderstanding.
I withdraw the allegation against knight Valiant.
- Please accept my apology. - Accepted.
I believed you. I trusted you.
You made me look like a complete fool.
I know it didn't go exactly to plan.
Didn't go to plan?
My father and the entire royal court think I'm a coward.
You humiliated me!
We can still expose Valiant.
- I no longer require your services. - You're sacking me?
- I need a servant I can trust. - You can trust me.
And look where it got me this time. Get out of my sight!
Where are you?
I just came to tell you, whatever you think my destiny is,
whatever it is that you think I'm supposed to do,
you've got the wrong person.
That's it.
Good bye.
Dragon: If only it was so easy to escape one's destiny.
How can it be my destiny to protect someone who hates me?
A half cannot truly hate that which makes it whole,
very soon you shall learn that.
Ah, great. Just what I needed, another riddle.
That your and Arthur's path lies together is but the truth.
- What is that supposed to mean? - You know, young warlock,
this is not the end.
It is the beginning.
Just give me a straight answer!
- Hello, Merlin. - All right.
Is it true what you said about Valiant using magic?
What're you gonna do?
Why does everyone seem to think it's down to me to do something about it?
Because it is, isn't it?
You have to show everyone that you were right and they were wrong.
And how do I do that?
I don't know.
That's it.
Where're you going?
Do you have a wheelbarrow?
What're you doing with that?
I'm going to let everyone see the snakes for themselves.
Arthur!
I thought I told you to get out of my sight.
Don't fight Valiant in the final tomorrow.
- He'll use the shield against you. - I know.
Then withdraw. You have to withdraw...
Don't you understand? I can't withdraw.
The people expect their prince to fight.
How can I lead men into battle if they think I'm a coward?
Valiant will kill you. If you fight, you die.
Then I die.
How can you go out there and fight like that?
Because I have to. It's my duty.
Let me.
I used to help my father with his armor.
Thanks.
Arthur?
Be careful.
See you at the feast.
I did it!
- Arthur's fighting Valiant. - I know. I'm on my way.
Whatever you do, don't go into my room. I'll deal with it later.
What're you doing? I didn't summon you!
He is using magic!
And now they see you for what you really are.
Kill him!
Arthur!
Looks like I'm going to the feast after all.
My honorable guests.
I give you prince Arthur, your champion!
- My lady. - My champion.
See? I told you he gets all the girls and the glory.
And he owes it all to you.
Has your father apologized yet for not believing you?
He'll never apologize.
I hope you're not disappointed that Valiant's not escorting you?
Turns out he wasn't really champion material.
- That was some tournament final. - Tell me about it.
It's not every day a girl gets to save her prince.
I wouldn't say I needed exactly saving.
I'm sure I would've thought of something.
So you're too proud to admit that you were saved by a girl?
Because I wasn't.
You know what? I wish Valiant was escorting me.
Me, too. Then I wouldn't have to listen to you.
- Fine. - Fine.
Can you believe morgana?
She says she saved me. Like I needed any help.
I wanted to say, I made a mistake.
It was unfair to sack you.
Don't worry about it.
Buy me a drink. We'll call it even.
I can't really be seen to be buying drinks for my servant.
Your servant? You sacked me.
And now I'm rehiring you. My chambers are a complete mess.
My clothes need washing, my armor needs repairing,
my boots need cleaning, my dogs need exercising,
my fireplace needs sweeping, my bed needs changing
and someone needs to muck out my stables.
We have to discover how this illness is spreading.
- We're searching every room in town. - Gaius: What for?
- A sorcerer. - What have you done
with the magic book I gave you?
The most likely cause is sorcery.
- Gwen! - What have I done?
I haven't done anything. Please, no. I'm innocent.
- It was me. - Merlin, you will pay for this.
No, please. Help me!