Merlin

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.

What you are about to do will bring our enemies to their knees.

You didn't see their faces? They had no faces.

What are they?

The Dorocha. They are the voices of the dead, my child.

For the tear to be created, it would require a blood sacrifice.

To seal it will require another.

If laying down my life will spare Camelot, that is what I shall do.

Merlin, no!

We have to get him back to Gaius. And abandon the quest?

He saved my life, I won't let him die. If we don't get to the Isle of the Blessed,

hundreds more will perish.

Let me take him. Carrying a wounded man, alone?

It will take you two, or three days to reach Camelot.

Not if I go through the Valley of the Fallen Kings.

You cannot give up on the quest.

Sire, he's right.

This is my fault and I'm sorry.

Take me with you, please. You'll die, Merlin.

You don't understand. Please, Arthur.

Do you ever do as you're told?

I have to go with you. Merlin...

We need to leave.

Go!

Can you hear that?

Bees? Food.

You trying to get us killed? We're riding to our deaths anyway.

It's good to give the horses a rest.

You're quiet.

That's what happens after three days listening to Gwaine.

You did the right thing, you know.

Merlin couldn't continue with us. I should've saved him.

Ah! Ah! Ooh!

If anyone can get Merlin back to Camelot, Lancelot can.

Lancelot?

Lancelot.

Lancelot.

We bear you no harm.

We wish only to help.

What are you?

We are Vilia.

Spirits of the brooks and streams.

The tear in the veil has upset the balance of the world.

Good spirits as well as bad roam freely.

But this perilous state cannot continue for long.

Prince Arthur is riding to the Isle of the Blessed.

He intends to heal the veil.

He will need help from both of you.

My friend is sick. I need to get him to Camelot.

Merlin is stronger than you give him credit for.

The young warlock has great power

and a future that has been written since the dawn of time.

Do not worry.

Even now, my sisters begin to heal him.

You are tired.

You must rest.

I need to find shelter.

You are safe here.

But the Dorocha...

We will stay with you

and protect you through the night.

By dawn, we'll be on the other side of the mountains.

You can't be serious.

These tunnels are crawling with wildeoren.

The tunnels will take days off our journey.

If we make it out alive. We'll cover ourselves in gaja berries.

Oh, sounds great! It's your choice, Gwaine.

Wildeoren or Dorocha?

I know which I'd rather go for. Me too.

Never knew you cared!

Quick!

Remind me again why we're wearing this disgusting paste.

Wildoeren are completely blind.

They rely totally on their sense of smell.

Gaja berries will mask our scent.

What are the chances of us not seeing a wildoeren?

None.

Shh!

Keep still.

Don't even breathe.

You fool! It's dead.

That one is, yes.

They hunt in packs.

Run!

We need more stretchers and sheets. As many as we can find.

Gaius.

The guards were under orders to shut the gates at dusk. Whose orders? Lord Agravaine's.

Gaius. Have you come to join us?

Why have you closed the city gates?

We have limited resources, Gaius.

As much as I'd like to, we simply can't feed and water the entire kingdom.

Surely the people have a right to be protected.

I would be putting Camelot in danger.

Starvation, disease.

You of all people must understand, Gaius.

The gates will remain shut until we are free

of the evil that plagues us.

Now, gentlemen, where were we? My lords.

May I be granted permission to address the court?

Guinevere?

Prince Arthur taught me long ago

that every citizen of Camelot is important.

He would never stand by and let them suffer.

He would help them if he could and we must do the same.

I feel the pain me as much as you,

but we don't have a choice.

If we keep letting people in,

our food will run out in days. You are wrong.

Perhaps you would enlighten me?

Those outside the gates are landowners, farmers.

For days, they have been bartering their wares

with the townsfolk in return for the safety of their hearths.

They bring with them far more than they take.

But how long before these wares run out?

Three days ago, Prince Arthur embarked on a quest

to rid us of these creatures.

At worst, we have another three before he reaches his goal.

Or do you think he will fail?

Of course not.

Sire, she is right.

Very well.

Re-open the gates.

Merlin? Merlin!?

Shh!

Breakfast?

Merlin, what...?

What are you...? What?

You're meant to be... dying.

Sorry.

Here.

What's that for? Looks like you're going to fall over.

No, not as quick as Arthur. Oh, yeah?

Come on, we need to catch up with the others.

No, you're going back to Camelot.

You might be. Merlin! Say hello to Gaius for me.

Merlin!

Arthur can't finish this without us.

Arthur's right about you.

You don't ever do as you're told..

No.

They need to rest, sire.

Even Gwaine's gone quiet.

Sounds like a good reason to keep going.

My lady?

What news of the mighty Camelot? As we planned.

The city is falling into wrack and ruin. And Arthur?

Last we heard, he had made it past Daelbeth.

Will we never be rid of him? Patience, my lady.

Even if he makes it, the outcome will be the same.

Then what brings you here so early?

Something's wrong.

A minor irritant.

Guinevere. She takes it upon herself to speak out against me.

She's dangerous.

She's a servant. A spirited one perhaps, but a servant nonetheless.

No, you're wrong.

I have dreamt the future, and in it, that "servant" sits upon my throne.

I would rather drown in my own blood than see that day.

Then we must make sure it never comes.

I couldn't agree more.

We must make sure she never sees another dawn.

Where is Arthur?

I am unsure. Where is he?

The Prince is on a hunting trip, sire. When will he be back?

In a few days.

Is there something you need?

Your devotion to the king is most impressive.

There is something I would like to discuss.

I wish to apologise.

Yesterday. I feel I let the prince down.

I'm grateful that you spoke out.

I didn't mean to be discourteous, my lord. Well, you weren't.

Not in the least.

Gwen, if you would permit,

I would be grateful to seek your advice.

You understand the people. I'm not sure, I...

If nothing else, I know that you will be honest with me.

It's not appropriate to talk now.

Perhaps this evening, you could come to my chambers.

Please, Guinevere. These are dark times.

I need help if I am to guide us through them.

Very well.

Thank you.

Is everything all right? Yes.

He wishes to speak with me later. I think he means to seek my counsel.

Hello?

We can't stay here.

There's nowhere else, Merlin.

We'll make a fire.

It will keep us safe and dry.

And there's more than enough fuel to get us through the night.

Here.

Bael onbryne!

I'm not entirely useless, you know.

Halt!

But do the people feel safe?