The 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.
Are they still after us?
I told you we'd outrun them.
You sure?
Why is it you never trust me, Merlin?
- Come on. This way. - Where are we going?
Trust me!
Arthur!
What are you doing? Come on.
What is this place?
The valley of the fallen kings.
- Is it cursed? - No. Unless you're superstitious.
- It is. - It's a myth.
They'll never follow us in here. They won't dare.
Trust me.
If you say that one more time...
- What was that? - An arrow.
An arrow? Oh, good. For a moment I thought it was something terrible.
Come on.
Dollop head.
I need you to recover.
Listen to me, clotpole,
I don't care if you die, there are plenty of other princes.
You're not the only pompous, supercilious, condescending
royal imbecile I could work for.
The world is full of them.
But I'm going to give you one more chance.
Tell me,
why are you so sad?
My friend, he's dying. I can't help him.
Then do not waste your tears.
I can tell you that the time for him to die is not yet upon us.
Don't be afraid. My name is taliesin.
- I'm Merlin. - I know who you are.
The moment of our meeting has been written for many, many years.
You are emrys.
- Arthur? - He is sleeping.
Within hours he will be fully recovered.
You're sure?
- If my memory serves me well. - What do you mean?
I want to show you something, Merlin.
- What? - You must wait and see.
Where are we going?
Why have you brought me here?
In good time you will discover all.
What is this place?
This is where magic began.
It is the crystal cave.
- What is it you see? - Images, flashes.
I've seen something like this before in the crystal of neahtid.
What you see here is exactly the same,
for the crystal of neahtid was hewn from this very cave.
Look into them, emrys, really look.
Much will be revealed.
Take me out of here.
How do I get back to Arthur?
The future is hidden to all but a very few, emrys.
- You are one such person. - No. I've been through this before.
Perhaps there is a reason you were brought here at this moment in time.
- What reason? - Only the crystals can tell you.
They contain futures that are not yet born.
The secrets they reveal, emrys, are unique to you and you alone.
Look into them, emrys.
Really look.
Use what you see for good.
What was that?
You look like a startled stoat.
Yeah? Well, at least I don't look like a bone idle toad.
Let's go.
Are you saying I look like a toad?
Yeah, maybe one day you'll magically transform into a handsome prince.
Since magic's outlawed, that'll probably never happen.
- Come on, let's go. - Merlin.
What?
I'm the one who gives the orders. Remember?
Yeah.
You ready? Let's go.
I don't understand. You said I had an arrow in my back.
How come all I can feel is a slight bruise?
- Don't know. - Merlin.
Did something happen you're not telling me about?
Come on. I'm missing your usual prattle.
You're certainly making up for it.
You still haven't answered my question.
The arrow didn't Pierce your armor,
and when you fell you knocked yourself out.
All right.
I don't normally say things like this, but you did a good job back there.
Did you hear what I just said?
All right, maybe I should give you some kind of reward. What do you want?
Some peace and quiet.
The bandits probably have a stronghold somewhere in the white mountains.
How we escaped, I'll never know.
Although some credit must go to my servant, Merlin.
Dispatch a patrol, I want these men caught and brought to justice.
Immediately, father.
For a moment we feared you might miss lady morgana's birthday.
It would take more than a bunch of thieves to keep me from such a feast.
Tomorrow promises to be quite a night.
Gaius, I can't get these visions out of my head.
You are extremely lucky to have seen the crystal cave.
Even before the great purge,
wizards would talk about it with reverence.
That man who led me there, who is he?
Who was he?
He died, I'd say, about 300 years ago.
Taliesin was a seer to the great kings of old.
It is said that the crystal cave was the source of his prophecies.
He told me.
He said there was a reason I was brought there at this moment in time.
It must mean the events I saw are imminent.
Morgana is going to kill uther.
Merlin, you must be careful. The crystals are treacherous.
What you saw may not be all that it seemed.
So I do nothing?
There is nothing to suggest that what you saw is imminent, is there?
So, iwouldn't let it put you off your soup.
No, you're right.
- Come on, eat up. - What is it?
Sometimes it's best not to know.
- You're up. - It's morgana's birthday.
- I have to get her a present. - What are you getting her?
- It's a secret. - Come on, you can tell me.
A dagger.
It's happening! The future I saw, it's started.
