"In a land of myth and a time of magic the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man." "His name:" "Merlin." "Oh!" "Did you see that?" "It's a man throwing sticks in the air." "What's wrong?" "It's your birthday." "A huge feast is being held in your honor." "You've got dancers, jugglers and acrobats to entertain you." "It must be a terrible burden." "Perhaps I'm less easily impressed than you." " I'm really looking forward to it." " Because you have the mind of a child." "And yet I'm still more intelligent than you." "I heard that." "You have misplaced something, Geldred?" "Our special gift to the prince." "I cannot find it anywhere." "Geldred, I took the liberty of ensuring their safe passage myself." "We must make sure that this is a celebration the young prince will never forget." "The court discussed the annual levy this morning." "The council suggested we raise it, but I feel the people are already overburdened." "We should not talk about matters of court today." "Father?" "You think I would ever forget that today is the anniversary of your birth?" "I take it there are plans for suitable celebrations this evening." "A feast and, um some entertainment." " I'll tell you about it tomorrow." " Nonsense." "You think I would miss my son's anniversary?" "I require a volunteer." "Prince Arthur, what better or more fitting occasion for you to demonstrate your legendary bravery?" "Do you accept the challenge?" "Of course." " Is this safe?" " It's knife throwing, Merlin." "Of course it's not safe." "I could hardly refuse his challenge." "Do not fear, my lord." "I never miss my target." "Good." "Glad to hear it." " May I?" " Uh" " Unh." "See, Merlin?" "Nothing to worry about." "In a few hours time, the sedative on the apple will begin to take effect." "The prince will be defenseless." "Then we will strike." "You're telling me you weren't even a little bit scared?" "Of course I wasn't." "I'm a warrior." "You learn to control your fear, to channel it." "You looked scared." "It was good to see my father enjoying himself." "He looked a little quiet towards the end there." " Perhaps I should go see him." " Are you sure that's a good idea?" " You can barely stand up." " Are you saying I'm drunk?" "No." "I'm just saying I don't think you should be wandering around the palace." "And why is that?" "You're not wearing any trousers." "Good point." "Guards!" "Guards!" "Goodbye, Arthur Pendragon." "It'll take more than a coward like you to kill my son." "Have you anything to say to your son before I kill him?" " Unh." " Father?" "No." "Guards." " I'll go get help." " Stay with me." "I'm here, Father." "Guards!" "Someone!" "We need help." " It's my time." " No." "You can't die." "I know you will make me proud, as you always have." " You will be a great king." " I'm not ready." "You--You have been ready for some time, Arthur." "No." " I need you." " I know I've not been a good father." "I've put my duty to Camelot first." " No." " I'm sorry." "Don't say that." "But know this, Arthur." "I've always loved you." "Gaius." "Can you treat him?" "The blade has touched his heart." "He's bleeding inside." "There must be something-- There must be something you can do." "Please, Gaius." "It's only a matter of time, I'm afraid." "I'm sorry, Arthur." "We traced the assassin to the town of Wenham." "It's in Odin's land." "It seems he hired him to kill you to avenge the death of his son." "Camelot's thoughts are with you, Arthur." "But if there's anything I can do..." "Your support means a great deal to me." "Thank you." " What news of my father?" " There is no change." "Why isn't Gaius doing something then?" "Because there is nothing he can do." "Now, is that any way to greet an old friend?" " I wasn't expecting you today." " I had to see you." "I bring good news." "Better than we could have hoped for." "What is it?" "Uther has been mortally wounded." "He's on his deathbed." "Gaius says he only has a few days to live." "I hope the image of my face haunts him." " How is Arthur?" " Devastated." "Poor boy can't think straight." "Then we must strike while he's vulnerable." "When Uther dies, the kingdom will be weak." "We must choose our moments carefully." "Who knows what opportunities the coming weeks will hold?" "I appreciate your kindness everything you're doing for him." "I do it for you." "Oh, Arthur." "I can't watch him die." "There's still so much I want to say to him." "He cannot die." "What's going on?" "It's a vigil for your father." "The people wish to share their grief." "Why are they behaving like he's already dead when there's still life in his body?" "They're preparing themselves for the worst." "Well, they can give up hope, but I won't." "I know." "It's hard to accept." "I wish it wasn't so, but there really is nothing that can be done." "There is a way to heal my father." "How?" "With magic." " Arthur's planning on using magic?" " He's desperate." "He knows it's his only hope of healing Uther." "Merlin, please tell me you're not going to do this." "I'd be lying if I said no." "You can't risk exposing yourself like this." "It's too dangerous." "Arthur didn't recognize me last time when I was 80 years old." " There's no reason why he should this time." " The last time you used an aging spell, you nearly had yourself burnt at the stake." " It's worth the risk." " Do you think Uther is going to thank you for healing him with magic?" "He's more likely to have you hanged." "Uther will never change his attitude towards magic." "I know that." "But if Arthur allows it to be used to heal his father his attitude would be changed forever." "He'll see that magic can be a force for good." "You of all people should know that the use of powerful magic is fraught with danger." " If it works, I won't have to hide anymore." " And if it doesn't?" "I