Original subtitles

[Dragon] 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.

[incanting in ancient language]

[continues incanting]

[dramatic music]

Merlin.

[horses neigh]

[tense music]

Camelot welcomes you, The Lord Bayard of Mercia.

The treaty we sign today

marks an end to war

and a beginning to a new friendship between our people.

[applause]

[low whispering]

[theme music playing]

Why do I always get landed with the donkey work?

You're a servant, Merlin. It's what you do.

My arms'll be a foot longer by the time I get this lot inside.

It's character-building. As the old proverb says,

hard work breeds...

a harder soul.

There is no way that's a proverb. You just made that up.

I didn't.

-Sorry. -That's all right.

-Excuse me. -Let me give you a hand with that.

Hi.

-I'm Merlin. -Kara.

You're Arthur's servant.

That must be such an honor.

Uh, yeah, it is.

Well, someone's got to keep the place running.

Thank you, Merlin.

Hmm?

Oh! Here.

Uh, no problem.

It was nice meeting you.

Shouldn't you be busy running the place?

[Gaius chuckles]

[suspenseful music]

[knob creaks]

[incantation]

[door creaks]

Oh!

When's the last time these were cleaned?

Last year sometime, before the Feast of Beltane.

Did it end in a food fight?

Don't all feasts?

I wouldn't know. the airs and graces of the court

are a mystery to me.

Tonight they won't be.

I'm going to be at the banquet?

Not quite.

You'll be there to make sure my cup doesn't run dry.

If I have to sit through Bayard's boring speeches,

I don't see why you should get out of it.

Be sure to polish the buttons.

Do you want to see what you'll be wearing tonight?

Won't this do?

No.

Tonight you'll be wearing the official ceremonial robes

of the servants of Camelot.

You can't be serious.

[chuckles]

Nice hat.

Thanks.

[whimsical music]

She's pretty, isn't she...

for a handmaiden?

She's pretty for a princess, let alone a handmaiden.

Mmm.

[all applauding]

[Bayard] People of Camelot,

for a great many years we have been mortal enemies.

The blood of our men stains the ground

from the walls of Camelot to the gates of Mercia.

And though we remember those who have died,

we must not allow any more to join them.

As a symbol of our goodwill

and of our newfound friendship,

I present these ceremonial goblets

to you, Uther,

and to your son Arthur

in the hope that our friendship may last.

Merlin? I need to speak to you.

-What is it? -Not here, please.

I don't know who else to tell.

{Bayard} Tonight we toast a new beginning

for our peoples. We look towards a future

free from the toils of war.

It wasn't until I saw him give the goblet to Arthur that I realized--

Whoa whoa, slow down. Start from the beginning.

Two days ago, I was bringing Bayard his evening meal.

I was supposed to knock. He didn't expect me to walk in--

So what are you trying to say?

If he knows I said anything, he will kill me.

I will not let that happen to you; I promise.

Please tell me what you saw.

Bayard is no friend of Camelot.

He craves the kingdom for himself.

Kara--

Tell me, what has Bayard done with the goblet?

He believes that if he kills Arthur,

Uther's spirit will be broken and Camelot will fall.

What has he done with the goblet?

-I saw him putting something in it. -What?

I shouldn't. He'll kill me.

Please tell me!

Is it poison?

[Bayard] And may the differences from our past

remain there.

To your health, Uther...

Arthur...

the Lady Morgana...

the People of Camelot.

And to fallen warriors on both sides.

[Merlin] Stop! It's poison. Don't drink it.

-What? -Merlin, what are you doing?

Bayard laced Arthur's goblet with poison.

This is an outrage!

Order your men to put down their swords.

You're outnumbered.

I will not allow this insult

to go unchallenged.

On what grounds do you base this accusation?

I'll handle this.

Merlin, you idiot,

we've been at the sloe gin again?

Unless you want to be strung up,

you'll tell me why you think it's poisoned now.

-He was seen lacing it. -By whom?

I can't say.

I won't listen to this anymore.

Pass me the goblet.

-If you're telling the truth... -I am.

Then you have nothing to fear, do you?

No, if this does prove to be poisoned,

I want the pleasure of killing you myself.

He'll drink it.

But if it is poisoned, he'll die.

Then we'll know he was telling the truth.

-And what if he lives? -Then you have my apologies,

and you can do with him as you will.

Uther, please, he's just a boy;

He doesn't know what he's saying.

Then you should have schooled him better.

Merlin, apologize.

This is a mistake. I'll drink it.

No no no no. It's all right.