Calm down, Merlin.
I just saw morgana struggling with a horse
exactly as she was in the crystals.
- Are you certain? - It was the same image.
But she's always riding.
It's not unusual to see her with a horse.
It's not the only thing.
Arthur's present for morgana, he's told me it's a dagger.
A dagger?
Merlin, I think you're overreacting. It could be any dagger.
As for the sight of morgana with a horse...
- It was the same. - It's hardly a rare sight.
It's certainly not one to be trusted as a harbinger of doom.
Ah, Merlin. Have you done my clothes for the feast?
Ah! No.
No. No. Well, what have you been doing?
- Um... - Hmm?
Right, well, you can start by pressing my robe,
and, uh, cleaning my shirts and, ooh, polishing my boots.
Ah, morgana's present. What do you think?
Beautiful, isn't it? Feel the balance.
Feel the sharpness of the blade.
Yeah, it's just what every woman wants, isn't it?
What do you mean?
Well, I'm no expert, but don't women normally go for pretty things,
like, maybe, jewelry?
How do I look?
Same as you always do.
Handsome?
You've brightened up.
- I've seen morgana's present. - The dagger?
It's very plain, bit boring.
And not like the one you saw?
No, that was sumptuous, ornate.
I'd probably be disappointed if I were morgana.
Good, so now you can stop worrying.
Oh, I have. I'm going to continue as if I'd never even met taliesin.
I'm going to enjoy this feast like everyone else.
Even if it's for morgana.
All: To lady morgana.
Happy birthday.
Arthur.
It's not often you're right, Merlin, but this is one of those rare occasions.
Girls do like pretty things. Thanks.
Don't you see? It's started. It's coming true.
We can't be certain about that.
- We have to stop her. - How?
Merlin, we don't know when this is going to happen.
We don't even know if it will.
We have to watch her.
Night and day?
I was shown these visions for a reason.
This is madness.
We'll take it in turns. She cannot be left alone.
You've got some lovely presents.
Mainly hairbrushes.
Who is king gromause?
At least he doesn't think my hair needs brushing.
It's so pretty.
Here. I want you to have this.
- Me? No! - It's a thank you.
Thank you.
We need water and bandages.
- I'll get that. - And yarrow.
We need to stop the bleeding.
- She's having problems breathing. - Dianthus?
Yes, and a preparation of pulmonaria. Lungwort, Merlin.
Quarter of an ounce, ground fine, and mixed with Violet.
- How could this have happened? - Arthur, I need room here.
Yes. Of course.
Anything you need, just tell me.
Gwen: Will she be all right?
Gaius: We've done the best we can.
I can heal her skin, Gwen, but her skull, the cranium is broken.
She's bleeding inside.
I had to stop the future.
I had to stop morgana killing uther.
I didn't mean to do it like this.
It wasn't your fault, Merlin.
I've prevented something much worse from happening.
I just wish it could have been some other way.
Sword belt, Merlin. Where's my sword belt?
What the hell is it doing over there?
It's twisted. Here. Here.
I'm sorry about morgana.
If Gaius could do something, he would.
After all we went through to rescue her, for her to survive all that.
I know.
And to lose her now, like this.
I've grown up with her. She's like a sister to me.
I would sacrifice my place on the throne for her to see another sunrise.
So beautiful.
Yes, sire.
I cannot watch her die, Gaius.
I wish there was something I could do...
No. You don't understand.
I cannot lose her. No matter what happens, she cannot die.
Gaius: I will do everything I can, sire, but...
No, Gaius. Whatever it takes, whatever. I don't care.
You must save her.
- If I knew a way... - You're not understanding me, Gaius.
Cure her. I don't care what remedy you use.
In all these books there must be something.
Something in the old religion?
- Are you suggesting... - Sorcery, yes.
I know she is dear to you, sire,
but surely you're not going to risk everything for morgana.
Gaius, you don't understand.
There's something you should know.
Something I've told no one.
Morgana is my daughter.
It was whilst gorlois was away. He was fighting in the northern plains.
Her mother, Vivienne,
grew lonely...
I understand, sire.
I've said enough.
The people must never know who morgana really is
for Arthur's sake.
I assure you, sire, your secret is safe with me.
That explains everything. No wonder he spent a year looking for her.
Now we know why she can do no wrong.
