Original subtitles

Before the eyes of the Gods,

I anoint you Dumnonia's ruler and Britain's defender!

I will try to bring peace to this isle,

but I will do it my way.

You told me once you wanted to serve me.

- Yes. - Then that settles it.

- You're to be my man. - You won't regret it.

We can't submit to Dumnonia.

There will be no submission.

You have a daughter.

Let us be joined in marriage.

An alliance. Blood of each other's blood.

An attack on any one of us is an attack on us all.

Why is he doing this?

He believes it's right for Britain.

Yeah, but is it right for him?

My daughter is everything to me now.

I won't let her down.

- Who are you? - This is Lady Guinevere

of Henis Wyren.

Ah, what is this?

- Oats and water. - Oats and water?

That's disgusting.

How long are we staying here for?

King Gorfydd's druid

says the moon will be full in three days.

Then we can take

the beautiful Princess Ceinwyn back to Caer Cadarn

and give us some proper food.

Arthur, we need to hurry.

King Gorfydd's waiting for us.

Derfel.

Go to the gardens here.

If they have any hawberries, pick some.

Is one of the horses lame?

Make it into an ointment.

How many languages do you speak, Arthur?

British tongue.

A bit of Gallic. That's all.

I suppose Uther never educated you.

Greek and Latin writers are great thinkers.

My son Cuneglas is abroad at the moment.

He sent this to me.

A guide on how a man should lead his life.

And these...

are the letters of St. Patrick I spoke of, Bishop.

Ah.

What?

I didn't expect this of you.

What, an interest in foreign cultures,

or toleration of Christianity?

Both.

I have many artefacts from all over the world. Look.

Come.

This depicts animals that hunt far from our shores. See?

And these I'm particularly proud of, from Britain itself.

Gold, from Strathcloda.

Can you see the seams?

Mm.

Ah, this, from Corinium.

Our isle has many gifts to offer us.

I'd like to know more about Britain.

Merlin taught me a great deal, of course, but--

There's always more to learn.

I shall enjoy teaching you, Arthur.

Uther was a fool not to see your potential.

But that's enough history for one day.

Now, Bishop, stay, read to your heart's content.

We have wedding matters to discuss.

Derfel, right?

What do you want?

The exchange of the lovers' rings

will take place at the great hall.

My druid will then pronounce you married under the full moon.

After, you and Ceinwyn will be brought here.

My wife Nesta and I consummated our marriage in this chamber.

We were blessed with conceiving Cuneglas

on the first night of our loving.

Hmm.

If you wish, you may place your fertility offerings here.

Whatever works for you both.

Princess Ceinwyn, how are you this morning?

Well, my Lord.

And you?

I'm very well.

How bright you shone last night.

You certainly lived up to your name.

The Star of Powys.

Why do they call you the Star of Powys?

Suits you very well, of course.

My mother.

It was her name for me.

Sorry to hear of her passing.

I miss her always.

She took her last breath in my arms.

I lost my mother, too.

Whatever age it happens...

it's hard.

You found them.

They were growing down by the stream.

I almost fell in.

My King. Lord.

Lady Guinevere, always a story to tell, eh?

I could hardly get up this morning,

but Guinevere was awake at dawn.

I know, she's a torrent of energy!

What will we do without her?

You're leaving?

She's coming with us.

To Caer Cadarn?

It's still to be discussed.

We shall leave you to your tasks.

See you later tonight for the feast.

I have some ointment for your horse.

I'll bring it to the stables.

So, Guinevere's done it again.

No need to hide it.

When it comes to Guinevere, a fair few of these men

have lost their heart to her.

And I don't know what else besides.

Even I've been victim to her charms.

'Course I knew she didn't want me,

she wanted her lands back and thought I could help her.

Why is she so close to the princess

if you have a low opinion of her?

Because she loves Ceinwyn like a sister.

And she amuses me.

Wulfric!

Wulfric!

Wulfric!

There you are.

I am not sure how bad Llamrei's leg really is.

Although...

now you've made the ointment, I suppose...

it's worth going to the stables and checking.