can't stand by and watch you do this, Merlin." "Well, don't try and stop me, because you can't." "You're playing a dangerous game, Merlin." "I've been playing a dangerous game since the first time I set foot in Camelot." "Maybe this is my chance to change that." "Well?" "What did Gaius say?" "Did he have any information?" "He didn't know much, but he has heard of a sorcerer, an old man." "He lives in the forest of Glaestig." "Gaius thinks he may be able to help you." " Will he lead me to him?" " He has told me all that he knows." "We will have to find him ourselves." "If you were me and it was your father would you use magic to save his life?" "Yes, I would." "I would do whatever it took." "Prepare the horses." "Gather supplies." "We ride at first light." "Arthur." "What news of your father's health?" "No improvement, I'm afraid." "Something's on your mind." "I didn't want to go behind your back." "I have decided to use magic to heal my father." "I would strongly advise against such a course of action." " There is no other way." " Magic caused your mother's death, Arthur." " If you respect her memory, you cannot." " Would you see my father die?" "Perhaps it is his time." "Look, I know we've both suffered because of magic but I can't stand by and let my father die." "My mind's made up." "Are you sure this is the right place?" "It looks like a charcoal maker's hut." "The old man can hardly make a living practicing magic." "I think that a lot of sorcerers are in the charcoal business." "Are you joining me?" "We don't want to overwhelm him." "Probably doesn't get many visitors." "I'll stay out here and watch the horses." "I have never met anyone who's so scared so often." "Scream like a big girl if there's any trouble." "Don't worry." "You'll hear me." "Hello?" "There's no one here." "Are you sure this is the right place?" "I'm absolutely certain of it." "I'm sure he'll be back soon." "How do you know?" "He's a doddery old man." "He can't have gone far." "If you want his help, you'll have to just wait for him inside." "Where are you sneaking off to?" "I have to pee." "So unless you want to come and watch me" "You should wait for him inside." "Why would I want to watch you?" "There's the hut." "I have to" "Make yourself at home." "You." "So we meet again, Arthur Pendragon." "You have come to kill me?" "No, that wasn't my intention." "I broke a pot." "You always were a clumsy fool." "Excuse me?" "So if you haven't come all this way to kill me, why have you come here?" "I take it you didn't come all this way just to smash my favorite pot." "If I'd known who you were, I wouldn't have come at all." "I thought you may have come to ask me to use magic to heal your father." "How did you know?" "I know more than you can possibly comprehend." "Well, given your hatred for my father and everything he stands for I've clearly had a wasted journey." "Do not suppose that you know my mind." "Will you help me?" "You are asking me to save the life of a man that would have me executed?" "I know what I'm asking of you, and I know you have no reason to help me but you're my father's only hope." "I'll give you anything you ask for:" "land, gold." " Name your price." " I do not want your gold!" "All I have ever wanted is that people like me can live in peace." "That those who practice magic are accepted rather than hunted." "That is all I ask." "That is the price of your father's life." "I give you my solemn word." "When I am king, things will be different." "You won't have to live in fear." "Then I will help you." "Then there's no time to waste." "We must ride for Camelot immediately." " Now?" " My father weakens by the hour." "But I have no horse." "You can use Merlin's." "He'll have to walk back." "You would make your servant walk back to Camelot?" "I have a good mind not to help you." "I don't care whose horse you use." "We have to get back to Camelot before it's too late." "First, I must gather some rare herbs." "They are an essential part of the cure." "I will come to Camelot at nightfall." "If you want my help, that is how it needs to be." "I will meet you at the lower gate outside the town." "Give me your word you'll be there." "You have my word." "Now just wait here one moment!" "Why?" "Questions." "So many questions." "For once in your life, would you just do what you're told?" "All right." "Merlin?" "What were you doing?" "Peeing." "You mean to say you were peeing all the time I was in there?" " Yeah." "I really had to go." " There is definitely something very wrong with you." "Merlin!" "I was worried." "I thought something had happened." "Well, apart from Arthur thinking there's something very wrong with my bladder everything went to plan." "I take it that this means you're going through with it." "If I can heal Uther, Arthur has given me his word that when he's king, magic will no longer be outlawed." "Could change everything." "What if something goes wrong?" "What of Arthur's attitude to magic then?" "I live with the risk of being exposed every day." "If I don't take this opportunity maybe I'll spend the rest of my life having to hide who I really am." "Everyone's always telling me I have this great destiny." "Maybe this is it." "I have to try." "Arthur has gone to consult with a sorcerer." "He intends to use magic to heal Uther." "Then we must see to it that he fails." " It's cold." " I have bound it to the left-hand path." " Place the charm around Uther's neck." " What will it do to him?" "The force of any healing magic will be reversed and magnified tenfold." "By trying to cure his father, Arthur will seal his fate." "Arthur will never forgive himself." "He'll be destroyed." "And a broken prince will make a terrible king." "I promised Arthur I could heal Uther." "I can't even find the right spell." "That's because you're