The dragon: In the land ofmyth and the time of magic,
the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy.
His name, Merlin.
(Dogs barking)
(Gasps)
What do you want?
(Screams)
Rise and shine!
Can't you think of anything new to say?
What?
Every morning, it is the same thing.
Oh, I'm sorry. How about...
Shake a leg?
Up and at 'em?
Let's have you, lazy Daisy?
No, you don't like any of them, do you?
Okay. Uh, I'm just gonna go before you decide to do something...
(Clanking)
The building works in the lower town have been delayed.
I want you to ensure it doesn't happen again.
I'll see to it.
Morning, morgana.
No. Thank you.
Anything the matter?
It's Gwen.
She didn't turn up for work this morning.
That's not like her.
I know. It's strange.
I hope nothing's wrong.
You needn't worry, morgana.
After all, if your maid can no longer be relied upon, we can easily replace her.
I'm sure she'll turn up soon enough.
I'm sure.
Go to Gwen's house. Find out what's wrong.
- And, Merlin? As quick as you can. - Yes, sire.
Gwen?
(Coughs)
You found him, then.
It was easy.
He was exactly where morgana said he'd be.
Guinevere!
(Yelps)
I trust you had a pleasantjourney?
Why have you brought me to this place?
I have a guest. I thought you might like to meet him.
Elyan!
Gwen!
Brother and sister reunited. It warms the heart.
What do you want from us?
All in good time.
Why are we here, elyan? What have you done?
I didn't do anything, I promise.
I swear.
I was at my forge, and they just came for me.
I tried to resist, but they drugged me.
There was nothing I could do.
What would a man like cenred want with us?
I wish I knew.
You are a cruel man, cenred.
Is it cruel to give them a moment alone?
They will have much to discuss.
Indeed.
Besides, the more she feels for her brother's plight,
the more she'll do for us.
What's that?
- I found it at Gwen's. - It's a scrap of cloth.
- I know. - She's a seamstress.
How could that possibly be important?
Smell it.
- No, thanks. - Just smell it.
What are...
What is that?
It's a compound of hogswort and valerian.
Uh, what?
- I'm just guessing. - You could knock a man out with that.
Yes. Or a woman.
Where have you taken elyan?
He's safe.
For now.
How do I know that?
We can talk about your brother later.
I want to talk about you and what you can do for me.
What could I possibly do for you?
You can bring me Arthur pendragon.
I'm just a servant. I have no influence with the prince.
(Laughs)
I think we both know that's not true.
- I don't know what you're talking about. - Enough!
You will bring him here. I don't care how you do it.
All I care is that it is done. You have a week.
And if I do not?
Then I'll let you watch
when I tear your brother's heart out.
The guards saw her leave the palace at the usual time.
After that, nothing.
Why are you telling me this?
Sire, I have reason to believe that Guinevere has been kidnapped.
- Kidnapped? - I'd like to organize a search party.
I hardly think that would be appropriate.
- Father? - She's just a serving girl.
She's the maid to the king's ward.
Very well, send a squad of guards to search the lower town.
- And the countryside? - They have until nightfall.
Father, I'm not sure what I can achieve...
Arthur, I have a kingdom to protect.
I cannot waste precious resources on a servant,
whatever their circumstances.
Gwen? Where have you been?
I'm sorry, my lady, I was unwell.
Are you better now?
Much better, thank you.
Well, don't tire yourself out.
Whatever you need to do, I'm sure it can wait.
Oh!
Gwen!
I've been searching the whole town for you.
- Arthur's been worried sick. - That's very sweet of him.
I just had a cold, that's all.
I went to your house, Gwen. You weren't there.
Oh, no. Uh, I was just...
Who did that to you?
- No one. It was an accident. - Gwen, look at me.
It's fine. I'm fine.
What I don't understand is how they knew.
About Arthur's feelings for you?
It's common knowledge Arthur would lay down his life for any of his subjects.
Cenred could have taken anyone.
Do you really believe that?
All I know is you're back home safe with your friends.
You don't have to face this alone.
Yes, I do, Merlin.
This is my problem. I can't involve Arthur. I won't.
- Arthur's already involved. - Not if I don't tell him about it.
Gwen, if Arthur was in trouble, wouldn't you want him to come to you?
You know I would.
The castle of fyrien, I'm sure of it.
I've never even heard of it.
Fyrien was a merchant.
He built the castle on the sea of meredor
as an outpost for the trade routes to the east.