There you are, my Lord.

Is everything well?

Derfel?

It's Gundleus.

I know how difficult it must be

being in his presence.

- What he did to Nimue-- - There's more.

It was him.

That night.

Gundleus took my mother.

He threw you in that death pit?

I'll never forget his face.

He was the last person that I saw.

Before you found me.

How long have you known?

Since the bastard came to Caer Cadarn.

And you stayed away from him all this time.

Derfel, I'm very proud of you.

When you took Gundleus prisoner,

you stopped me from killing him.

I saw that things could be done...

in a different way.

Restraint.

What we all strive for.

Sometimes it's hard though.

Believe me, I know.

Take that to the stables for me.

There's a white horse there.

If his mistress is there...

Just take it, please.

You're Arthur's man.

An ointment for your horse, from my lord.

Kind of him.

But tell your lord neither I nor my horse need his charity.

Do you like him?

Who?

Arthur.

I barely know him.

Well, I like him.

He's better than Gundleus,

or all those other men that Father was considering for me.

Let's not think of them. Especially Gundleus.

I feel a kindness in him.

This marriage might just work.

Guinevere?

Yes?

Will it... hurt?

He'll be kind to you.

St. Patrick's letters are extraordinary.

And the fact that King Gorfydd has them...

You--you think God is calling the King, Bedwin?

I've heard an abbot's running a monastery

outside Ratae, converting by the hundreds.

'The kingdom of God has come near.

Repent and believe the good news.' I told you.

Ratae is on their eastern border.

They're staring Saxon invasion in the face.

Could be that Gorfydd's allowing Christianity

to keep up the courage of the people.

- But still... - But still.

God is calling Powys. He's calling Powys.

- Tread lightly. - Of course.

Of course.

Our kitchen has been busy preparing

all the delicacies of Powys.

You look very beautiful tonight.

Thank you.

Which of your men is without a wife, Arthur?

Most of them. Why?

Lady Guinevere needs a husband if she's to travel south.

Father, don't tease Guinevere.

I haven't said I'll go yet.

I'm not sure I can wrench myself

away from you, King Gorfydd.

She has no dowry.

But as you see, her wits are on offer,

amongst other assets.

Any man would be proud

to make you his wife, Lady Guinevere.

What's your name, Lord?

Hear that? She called me a lord.

Lanval.

And I am no lord. I am just a man.

Just a man is fine by me.

I hope the bastard chokes.

All this for him.

Why doesn't my uncle see his ambition?

Calm yourself.

This is good for us.

Arthur is good for us.

He locked us up.

Then he let us go.

Now look at him.

Sitting next to Gorfydd as if he's his firstborn son.

This way you no longer have to marry Ceinwyn;

you can marry me.

We'll be King and Queen of Siluria,

protected by Arthur's new peace

and included in his alliance.

There's a new order brewing...

and we must be a part of it.

It's wonderful to see the hall full again.

So many strangers becoming friends.

Mm.

What about us?

Are we leading by example?

Well, the deal's done on us, my Lord.

How very business-minded of you.

And talking of business,

Guinevere does need a husband.

Is your man suitable?

Perhaps.

What is Lady Guinevere looking for?

She doesn't think she wants to be married.

She doesn't really have to be.

But if she found the right person--

independent-minded...

generous-spirited...

her equal.

Not so easy to find.

Let's go and talk to them.

I know what I'm going to do.

I'm going to ask Arthur, because he will know.

- It's true. - No, I don't believe you.

My Lord, Lady Guinevere tells me that

this is made of seaweed.

Laverbread. Of course it is.

- Shall I eat it? - Ask your lord.

I for one think it's important not to

shy away from new experiences.

It depends what the repercussions are.

Indecision is so unattractive.

Could be seen as self-control.

Or cowardice.

Well, a coward I am not.

So, even though it looks like

a horse made a in my hand,

here goes, eh?

Oh.

All right. Not bad.

You see? In my opinion,

you rarely regret the actions you take.

Just the ones you don't.

What is your quarrel with me?