[suspenseful music]

-It's fine. -He's all yours.

[grunting]

It's poisoned. Guards, seize them!

Merlin, do you hear me?

We have to get him back to my chambers.

Bring the goblet. We need to identify the poison.

Lay him on the bed quickly.

He's struggling to breathe.

Gwen, fetch me some water and a towel.

Is he going to be all right?

-He's burning up. -You can heal him, can't you, Gaius?

I won't know until I can identify the poison.

Pass me the goblet.

Ahh. There's something stuck on the inside.

What is it?

Looks like a flower petal of some kind.

-His brow's on fire. -Keep him cool.

It'll help control his fever.

[suspenseful music]

Ahh, the petal comes from the Mortaeus flower.

It says here that someone poisoned by the Mortaeus

can only be saved by a potion

made from the leaf of the very same flower.

It can only be found in the caves deep beneath

the forest of Baloch.

The flower grows on the roots of the Mortaeus tree.

[Arthur] That doesn't look particularly friendly.

[Gaius] A cockatrice-- it guards the forest.

This venom is potent. A single drop would mean a certain death.

"Few who have crossed the mountains of Isgard

in search of the Mortaeus flower have made it back alive."

[dramatic music]

-Sounds like fun. -Arthur, it's too dangerous.

If I don't get the antidote, what happens to Merlin?

The Mortaeus induces a slow and painful death.

He may hold out for four, maybe five days,

but not for much longer.

Eventually he will die.

[intense music]

M'lady, I am so sorry I haven't been here to attend to you.

Don't worry. I'm all right. How's Merlin?

If Arthur comes back with the antidote in time,

-he'll be fine. -Then he'll be fine.

You should be with him.

I'll manage. I know what he means to you.

-Go. -Thank you.

What's the point of having people to taste for you

if you're going to get yourself killed anyway?

I won't fail no matter what you think.

Arthur, you are my only son and heir.

I can't risk losing you for the sake of some serving boy.

-Because his life's worthless? -No, because it's worth less than yours.

-I can save him. Let me take some men. -No.

We'll find the antidote and bring it back.

-No. -Why not?

Because one day I will be dead

and Camelot will need a king.

I'm not going to let you jeopardize the future of this kingdom

over some fool's errand.

It's not a fool's errand. Gaius says that if we can...

Gaius says? That's exactly what makes it so!

Please, father.

He saved my life.

I can't stand by and watch him die.

Then don't look.

This boy won't be the last to die on your behalf.

You're going to be king.

It's something you'll have to get used to.

I can't accept that.

-You're not going! -You can't stop me.

Damn it, Arthur! That's an end to it.

You're not leaving this castle tonight!

Say what you'd like about the food,

but you can't beat our feasts for entertainment.

Morgana, I'm sorry. I should have made sure you were all right.

Disappointed, actually. I was looking forward

to clumping a couple around the head with a ladle.

I'm sure the guards could have handled Bayard and his men.

Yeah. But why let the boys have all the fun?

Morgana, you shouldn't get involved. It's dangerous.

Spare me the lecture. I've already had it from Uther.

If it's any consolation, you weren't the only one.

Not that I listened to him.

Sometimes you've got to do what you think is right

and damn the consequences.

You think I should go.

It doesn't matter what I think.

If I don't make it back, who will be the next king of Camelot?

There's more than just my life at stake.

And what kind of king would Camelot want?

One that would risk his life to save that of a lowly servant

or one who does what his father tells him to?

[dramatic music]

Halt!

Don't--

He's getting hotter.

[moans]

[mumbled incantation]

What language is that?

None. The fever's taken hold.

None of those words are his own.

His pulse is weaker.

[Gwen] What is it?

That can't be right.

The rash is not supposed to appear until the final stage.

What does that mean?

It says here that once a rash appears,

death will follow within two days.

You said he had four days.

Something's increased the flower's potency.

It warns that the effect of the Mortaeus

will be more rapid if an enchantment is used

during the flower's preparation.

Enchantment? But Bayard's no sorcerer.

No, he isn't.

Then who did this?

It can't have been.

She wouldn't dare come here.

-Unless... -Unless what?

-What happened to that girl? -Which girl?

Just before Merlin burst Into the hall,

One of Bayard's serving girls took him outside.

She had dark hair. Very beautiful.

Find her quickly.

[Merlin] Arthur...

[incanting in ancient language]

I expressly ordered Arthur not to go.

-I'd say it worked like a charm too. -Not another word!

My lips are sealed.

I should have put him under lock and key.

You can't chain him up every time he disagrees with you.