Sire.
This is from Gaius. He thought it might help ease your mind.
You are Gaius' boy?
He is my guardian.
You are like a son to him.
- Yes. - I see the way he cares for you.
You feel your child's everyjoy
and their pain.
You watch their failings and you see your own.
All you want is for their happiness.
For them to escape the sufferings of life.
Why? Why has this happened?
I would do anything. Any...
Gaius: Her breath is leaving her.
She will be gone by morning.
You summoned me, young warlock.
And to what do I owe the pleasure this time?
I have been to the crystal cave.
I saw morgana make an attempt on uther's life.
It does not surprise me.
But I stopped her.
To change the future is no simple matter, Merlin.
To do so is fraught with danger.
I know, and as a result of my actions, morgana is dying.
Then you should rejoice!
I want you to help me to save her.
Merlin, have you learned nothing?
I did not mean to kill her.
All I wanted was to avoid the future that would've unfolded,
to prevent uther's death, to prevent Camelot being torn apart.
I will not cure her!
She is uther's daughter.
Yes.
You knew.
Why didn't you tell me?
It makes no difference.
Whatever she was about to do, I stopped her.
There's no need for people to suffer.
The witch must die, as she should have done long ago.
I will not save her.
I am a dragonlord! You cannot refuse me!
How dare you treat me such?
How dare you abuse your power?
I command you.
Very well. But I warn you,
the evil that will follow
is of your doing and yours alone.
I'll sit with her. Why don't you go and get some sleep?
Come on, you must be exhausted.
- If she wakes up... - I'll call you.
Thank you.
I never thought...
It's truly a miracle.
Thank you, Gaius.
I knew you would not fail me.
I assure you, sire, I did nothing.
Of course. I understand.
I won't ask any questions.
But I will not forget this, Gaius.
I couldn't watch everyone's grief.
I know.
But you're playing with things that are beyond you.
Thank you, Gwen.
I couldn't ever let you die. I think I somehow willed you to live.
You've always been so good to me.
- I'm grateful. - You and Arthur,
you mean everything to me, morgana.
I know I could have no better guardian.
Being so close to death has made me realize
how important you and Arthur are to me.
- How close we are to each other. - Yes.
You are like a father to me.
Yes.
I wish the people knew that.
- They do. - Not really.
Of course they do.
In the eyes of the people I'm no more than your ward, a guest.
What matters is what we feel.
That's what's important, not what the people think.
I must let you rest.
- Morgause. - Sister!
I waited for you the other night. What happened?
Something is wrong.
There is much to tell you, morgause.
What is it?
I overheard uther.
What?
Uther is my father.
I am his daughter.
Uther?
He's been lying to me all these years.
- But this is glorious news. - He disowned me.
He wants people to think that he's the perfect king.
It's more important to him than his own flesh and blood.
Don't you see? This is wonderful.
You have a legitimate claim to his throne.
No, sister, you don't understand.
He must pay for this.
- You must go. - No.
I don't want to leave you like this.
You must or they will find you here.
Do not do anything rash, morgana. Promise me.
We must bide our time.
We need to seal the drawbridge, search the grounds.
I'll inform the king.
Merlin, what's the matter?
That was the next image I saw in the crystal.
I haven't stopped anything.
Have they found the intruder?
Not yet.
Looks like it's going to be a bad night.
Yes.
What are you doing here?
Arthur sent me to look after you. He's worried about the intruder.
- I don't need you. - He was quite insistent.
Get out of my way!
What's going on?
Uh, there was a fire and I was scared.
I wanted to be with you. You're the only person I feel safe with.
You saved the king's life.
Onlyjust.
I thought I could alter the future, but instead, I caused it,
I made it happen.
What you did was dangerous, even for someone as gifted as you.
But what's done is done.
There are more important things for us to worry about.
I fear that morgana knows the truth.
About what?
She knows the king is her father.
That explains why she acted so suddenly.
Arthur must be careful.
Morgana is of royal blood.
If uther were to die, Arthur is all that stands between her
and the throne of Camelot.
Merlin.
Marriage? I cannot marry someone I don't love.
You can and you will.
- I'm not the perfect Princess, am I? - Poppycock!
We have waited many years for this moment.
If I marry her, what will you do?
I will watch you grow into the king that Camelot deserves.