No quarrel.

My lord is here in peace. So am I.

Avalon's forgotten then?

No. Not forgotten,

just not for now.

I have to ask you something.

Where did you get that knife from?

King Gundleus gave it to me.

It was my mother's.

It can't be.

Gundleus pillaged a Dumnonian settlement

eight summers ago.

He took a Saxon slave, my mother,

and that is the knife that she fed me with.

It is mine by right.

I don't believe you.

How would you have survived?

Gundleus threw me into a death pit,

but I lived.

That's not possible.

Take it...

if it is yours.

I hope it works. It does on my horse.

I thought I might as well put it on, as you made it.

I didn't make it.

My man Derfel did.

Sorry I never came.

Why didn't you?

Normally I make a decision, I follow it through.

But this...

One moment I want to be with you, the next I don't.

Then when I see you...

I can't stop looking at you.

I hear you're coming to Caer Cadarn

and I am exploding with joy...

Then I think of Ceinwyn.

Do you want to come to Caer Cadarn?

I can't think of anything worse.

Why?

Tell me.

I love Ceinwyn.

But she always, always gets what I want.

No!

We're betraying Ceinwyn.

I don't care.

Gorfydd will.

That's not just a truth, Arthur, it's a warning.

What do you mean?

We mustn't meet again.

It's tradition, isn't it, in Powys...

to keep a lock of your lover's hair?

You wanted to see me, Father.

The moon will shine bright and strong tomorrow night.

A good omen for resources and status.

Now, what about your cycle? When was your last bleed?

Twelve days ago.

You could leave Powys with a child in your belly.

A girl would be nice. Granddaughter for you.

Pray for a boy.

Why does it matter?

Any children Arthur and I have won't be direct heirs.

Mordred's already king of Dumnonia.

The High King is unlikely to live long.

He's a cripple, weak.

It's just his foot. Arthur says--

Oh, Arthur says?

It's like that, is it? Can't stop saying his name?

You will make Arthur a happy man too,

if you give him a son.

Now, go.

What about Arthur making me happy?

Every wife deserves that.

Where is it you get these ideas?

I watched my mother and you.

My little kitten bearing her claws.

I wish you much joy in your marriage.

I wanna speak to you, Uncle. Lady.

Disappointed she won't be yours?

She was promised to me, by you.

Oh, hardly promised.

You were just one of many possible husbands.

It's certainly out of the question now, isn't it?

Haven't you heard your whispered name?

"Queen Killer."

I raided Avalon, for us, on your instructions.

There's a difference between a raid and a massacre!

You said kill the baby!

I said take the baby!

And as for murdering Norwenna,

and raping the druidess...

I think we should see less of each other.

Now, why don't you marry that woman of yours

and return to Siluria?

Oh, I will. I will, Uncle. I intend to.

But I want to marry Ladwys under the same full moon

as my cousin Ceinwyn and Arthur Ap Neb,

here, in Caer Dolforwyn.

Yes.

This is what I've always liked about you,

is your sense of humor!

It's my right, and hers!

Ladwys was kept prisoner by that bastard Arthur,

and she suffered. She suffered.

That's what mistresses do,

they suffer for their masters!

And I killed for you. I butchered for you.

For what?!

Why don't you go now?

Go back to Siluria, go on. Indulge yourself.

Go on. Rut, maim, kill whoever you want!

But do it within your own borders!

Don't feel the need to bother me with it!

Nothing.

It was all for nothing.

Your uncle won't see us married here?

He doesn't see me at all!

I've shed an ocean of blood for him.

Him and his promises.

So, we go back to Siluria. Get married there.

The omens aren't good here anyway.

What do you mean? What omens?

Arthur's man Derfel survived a death pit.

Your death pit.

He told me.

He tried to show me his scar.

The Saxon cur, I should've killed him.

He holds your life in his hands.

Not if I kill him first.

Gundleus!

You know what the Gods say.

If you approach him, or even look at him,

he could kill you in a glance.

I remember...

when your mother died, I was there.

Your father cried as he took that ring from her finger.