reading the wrong books." "Here." "Gwillem of Cambria was as mad as a coot, but there was never a better healer." "Gaius, thank you." "It was cold today." "Perhaps it's a good idea to start a fire." "Of course." "Finally, you will get all that you deserve old friend." "You must use only four drops." "Any more could be dangerous." " I just hope I can remember the spell." " You must trust your abilities, Merlin." " Merlin!" " You have to get rid of him." "Merlin!" " Arthur." " Gaius, have you seen my useless toad of a servant?" " I'm afraid not." " Well, where on earth is he?" " Have you tried the tavern?" " The tavern." "Of course." "I am going to make him wish he was never born." "Why'd you tell him I was in the tavern?" "It was the first thing that popped into my head." "Next time, go for the second or third thing that pops into your head." "Anywhere but the tavern." "Good luck, Merlin." " I'd started to think you weren't coming." " I gave you my word." "And here I am." "Good." "We must hurry." "Hey!" "I am led to believe that the king's palace is that way." "I can hardly be seen walking through the main gate with a known sorcerer." "So you are already going back on your word." "You promised that I would no longer have to live in fear." "You're forgetting that you have yet to heal my father." "When you have, I'll give you everything I promised." "Is this really as fast as you can walk?" "When you are as old as I, we will see how fast you can walk." " I need to rest a moment." " There's no time." "Then perhaps you should carry me." "Fine." "If it means we get there quicker, I will carry you." "Come on." "Did you just kick me?" "Now who's wasting time?" "Hyah!" "Unh!" "Hyah!" "Faster." "Faster." "You're dismissed." "But, sire, we were instructed not to leave our post." " And I said you're dismissed." " Yes, my lord." "Wait." "Is something wrong?" "My father has taught me never to trust magic." "Now I'm using it to save him." "Your own life has been saved using magic more times than you can possibly imagine." "What on earth are you talking about?" "I merely mean to say that magic is all around you." "It is woven into the very fabric of the world." "How can I be sure it's the right thing to do?" "I know you have suffered because of magic as many have." "But not all magic and not all sorcerers are the same." "I wish only to show you that magic can be used for good." "I hope one day you will see me in a different light." "Father." "Father." "Arthur." " What's happening?" " I don't know." "Well, do something." "He's dead." "No." "He can't be." "Father." "Father!" "What have you done?" "This was not supposed to happen." "You gave me your word." "You--You have killed him." " You killed him!" " No!" "You'll die for what you've done!" "I'm sorry, Arthur." "The king is dead." "The spell was working." "I'm sure of it." "I'd done everything right." "I don't know what happened." "I think I do." "I found it around Uther's neck." "It's been enchanted." "And such an enchantment would reverse the effects of your healing spell." "Uther didn't stand a chance." "Morgana." "I believe so." "Uther's dead, isn't he?" "How did you know?" "I felt it, felt his pain." "I thought Uther's death would be cause for celebration." "Arthur will replace him." "There'll be no celebration until I take my place upon the throne." "That may be sooner than you think." "Arthur is young, untested." "He will look to his trusted uncle for counsel, and I will ensure that he fails." "I am so sorry." "I should--I sh" "I wish that there was something I could have done." "Merlin, no one but me is to blame for this." "You are not to blame." "This isn't your fault." "I'm entirely to blame." "My father spent 20 years fighting magic." "To think I knew better." "I was so arrogant." "That arrogance cost my father his life." "You were only doing what you thought was right." "That old sorcerer meant no harm." "Perhaps the spell went wrong." "Uther was dying." "Maybe nothing could have saved him." "We'll never know." "All I know for sure is that I've lost both my parents to magic." "It is pure evil." "I'll never lose sight of that again." "We must leave him to mourn." "Merlin?" "This is all my fault." "I killed him." "You did not kill Uther." "Morgana did." "Uther's spirit died when she broke his heart." "We must look to the future." "Uther's death will allow Arthur's progression to the throne." "We must hope it brings peace and stability to the land." "Magic will still be outlawed." "I have turned Arthur against it forever." "He'll never know who I really am." "That time will come." "I'm sure of it." "Arthur will be under even more pressure now that he is king." "He will need you more than ever." "There's nothing more to be done." "Let's go and have some supper." "I think I'll wait here." "Merlin." "It's a new day." "Have you been here all night?" "I didn't want you to feel that you were alone." "You are a loyal friend, Merlin." "You must be hungry." "Starving." "Me too." "Come on." "You can make us some breakfast." "Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the peoples of Camelot according to their respective laws and customs?" "I solemnly swear so to do." "Will you, to your power cause law and justice, in mercy to be executed in all your judgments?" "I will." "Then by the sacred law vested in me I crown you, Arthur, King of Camelot." "Long live the king!" "Long live the king!" "Long live the king!" "Long live the king!" "Long live the king!" "Long live the king!" "Long live the king!" "Long live the king!" "Long live the king!" "Merlin." "Borden is not a man to be trusted." " What do you want?" " To help you." " We both know what he hid there." " A dragon's egg." "Emrys." "You want the egg to remain lost forever." "This is a chance in a thousand, Merlin." "No!"