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.
- What's he actually doing? - Thinking.
About?
You.
(Merlin grunting)
He has to decide upon a quest.
Crouching on his knees all night is going to help?
Yes.
He has to transcend his body so that the quest is revealed to him in a vision.
And you're going to stay here and watch?
Gwen!
This is one of the most important days in a prince's life.
(Snoring)
(Clears throat)
Uther: It is time.
What is the quest you have chosen?
I can see but one path, sire.
I am to enter the realm of the Fisher king,
and find the golden trident.
Spoken of in the legends of the fallen kings.
You do understand that if you are to prove yourself worthy of the throne,
then you must complete this task, alone?
And unaided?
I do.
You'll get hiccups.
Who's the Fisher king?
He was a sorcerer who lived many hundreds of years ago.
And?
Legend has it that he was wounded in battle.
The wound festered.
And the infection spread, not just through his body,
but through his lands as well.
His mighty kingdom was reduced to a wasteland.
And has remained that way to this very day.
I don't understand, why is uther so worried?
Some believe that the Fisher king is still alive.
Kept from death by his magic.
- Do you? - Perhaps.
Perhaps not. But the people of the north,
call the area, the perilous lands.
Few who have ever ventured there have lived to tell the tale.
(Hicupping)
I ate too quickly.
(Merlin hicupping)
- Merlin. - I can't help it.
I need to concentrate.
(Merlin hicupping)
(Slowly) I am trying to prepare
for one of the most important moments in my life.
What are these maps?
None of them are the same.
- Well done, Merlin. Do you know why? - No.
Because hardly anyone's ever been there.
Couldn't you have chosen something a bit easier?
I'm meant to be proving my worth to the people.
A quick trip to the lower town
to collect a bundle of herbs probably won't cut it.
But the perilous lands are perilous.
Maybe I should come with you?
- What for? - To
- help out. - You
really don't get it, do you?
The task must be completed alone,
and unaided.
That's the way it's been for hundreds of years,
it's not about to change for you.
Now, if you don't mind,
I've some important preparation to do.
(Merlin hicupping)
Please, please.
Just spare me a few minutes of your time, sister.
My lady?
It's all right, Gwen, I won't be a moment.
I must be quick, sister. This enchantment won't hold for long.
Tell me, what has Arthur chosen as his quest?
He sets out tomorrow for the perilous lands.
How perfect.
Present this to the prince as a token of your good wishes.
When the time is right,
you must make a likeness of the prince
and bind it to the gift using the skills that I taught you.
When he does not return,
you, sister, will take your rightful place
as sole heir to the throne of Camelot.
(Gasping)
My lady, are you all right?
Why wouldn't I be?
I... I thought...
That poor woman didn't have a penny to feed her family,
I felt duty bound to help her, Gwen.
- I know you have to go but... - I'll be careful.
For me.
You look troubled, sire.
He's the sole heir to the throne, morgana.
Don't worry.
I'm certain a pendragon will rule over Camelot for a long time to come.
Beautiful, isn't it?
It was a gift from morgana.
You sure it wasn't a Jewel?
No, brighter than that.
You think it was enchanted?
There was magic there, I could feel it.
You sure?
Well, if it came from morgana, it can only mean one thing.
Arthur's in danger.
I'm not sure I know where else to look, Merlin.
Has to be something.
We've seen every stone imaginable.
Unless...
- Merlin? - Gaius, that's it.
That is not a stone, Merlin. It's an eye of the Phoenix.
- Phoenix? - Some call it the fire bird.
Its eye burned with a fire
that consumes the life-force of anybody it comes in contact with.
-Arthurl -the eye will draw energy from him.
If it's worn for too long, Arthur will die.
I have to go after him.
This is not a task to be undertaken lightly, Merlin.
You'll need help.
(Door opening)
What is it now?
I just wanted to see if there was anything you needed.
No, get out.
- Is something burning? - I said, get out!
(Men fighting)
Hello, Gwaine.
Oh, Merlin.
- How are you? - Give me my money.
Gwaine?
Gwaine: Run!
Remind me again, what you're doing here.
Arthur's in trouble, I need your help.
- What kind of trouble? - There.
Merlin: He's gone to the perilous lands.