Even though he abandoned her...

he did care for her.

Very much.

But he never married her.

It doesn't matter.

You're the man of the church

and you're saying it doesn't matter?

Kings have mistresses. It's the way of things.

I'm so tired of hearing those words.

A man should be able to marry the person that he wants,

whether he a king or a beggar,

she a queen or a slave.

What's troubling you, Arthur?

Will you talk to me?

I think we should halt the wedding.

Ceinwyn is too young.

She is a sweet girl, but...

I don't love her.

Well...

this isn't about love.

This is about the alliance, which was your idea.

I was arrogant and naive

to think I could bring the countries together.

You were inspired!

Powys holds sway over Siluria and Elmet,

you over Kernow and Gwent.

Ceinwyn wants a man who gives himself to her.

Body and soul.

Has she said that to you?

I can see it in her eyes...

the way she looks at me.

You will treat her with respect and kindness,

which is more than she could ever have hoped for.

It is not enough.

For her,

or for me.

With Powys by your side,

you can harry the Saxons from this land!

You can prove your doubters wrong.

Stand proud as Arthur Ap Neb...

and achieve more than your father ever did.

I can defeat the Saxons without this wedding.

Gorfydd wants peace, too.

He wants this alliance because he loves Britain.

Perhaps.

But no man likes his daughter to be humiliated.

Don't do this, Arthur. I beg of you.

We offer this dance as tribute to Belisima.

And may her rays shine clear tomorrow,

and light up Arthur and Ceinwyn

as they exchange their lovers rings!

Choose your partner.

Lady Guinevere.

My king's displeased.

Why?

Because of Ceinwyn.

She's growing a backbone,

at the wrong moment,

talking back at me,

challenging me.

Is this your doing?

She's just happy.

None of this nonsense about you staying.

You will go with her to Caer Cadarn.

I don't want to leave you.

You'll be more use there.

We'll find a way for you to get news to me discreetly.

And get close to the Edling King.

I'm not good with babies.

Learn.

Princess Ceinwyn, Arthur.

Aren't you going to dance?

I'm really not a very good dancer.

Doesn't matter.

I'll guide you.

Take wine with me, Bishop.

Lady Guinevere, would you like to dance?

Oui?

Princes Ceinwyn.

Would you like to dance?

You're a beautiful dancer, Princess Ceinwyn.

Come, dance with me.

You said you were no dancer.

You seemed to be enjoying yourself very much.

Where are you going?

I need some fresh air.

Has she upset you?

Arthur doesn't know how to dance.

I asked Guinevere to show him.

What did she say to you?

She knows.

I'll go after her.

Let me deal with this.

Once Arthur and I are married...

and only once...

I will share him with you.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, he shall lay with me.

- Ceinwyn, I-- - Please.

Please, will you just listen to me?

On Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays,

you can have him.

You see?

I've worked it all out.

And you agree, don't you?

It will never happen again.

Don't lie.

Whatever you do, don't lie to me!

Be Arthur's mistress.

Please.

Please.

Be true to me.

I can't be his mistress.

I don't understand.

I will never be anyone's mistress.

And nor should you ever accept this compromise,

this half existence.

Second place, Ceinwyn...

is a living death.

The full moon will shine soon enough.

For Arthur and I?

For you.

Ceinwyn didn't come back to the dance?

I don't believe so.

Mm.

Preparing herself. Tomorrow is a big day.

Mm.

Arthur.

May I speak with you?

Derfel, you'll guard me tonight.

Where are we going?

Merlin's always told me the Gods have a plan for us.

I've never believed him. Have you?

Don't know.

This Guinevere...

It's as if...

we fit.

Don't let anybody past you.

You're right.

She knows.

Then we can't go through with this wedding.

I told her she must.

I love you.

You love me, don't you?

- Even if I did, I-- - Do you?

It doesn't matter.

It matters to me.

So, what? I go to Caer Cadarn, become your mistress?

I never asked you to be that.

That's the inevitable result.

Do your duty and marry Ceinwyn.

Good.

Now you're mine, boy.