Just you watch me.

I will not be disobeyed, especially by my own son.

No, of course you won't.

You knew about this, didn't you?

Morgana?

Don't lie to me.

Arthur's old enough to make decisions for himself.

He's just a boy.

Have you seen your son recently?

You have to let him make his own mind up.

Even if it means letting him go to his death?

[dramatic music]

[muttering]

Let me guess. She wasn't there.

No one has seen her since the banquet.

-Who is she? -Not who she claims to be.

But you know, don't you?

Kara. Though that's not her name. Not her real name anyway.

Then who is she?

A powerful sorceress.

Well, we should tell Uther. Maybe he could send riders out after her.

No, she'll be long gone.

It's impossible to know where, though.

-Oh, no. -What?

She knows the only place an antidote

can be found is the forest of Baloch.

Arthur could be walking into a trap.

[whispers] Arthur.

Arthur. Ahh.

[squawking, wings flapping]

[horse neighs]

[growling]

[incanting]

[suspenseful music]

[sobbing]

[Arthur] Hello?

Are you all right?

-[loud roaring] -Ahh!

[loud roaring]

Stay back.

[growling]

[roaring]

[blade whooshing]

-[sword crashes] -[animal shrieks]

It's all right. I'm not going to hurt you.

Who did that to you?

My master.

I ran away from him but then I got lost.

Please don't leave me.

I won't. I'm not going to.

You can take me away from here?

Not yet.

There's something I have to do first.

[distant squawking]

Why have you come to the caves?

I'm looking for something. It can only be found here.

What is it?

I know this place. I could help you.

It's a type of flower that only grows inside the cave.

-It's very rare. -The Mortaeus flower?

I know where they are.

I'll show you.

[neighs]

[ominous music]

Arthur. It's a trap.

It's a trap.

His fever's getting worse, isn't it?

The poison's setting in.

[incanting]

Shhh.

Could you fetch me some more wolfbane?

Yes, of course.

[door opens]

Merlin? You must fight it.

There they are.

[suspenseful music]

[ground crumbles]

Keep away from the edge.

Don't worry,

we'll be out of here soon.

[incanting softly]

[speaks louder]

-What are you doing? -[incanting]

I expected so much more.

Who are you?

The last face you'll ever see.

[creature rattles]

[Kara] It seems we have a visitor.

[gasps]

[creature hisses]

-[hisses] -[grunts]

-Ahhh! -[shrieking]

Very good.

-[grunts] -But he won't be the last.

I'll let his friends finish you off, Arthur Pendragon.

It's not your destiny to die at my hand.

Who are you?

Arthur.

It's too dark.

Too dark.

[incanting]

Merlin?

What are you doing?

Come on then! What are you waiting for?

Finish me off!

[grunts]

[dramatic music]

Leave them, Arthur.

[hissing]

[Merlin] Go. Save yourself.

Follow the light.

[Arthur panting]

[dramatic music]

[gasping]

[tense music]

Faster.

Go faster.

Follow the light!

[uplifting music]

Move. Climb.

[straining]

[tense music]

[grunts]

[sword rasps]

[gasping]

Inform the king! Arthur has returned to Camelot.

What are you doing? Let me pass.

I'm sorry sire. You're under arrest.

By order of the king.

-You disobeyed me. -Of course I did.

A man's life is at stake.

Do not let Merlin die because of something I did.

Why do you care so much? The boy's just a servant.

He knew the danger he was putting himself in;

He knew what would happen if he drank from that goblet

but he did it anyway. He saved my life.

There's more.

There was a woman at the mountain.

She knew I was there for the flower.

I don't think it was Bayard

who tried to poison me.

Of course it was.

Gaius knows what to do with it.

Put me in the stocks for a week, a month even.

I don't care. Just make sure it gets to him.

I'm begging you.

No!

You have to learn there's a right

and a wrong way of doing things.

I'll see you're let out in a week.

Then you can find yourself another servant.

[gate rattles]

[panting]

[door opens]

He hasn't got much longer. Has Arthur got the flower?

I don't know. Uther won't allow anyone to see him.

[gasps]

Is there nothing we can do to help?

Only the leaf of the Mortaeus flower can save him.

Then we have to find out if Arthur has it.

I could sneak into the dungeon.

-That would be very dangerous. -I've got to.

Merlin will die if I don't.

[gasping]

Be careful.

Food for the prisoner.

[keys rattling]

Set it down over there.

Thank you.

Wait a minute.

I couldn't possibly eat this; it's disgusting.