But when war broke out with caerleon, the trade dried up
- and the castle was abandoned. - So it's ruined now?
No. It was built to withstand anything.
For cenred, it's the perfect hide-out.
Doesn't sound like an easy place to get into.
It isn't. And it will be well defended.
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought this to you.
You did the right thing.
Your brother will come to no harm, I promise.
How can you be so sure?
Because we're going to rescue him.
What do you mean "we"?
The three of us.
Cenred wants you dead.
- That's why he's doing this. - I know.
Cenred's wanted Camelot's throne for as long as I can remember.
Then we'll be walking into a trap.
Not necessarily.
Sister!
Is everything in place?
Arthur's taken the bait.
So he means to rescue her brother?
Just as we thought. There is nothing he would not do for her.
Excellent. And he comes alone, I take it?
Uther would never sanction an army for such a task.
He rides with just Gwen and Merlin.
Perfect. He is as good as ours.
And once he is dead?
Why, then you are uther's only child, and when the time is right
you may take your place on the throne of Camelot.
Father?
Hmm? What is it?
It's, uh, slightly awkward.
- Oh? - I was drawn into a wager.
And I lost.
Arthur, you know how I disapprove of gambling.
I know. I'm sorry.
How much do you owe?
Two silk dresses.
Excuse me?
Well, at least enough silk to have them made, anyway.
What kind of wager was this, exactly?
It was morgana's idea.
I should have guessed.
Really, Arthur, you should know better than to bet against morgana.
I know. The thing is, the cloth cannot be obtained in Camelot,
so I'm going to have to leave the city for a couple of days.
I'd get going if I were you.
You don't want to keep her waiting. She'll have your guts.
Thank you, father.
Morgana? Are you certain?
Yeah. She's been feeding cenred information.
How else would he know about Arthur's feelings for Gwen?
Then there's no denying it.
And if I could just go to Arthur and tell him what I know...
But you can't.
It will be your word against morgana's and she's the king's daughter.
I know.
She's found Arthur's weak spot.
Well, Arthur can't sacrifice himself for Gwen's brother.
No. Of course not. We're going to rescue him instead.
You're going to snatch this boy from under cenred's nose, you and Arthur?
Morgana knows nothing of this?
Merlin? Look after yourself.
Aren't you forgetting something?
I don't think so.
But I'm coming with you.
Didn't Arthur say?
No, he didn't.
Well, don't just stand there, Merlin. We need another horse.
Why didn't you tell me she was coming?
Why should I? What difference does it make to you?
I think it's a bad idea.
Who's gonna watch my back if we get into trouble?
- I am. - (Scoffs)
Come on. She's a darn sight better with a sword than you'll ever be
and you know it.
Besides, she insisted.
I bet she did.
- I used to be afraid of these woods. - I find that hard to believe.
My father would bring me here when I was a boy.
It seemed every falling leaf was a bandit,
every puff of wind was a ghost.
- You just get used to it in the end. - Don't think I'd ever get used to it.
You don't have to. You've got me.
What I mean is in the event of an attack,
we all watch out for each other.
Morgana, I think I can rely on your protection.
Of course.
And, Gwen? You'll look after Merlin, won't you?
(Giggles)
Go and get some more firewood, would you, Merlin?
I thought morgana was doing that.
Go and see if she's all right.
Why wouldn't she be?
I don't know. Maybe there are wolves in these woods.
No, I don't think so.
Merlin?
Oh, yeah. Yeah, of course.
The wolves.
- You need some help with that? - Thanks.
What do you want, Merlin?
Arthur sent me. He wanted to make sure that you were okay.
How very thoughtful of him.
Well, he cares for you, you know. And Gwen, too.
They're your friends, morgana. They've always been loyal to you.
Why are you telling me this?
Because I don't understand how anyone would want to hurt their friends.
No. You just poison them.
You'd do well, Merlin, to stay out of things that do not concern you.
Oh, but they do concern me because they're my friends, too.
And I'll do whatever it takes to protect them.
I would expect nothing less.
Sit for a moment. You're wearing me out just watching you.
It's good to keep busy. Stops me thinking too much.
You must be worried about elyan.
I'm always worried about elyan.
He's just one of those people.
Never settled down, never thinks about the future,
just follows his heart wherever it leads him.
Doesn't sound so bad.
Well, it wouldn't be, except he always manages to be in the wrong place
at the wrong time.
