Merlin

In a land of myth and a time of magic,

the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy.

His name - Merlin.

Check for survivors.

Seems their attackers headed north.

Come on.

Do you think we should be going after them?

You are such a girl's petticoat.

Sire, how many more men are you going to lose in this quest?

As many as it takes.

I need to speak to you as a friend. I have no time for friends.

Then I'll speak to you as your physician.

This is madness.

She has been missing for more than a year now.

When are you going to stop?

When Morgana is found.

BIRDS CAW Ow...

Is there something wrong with you?

Yeah, I've been on a horse all day.

Is your little bottom sore?

Yes. It's not as fat as yours.

You know, you've got a lot of nerve...for a wimp.

I may be a wimp, but at least I'm not a dollop-head.

There's no such word. It's idiomatic.

It's what?!

You need to be more in touch with the people. Describe dollop-head.

In two words? Yeah.

Er...Prince Arthur.

AN ARROW FIRES

MEN ROAR AND SHOUT

On me!

Ecg geteoh ping to!

We're not playing hide and seek, Merlin.

Dollop-head.

A BIRD'S WINGS FLAP

Morgana.

You need to rest.

I'll stay with her.

Call me when she wakes, Guinevere.

How is she? She'll be fine.

There's nothing wrong with her?

Nothing physical.

May I see her?

Best wait till morning.

Yes. Of course.

Gaius?

Thank you.

DOOR OPENS

Did you talk to her? She's sleeping.

Did she say anything about me? Nothing as yet.

Well, she's going to.

Does she know your secret, Merlin?

Does she know you have magic?

No, she doesn't. No-one does.

Good. Because if Uther finds out...

She knows I tried to poison her. She knows that. You had no choice.

Camelot was dying. Morgana was the source of the enchantment.

Either you poisoned her or the kingdom fell.

Uther won't know that. All she'll say is I tried to kill her.

We can't be sure, Merlin.

What do you think Uther will do to me?

Let's just wait and see what tomorrow brings.

Merlin.

Arthur's requested your presence...

..in Morgana's chambers.

I was kept in a cell for almost a year.

I thought I'd go mad.

How did you escape?

They moved me about a week ago. I don't know why.

It may have been the patrol from Camelot.

The patrol found you?

I thought I was going to be free.

But then I saw them killed.

Every one of them cut down.

But that night the bandits were distracted by their spoils.

I took my chance.

When I saw you, I couldn't believe it.

SHE SOBS

I think I need to rest.

Everything's going to be all right. You're safe now.

Merlin?

I want to speak to you.

I know what you did.

You tried to poison me.

I...I didn't want to.

It's all right, Merlin. I understand.

You were just trying to protect your friends. I would've done the same. Really?

I was so naive, Merlin.

I don't think I really understood what I was doing.

But, believe me,

I have seen the evils in this world.

I have seen first-hand what it is that Uther fights against.

You don't know how much I regret everything that I've done.

I just...

hope that you can forgive me.

I am so sorry for everything you've been through.

It's good to have you back.

What are you looking so happy about?

The sun is shining, we've found Morgana,

and I've just finished all my chores.

Hmm.

Do you have to go in there right now? Why?

I just washed the floor.

Don't worry. I won't slip over.

You really have no idea, do you? All you have to do is wipe it.

How would you know? I beg your pardon, Merlin.

It's just you've never had to do it.

Oh, I know how to use a cloth and bucket.

Oh, yeah.

It's easy. Here. Let me show you.

Hmm?

Hmm!

HUMS TO HIMSELF

HE HUMS

Mmmm.

Would you like me to show you how to use the bucket? No.

The grain stores are running low, but we're expecting supplies

from the northern borders before the end of the week. That's enough.

Leave us.

You should sit. No, no. That's all I've done for the past year - sit...

and pray that you hadn't given up on me.

Oh, never. I don't know why. I wouldn't blame you.

You've done more for me than any guardian.

You've always cared for me, loved me like I was your own daughter.

And yet I've insulted you, defied you, hurt you.

I don't know why you put up with me.

And I promise that in the future I will show you the love and respect that you deserve.

I will leave you to your counsel.

My sister.

How have you fared? Camelot has welcomed back its daughter with open arms.

Uther does not suspect?

He laps up my lies like the snivelling dog he is.

And the boy?

Merlin.

He believes I've changed.

And he's right.

Soon he will see exactly how much.

You've done well.

The tears of Uther Pendragon have only begun to fall.

PIERCING SCREAM

The mandrake root is very special.

Only those with magic can hear its cries.

But for those without magic,

the mandrake pierces the very recesses of the soul -

twisting the unconscious into the very image of fear and dread.

Uther Pendragon will find that his great kingdom

counts for nothing when he has lost his mind.

Mid paem wundorcraeft paes ealdan aew ic pe hate niman

Utheres wopdropa ond pa gemengan mid his blode.

Sy he undewittig ond deofolseocnes his heortan afylle.

How is Morgana? She seems to have made a remarkable recovery, my lord.

She was always like that as a child. Very brave.

She inherited much from her father. Gorlois was a great man.

Indeed. I trust she will be well enough to attend the feast?

I see no reason why not. Thank you, Gaius.

Let's change weapons.

What do you think?

I've seen better.

Of course. Well, you are the expert at fighting with your eyes closed.

You didn't see what I did when we rescued Morgana.

Because you were hiding behind a tree. No, I was not.

I'm not going to use a blindfold. I'm just going to fight like Merlin here.

HE WHIMPERS

"I'm Merlin, don't hurt me." LAUGHTER

"Don't hurt me!"

Ready?

HE GROANS

ARTHUR COUGHS AND SPITS

Standing here, seeing so many happy faces,

it seems almost like a dream.

I can tell you I have not felt like this in a long time.

What, drunk?

Drunk with happiness. I would've searched the entire world -

the seas, skies, stars...

for that smile.

To have it stolen from me was like a blade to my heart.

Morgana, there are no words.

You mean more to me than you will ever know.

To the Lady Morgana. The Lady Morgana!

Oh...I need some air.

Who is that?

Arthur?

HE LAUGHS

SCREAMING

Oh!

HE CRIES OUT

Please!

AH!