The state it's in, I'm not sure it's fit for anyone.

[keys rattling]

You. Wait!

Waste not, want not, eh?

We're not all as precious as her Royal Highness.

[tense music]

-Food for Prince Arthur. -Stay where you are!

-[footsteps approach] -[door opens]

-How is he? -Have you got the Mortaeus?

-Here. -His breathing is much worse.

We have to hurry.

Why have you stopped?

The poison was created using magic.

We may need magic to make an antidote.

But we can't. It's forbidden,

even if we could.

I'll try and make it work without.

Oh, I need some fresh water.

[incants]

[incanting]

[potion hissing]

Thank you.

Hold his nose.

Swallow, Merlin.

Swallow it.

[Gwen] He's stopped breathing.

-What's happening? -[church bells dinging]

Gaius?

His heart has stopped.

He's dead?

He can't be.

It can't be.

It was his destiny.

It's my fault.

If I'd have got here sooner--

If I'd have been quicker--

No no.

It was me.

I should have looked after him better.

It's my fault.

That's disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself.

You're old enough to be her grandfather.

Merlin! You're alive.

No, I'm a ghost come back to haunt you.

I'm sorry, I'm just--

-I thought you were dead. -It's fine.

It's more than fine.

Eh, what happened?

The last thing I remember is drinking the wine.

Sire, forgive the interruption,

but may I speak with you?

-Not now. -Your Highness,

it is important.

Word of Bayard's arrest has got back to Mercia.

We're about to be attacked.

I fear that what I have to tell you may have some bearing on your plans.

Please, it will only take a moment.

I know who tried to poison Arthur.

So do I. He's locked in my dungeons.

It wasn't Bayard. The poison was magical.

And I'd recognize the hand that made it anywhere...

Nimueh.

-You must be mistaken. -I wish I was.

It can't have been. We'd know her.

Her witch's face is not easily forgotten.

She's a powerful sorceress.

She can enchant the eye that beholds her.

We never knew it was her.

Have you any proof?

The poison used against Merlin was made more potent

by the use of magic.

You're saying that she conspired with Bayard to kill Arthur?

No, Bayard is innocent.

Look at what's happening. This is what she's wanted all along--

a war to bring strife and misery to Camelot.

How long before Bayard's armies reach our walls?

A day. Maybe less.

We should send our cavalry out to meet them.

Instruct your men not to leave Camelot until I give the word.

Sire.

You are making the right decision, sire.

Do you think Arthur should be told the truth about Nimueh?

Ok, let the bragging begin.

How'd you manage it?

I'm not sure.

All I do know is I had help.

Someone knew I was in trouble and...

sent a light to guide the way.

Who?

I don't know.

But whoever it was,

I'm only here because of them.

I'm glad you're back.

Arthur.

The woman you met in the forest,

What did she tell you?

Not much.

She was too busy trying to get me killed.

It was strange, though.

In what way?

I was at her mercy.

She could have finished me off, but she chose not to.

She said it wasn't my destiny to die at her hand.

You must have been scared.

It had its moments.

Those who practice magic know only evil.

They despise and seek to destroy goodness wherever they find it,

which is why she wanted you dead.

She is evil.

Sounds as if you know her.

I do.

To know the heart of one sorcerer is to know them all.

You did the right thing,

even though you were disobeying me.

I'm proud of you, Arthur.

Never forget that.

Still alive then?

Oh, yes, just about.

I understand I have you to thank for that.

Yeah, well, it was nothing.

A half-decent servant is hard to come by.

I was only dropping by to make sure you're all right.

Check you would be back to work tomorrow.

Oh, yeah yeah, of course. Uh, bright and early.

Arthur.

Thank you.

You too.

Get some rest.

Arthur may give you a hard time,

but at heart, he's a man of honor.

There aren't many who'd have risked what he did for a servant.

It all would have been for nothing

if you didn't know how to make the antidote.

Eat your dinner.

I still don't understand

why she went to all the trouble of framing Bayard.

She could have just kept quiet and killed Arthur.

Destroying Arthur and Camelot wasn't all she was after.

She knew you would be forced to drink that wine.

It was you she wanted to kill.

Seems someone else knows you're destined for great things, Merlin.

[suspenseful music]

[Arthur] I owe Lancelot my life.

I'm paying for that debt the only way I can.

It's my life's ambition

to join the knights of Camelot.

Arise Sir Lancelot.

-I should not return. -Don't go Lancelot.

-[screeching] -[horse neighing]

-Okay Merlin, it's now or never. -[screeches]

[closing theme music]