Well, I don't think it's his fault this time.
No. But even if it was, I'd still be there for him.
It's what you do when you love someone, isn't it?
If anything happens to you, I won't forgive myself.
Don't worry.
It won't.
- What's wrong with these things? - Here, let me.
I'm a blacksmith's daughter, remember?
Mmm.
I think I may have missed a twig back there.
Uh, would you like me to go and get it?
Cenred's chosen his hide-out well.
Now, the castle of fyrien backs onto the sea.
We'll be vastly outnumbered, and his lookouts will spot us
well before we've reached the gates, so we can't go that way.
But there's no other way, surely?
- Yes, there is. - Um, more beans, anyone?
- Beans? - No, thanks.
When caerleon was defeated by my father at the battle of denaria,
he retreated to the castle of fyrien
and it seemed a victory would be denied us,
but my father knew of a secret labyrinth beneath the castle.
- A labyrinth? - Fyrien was greedy.
To avoid Camelot's levies, he dug tunnels from the castle to the sea.
That way, he could smuggle goods into the kingdom without anyone knowing.
And you ambushed caerleon using these old tunnels.
He never saw us coming.
And neither will cenred.
So they are heading for the castle as planned?
Yes.
But Arthur means to catch you unawares.
What do you mean?
He knows of some tunnels beneath the castle.
There must be a secret entrance. Did he say where?
I'm sorry, that's all I know.
Then your work is not yet done, sister.
When you find the entrance, you must lead us to it.
But how?
(Casting spell)
When you are certain that you are alone, cast it upon the ground.
Its magic will guide us.
Trouble sleeping?
If you have a problem, Merlin, why don't you try talking to Arthur about it?
No? Well, keep your mouth shut, then.
(Casting spell)
(Morgana screams)
Are you all right?
My leg.
Can you walk?
No, it's your ankle. You need to rest it.
- We don't have that kind of time. - We can't go on without her.
What other choice do we have?
No, no, it's all right, I can go on.
No, you can't. It'll only make it worse.
I said I'm fine.
You were lucky. It could have been serious.
Come on, Merlin, don't just stand there.
(Groans)
- You all right? - Yes.
Morgana will lead us to the tunnel entrance?
She has not failed us so far.
Then Arthur's fate is sealed.
If you do your job properly.
- Don't worry about me. - I don't, believe me.
And I thought you cared.
I care only that morgana takes her rightful place
upon the throne of Camelot.
- I share that desire, morgause. - Of course you do.
After all, you stand to gain much from Arthur's death.
I don't deny it. But I'm rich and powerful already.
I do this only to please you.
Is that so?
Then please me.
Are you sure we shouldn't try to sneak into the castle itself?
- It might be easier. - No, the tunnels are a better bet.
That way, the element of surprise is guaranteed.
- No! No, no, no. - Are you questioning my judgment?
No. No. It's just, uh, an instinct, that's all.
Oh, well, if you've got an instinct,
we should ignore my lifetime of military experience.
What if it's a trap? What if cenred knows about the tunnels?
I'm willing to bet my life he doesn't.
Here we are.
Stay close.
(Coughs) Ugh.
Stop worrying about your hair, Merlin.
- Very funny. - It's a good sign.
Means that no one's been down here.
Caerleon's last stand.
Where's morgana?
I'm here.
Stick together, everyone. We need to keep moving.
(Footsteps approaching)
Quiet.
Quick, this way.
- We're trapped. - How did they know we were here?
It was probably my scream. I'm sorry.
Well, well. Arthur pendragon.
How kind of you to pay me a visit.
And look, you brought some friends with you.
(Chuckles evilly)
Oh!
The lady morgana, no less.
Don't so much as breathe on me, you pig.
Well, the more the merrier, I say.
I'm the one you want, cenred. Let them go.
You're right. That would only be fair.
But fair's for fools. Take them away.
I will not let you harm them! They're innocent!
Innocent? No friend of Camelot is innocent.
You shouldn't have come back for me, Gwen.
What were you thinking?
You're probably right. You'd think I'd have learnt by now.
I only hope Arthur can think of something.
Arthur?
Prince Arthur. I came with him.
Prince Arthur of Camelot?
Yes, elyan, prince Arthur of Camelot.
Why would he want to help you?
Why shouldn't he?
Uh, 'cause he's a prince and you're a servant?
He doesn't care about that sort of thing. He's, you know, chivalrous.
Right.