No, you are mine!

Enough!

You tried to kill Derfel once, when he was just a child.

You've tried again, and you've failed.

You choose a Saxon over me?

You'll regret this.

The both of you will regret this.

May I come in?

When I proposed this marriage,

I didn't think of the person at the center of it,

of you.

I thought only of the peace.

You deserve the full heart of a man.

You are beautiful, you are sweet.

You seem to think of me as a pretty little princess...

- a plaything. - No.

You may have been a better looking prospect

than I'd envisioned,

but you haven't broken my heart, Arthur.

I'll tell your father

that I cannot go through with this marriage.

Don't.

You'll not leave Powys alive if you do.

Surely...

he wouldn't want you to be unhappy.

My mother tried to leave him.

Once.

She died soon after.

An illness took her suddenly.

But I've always believed...

he killed her.

Leave.

- As quickly as you can. - I won't run away.

It is my duty to explain.

He may not kill you,

but he will kill Guinevere.

He's beginning to work out what's happening.

My father's clever and cunning.

I'm not doing this for you.

I'm doing it for Guinevere.

What will you say to him?

Doesn't matter.

Go.

And take her with you.

He can't have murdered his wife.

He's talked about her so lovingly,

and he's been civil and welcoming to us.

I believe the princess.

We do not have time to argue.

What is this woman Guinevere to you?

What's happening? Rushed from my chamber

in the middle of the night.

You'd better have a good reason.

Your life is in danger.

I will explain, but not now. We have to go.

We'll let the horses rest here!

Arthur.

I'm not coming with you any further.

What do you mean?

I've been thinking it through.

I'm going to Ratae.

Abbot Ninian will welcome me at the monastery.

From there, I can...

try and salvage some kind of peace deal with Gorfydd.

You could do that from Caer Cadarn.

I need some time away from Dumnonia.

Pelleas. You'll travel with the bishop.

May the Lord forgive you both for what you've done.

Come on.

I should go too.

You insist that I come with you

and now everyone assumes the worst.

What have we actually done except kiss in a stable?

I could've managed Gorfydd.

Not according to Ceinwyn.

She's making a mountain out of nothing.

Queen Eachern was a friend of my mother's.

She'll take me in.

Marry me.

What?

Marry me.

You're right.

Gorfydd won't forgive you, and as my wife,

you will have my protection.

I don't need your protection, Arthur.

You will not be my mistress.

Although, to give me some credit,

I never asked you to be.

We have no alternative except to part,

and I won't lose you.

I've only just found you. Marry me.

I have no dowry, no lands.

I have nothing to give.

You have yourself.

I won't be the reason why the peace of Britain falters.

I will mend the peace.

I've fended for myself for years.

I'm not sure I'll be a good wife.

I don't want a good wife.

I want you.

Say yes.

By the stars, Guinevere--

Yes.

Then yes.

Marry us! Here, now.

Arthur, if Gorfydd has chosen to follow us,

he won't be more than an hour behind.

So, we must hurry then.

But a Christian service.

You must enter Dumnonia as my wife.

Everyone will have to accept you then.

And the Christians believe in the power

and the sanctity of marriage, don't they, Sansum?

"I have found the one whom my soul loves," my Lord.

But I cannot marry you.

I'm not a Bishop.

I don't have a church, my Lord.

Well, we can fix that.

When we get to Dumnonia, I will give you one.

My Lord, my Lady, let God be praised.

Where are you going?

Siluria.

Ladwys is to be my wife. Remember?

Oh, so we will have a marriage after all.

You didn't permit us to exchange our lovers' rings

at Caer Dolforwyn.

Were you with Gundleus when he took Avalon?

I was.

So, you enjoy killing?

Oh, I do.

Will you be as obedient a war dog as him?

I am no one's dog.

Arthur has run away with Guinevere.

You will remain here.

There's work to be done.

My Lord.

Now from your sins you are free,

and in good conscience, my Lady,

received together into the family of the Holy Church.

Amen.

I bear witness to this union.

And I bear witness.

I bear witness to this union.