- You're serious? - Yeah.
Because now, it sound pretty attractive.
- All right. Go for the horses. - You have got to be joking.
(Shouting)
(Both laughing)
Who is it that wishes to cross my bridge?
A knight.
On a quest to find the trident of the Fisher king.
Then you must be courage.
No, I'm prince Arthur of Camelot.
I'm grettir.
I have to say, you're not as short as I'd thought you'd be.
Before I let you pass, I'll give you a little advice.
Besides courage there are two more things you'll need
to complete your quest.
Strength and magic.
I don't condone the use of magic.
You'll be wise not to dismiss it so freely.
The rules in the land that you're heading to
are quite different to those in the world that you know.
Thank you for your help.
It's a very beautiful bracelet.
It was a gift from someone very dear to me.
She hoped it would bring me good fortune.
Did she now?
How very thoughtful of her.
Merlin: Why were those men so angry?
Gwaine: It's always the way in gambling.
You make a man a fool, he calls you a thief.
How'd you find me?
It wasn't easy. I've been in almost every tavern in angard.
So have I.
(Both laughing)
- You're so good to me, Gwen. - Thank you.
It's nothing.
You're upset with me.
I know, I shouted at you last night.
I'm sorry.
- What can I do to make it up? - It's forgotten.
Why don't I give you some time off?
Don't look at me like that. I'm sure I can look after myself for one night.
That's very kind of you, my lady.
Glad we're friends again.
Before I go, I'll make sure everything's ready for your return.
That's sweet.
Don't stay too late.
This is it.
On the other side of the forest lie the perilous lands.
- It doesn't look friendly. - That's because it's not.
- What do you mean? - It's wretched.
How do you know? You've never been there.
I've traveled to many places, Merlin.
Not the perilous lands, I'd have heard that.
- Why! - There aren't any taverns.
I told you it was wretched.
Gwen?
(Gasping)
So, magic has arrived.
- What? - There's nothing to be afraid of.
Your presence is essential if Arthur is to succeed on his quest.
How do you know about Arthur? Who are you?
The keeper of the bridge.
I only wish to see the Fisher king's lands restored
and prosperity reign again.
Till your mission is complete, this cannot happen.
- It's not my mission, it's Arthur's. - If that's what you choose to believe.
It's no accident that Arthur chose this path or you chose to follow him.
Ah, finally.
Strength has arrived. The trio is complete.
Who's he?
I mean no harm to either of you.
And I'd thank you to mean no harm in return.
Where's my sword?
It will return to you once you reach the other side.
The Fisher king has waited many years for this day,
do not deny him what he wishes.
Remember, nothing is as it seems.
(Panting)
(Distant screeching)
What was that?
A pheasant.
- A pheasant? - A very big one.
You can turn back if you want to.
I'm not scared of pheasants.
I don't know. Why do you want to do this?
Same reason as you.
Help a friend.
Arthur's lucky to have us.
Hail Arthur.
- He'd do the same for you. - Well, I hope so.
You're the only friend I've got.
I'm not surprised.
(Distant screeching)
That sounds like three pheasants, at least.
(Banging at door)
- I'm sorry to wake you. - Don't be silly.
- I'm not sure who else I can talk to. - What is it, child?
- It's morgana. - What's happened?
She had a box and
her eyes were like they were on fire.
What do I do, Gaius? She's using magic.
Everything may not be as it seems, Gwen.
No, no, I know what I saw.
I've known morgana for so long. I don't want to believe this.
She isn't the person I knew.
She changed, Gaius.
I don't think she means well to any of us anymore.
I wish I could say otherwise.
But I fear you're right.
(Wyverns screeching)
There it is.
What's that in the sky?
They're not birds. I've never seen creatures like that.
It's like they're hunting something.
- What was that? - Sword.
It's Arthur.
(Wyverns screeching)
I should've known.
- What are they? - Wyverns.
Distant cousins of the dragon.
They're creatures of magic. So be careful.
Let's split up.
Arthur?
(Sighing)
(Speaking in dragon language)
What the hell are you doing here?
Why can you neverjust say, thanks?
Thanks? What? For completely ruining the quest?
Well, it's a good job that I was here otherwise you'd be wyvern fodder by now.