So he's like that with all the maids in Camelot?
Yes. I mean...
(Sighs)
It seems that things have changed for you, Guinevere.
Yes, I suppose they have.
I'm glad.
Sister! You are unharmed, I trust.
No thanks to your men.
Forgive me, but we must keep up appearances.
- What have you done with Arthur? - He's safely under lock and key.
- Why not just kill him now? - How cold-hearted you've become.
The prince still has his uses.
He knows more about Camelot's defenses than anyone.
Arthur will never tell you anything.
Cenred has his methods.
I don't understand why we're not dead already.
Because cenred will want to torture me first and find out what I know.
Aren't you afraid?
No. Not in the slightest.
I don't understand. How can you not be afraid of pain?
I am afraid of pain. There's just not going to be any.
Right, so you go into some sort of trance?
What are you talking about?
There's not going to be any because we are going to escape
from this filthy cell and rescue the others.
- You've got a plan. - Not as such.
You're angry with me, aren't you?
A bit.
Where have you been, elyan?
Here and there.
It's been four years since you left, and not so much as a word.
You could've been dead, for all I knew.
I meant to get in touch. It just never seemed like the right moment.
So when our father died,
wasn't that the right moment either?
I'm sorry.
I haven't been much help, have I?
Help! Quick!
The prince has escaped!
I'm so sorry.
I wish I knew where he was, but...
Oh, there he is.
Wonders never cease.
Any ideas?
Just this one.
Hello again!
Oh, I'm gonna enjoy this.
(Casting spell)
You know what your problem is?
All mouth and no trousers!
- Are you all right? - Yes!
- Where's morgana? - I thought she was with you.
They must be holding her somewhere else.
Let's go.
Take Gwen and elyan with you.
- Guard them with your life. - What about you?
- I'm going to get morgana. - No, you can't. It's too dangerous.
Sorry, Merlin, I'm not leaving without her.
When you get to the horses, ride straight for Camelot.
Do not wait for me. Promise.
- But I... - Promise.
I promise.
Elyan! Look after Gwen.
I'm going after him.
Good luck.
You too.
(Bells tolling)
Arthur!
You should have killed him when you had the chance.
He won't get far.
My men will deal with him easily enough.
- Cenred, if he escapes... - Do not fret, sister.
You are like family to our brave prince.
He will not leave this place without you.
And when he comes, we'll be waiting.
And then, my lady morgana, you must play your part well.
When have I not?
Evening!
That's close enough.
Please don't hurt me.
One more step and she dies.
You're a coward, cenred. You always were.
It's cowards that survive, Arthur. Now, put down your sword.
Do as he says.
You seem surprised.
Hardly.
I know what you're capable of.
Oh, you have no idea.
(Casting spell)
Are you all right? Come on.
Merlin, what the hell are you doing here?
- I thought you might need some help. - Get out of here now.
- I can't go on! - What's the matter?
- Worried about your friends? - My ankle!
I'm not a fool, morgana. I know what you're trying to do.
- You know nothing! - Come on!
- What's wrong? - My ankle.
What are you doing?
Trust me, I don't like it any more than you do.
Come on, Merlin!
I thought I told you to ride for Camelot.
You might be a prince, but I don't always have to do what you tell me to.
(Twigs snapping)
Not bad.
Well, practice makes perfect.
I guess.
What did cenred want with you?
He was trying to extract information. I told him nothing.
You see, that's what men like cenred will never understand.
Camelot was built on trust and loyalty.
It will never be defeated as long as we stay true to those ideals.
(Bells tolling)
(Knocking)
Come in.
- What are they? - Two silk dresses.
In case your father asks any questions.
Ah! Where did you get them from?
Well, let's just say they won't be missed for a day or two.
How's elyan settling in?
Really well.
He's got the forge up and running and a place to live.
He really appreciates all the help you've given him.
Was there anything else?
I just wanted to say thank you
for bringing my brother back.
It means more to me than I can say.
Well, it's like you said, Guinevere,
it's what you do when you love someone.
Merlin.
He has to decide upon a quest.
I enter into the realm of the Fisher king and find the golden trident.
Couldn't you have chosen something a bit easier?
Present this to the prince as a token of your good wishes.
It's an eye of the Phoenix!
If it's worn for too long, Arthur will die.
I have to look after him.
You'll need help.
So magic has arrived.
When he does not return,
you, sister, will take your place as sole heir to the throne of Camelot.