How many times do I have to get it into your thick skull?
I am supposed to be doing this, alone!
(Wyverns screeching)
Great.
This just gets better and better. Are Gwen and morgana here, too?
We're going to have a surprise party?
There are more wyverns on the way. We need to get out of here.
I'm not leaving without the trident.
That was the whole point of this quest.
Do you want us to help you?
- Or do you want to do this alone? - Merlinl
Merlin: Do you know where the trident is?
If I did, there wouldn't be a problem, would there?
Any clues you can give us?
This is a quest, Merlin, not a treasure hunt.
- Ah, it is sort of... - Merlin!
Look at this.
Looks like a throne room.
If the trident's going to be anywhere...
(Walls rumbling)
Gwaine: Merlin, watch out!
Merlin? Merlin?
- You all right? - Gwaine? Arthur?
There's got to be a way to open this.
So, emrys.
You are here at last.
So you are still alive.
For now.
Look, I'm sure if we just reach in here...
We will be able to find something to release the door.
Go on then, don't be such a Princess.
It's your quest after all.
(Stone rumbling)
- Haven't... - Your friends
courage and strength, I know.
Without their help, you would not be here.
What is it you want?
I want an end to my suffering.
You want to die.
I've been waiting all these years
for the arrival of a new time.
The time of the once and future king.
I have heard these words before.
And you will hear them again.
For that time is dawning.
And my time finally can come to an end.
This is why you were brought here.
Oh, this is not Arthur's quest,
it is yours.
Arthur thinks the prize is the trident.
The real prize
is something far greater.
Water
from the lake of avalon.
I've kept it safe these years,
waiting for the right person to claim it.
And that is you.
You are the one chosen.
What are you talking about?
Albion's time of need is near.
And in that dark hour, you must be strong.
For you alone can save her.
Your powers are great, but you will need help.
And that is what I'm giving you.
When all seems lost
this will show you the way.
Thank you.
I've given you a gift
now you must give me one in return.
But I have nothing to give.
(Groaning)
I think you do.
If I give you this,
you'll die.
Thank you.
(Door rumbling)
Merlin.
Ah, look what I found.
Let's get out of this place.
Gwaine: This is the border.
By uther's decree I can go no further.
I'm sorry, Gwaine, there's nothing I can do to change that.
- Maybe one day. - Yeah.
When Camelot gets itself a half-decent king.
Careful, he is my father.
Well, you can't have everything, eh?
Where will you go this time?
Think I'll ride south.
You can't keep living like that.
Yeah, but it's fun trying.
Thanks, Gwaine.
I'll remember this, Gwaine.
Merlin: I've got to say, that was a good quest.
Did you meet that man on the bridge?
I don't know why, but he was really scary.
And then the door to the throne room! That was so close.
You do talk some nonsense sometimes, Merlin.
I mean what on earth would you know about this.
It's not like you were there.
- Of course I was. - You were not there.
You've not seen me for days. You've been on a little trip to the cove.
Or whatever it is you do in your spare time.
Ah, course. If your father was to find out you weren't alone...
Yes, Merlin, so...
- Just keep your mouth shut. - Absolutely, sire.
I'd do anything you say.
For a price.
What kind of price?
A day off.
I think you've had too many of those herbs you've been picking.
My lady.
Arthur, oh, thank god.
(Sniffs)
Isn't it wonderful?
I'm so happy.
I'll clear that up.
Arthur, I don't know what pleases me more.
To be in possession of such a precious artifact,
or to know that you have finally proved yourself
to be the man I've always hoped you would be.
Thank you, father.
I have no doubt that you will one day, make a fine king.
- It's from the lake of avalon? - That's what he told me.
- Interesting. - You think?
It must have some significance.
Maybe...
Do you believe his warnings?
Well, we already know one enemy within our walls.
Morgana.
Her abilities are growing.
Whether the Fisher king is right or wrong,
we'd be foolish to ignore his words.
The dragon: Merlin.
- I've missed you. - And I, you.
(Incanting spell)
(Screaming)
There's some kind of creature roaming around.
That is the manticore.
The ancients lived in fear of it.
Trembled at its very name.
I love you, Alice.
She's up to something. Whatever it is, it isn't good.