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.
Morgana.
You don't know how much I regret everything that I've done.
The mandrake pierces the very recesses of the soul,
twisting the unconscious into the very image of fear and dread.
Camelot is weaker than it's been for years.
Assault on Camelot cannot be undertaken lightly.
You forget, we have an ally in the court.
So you believe we have a traitor in Camelot?
Merlin suspects me.
Well, then we must stop him.
When Cenred marches on Camelot,
he will find a kingdom without a leader.
I didn't think you'd answer my call.
Merlin.
I could not resist a Dragonlord,
even if I wanted to.
I'm grateful. Thank you.
Lie still.
The Serket's poison is powerful.
I have given you an enchantment that will help you heal.
But it will take time.
Where is that half-wit?
Merlin?
I've got no socks, no breeches and an archery session to go to.
Merlin!
I thought he was with you, sire.
Don't try to cover for him!
He didn't come home last night,
I can't find him.
Well, when you do,
you can tell him he's the target.
You shouldn't have let me sleep.
I had no choice, young warlock.
The venom was too strong,
even for your great powers.
I don't have time, I need to get back to Camelot.
The Kingdom is in danger and...
..it's my fault.
I should have listened to you.
I should never have trusted Morgana.
You did what you felt was right.
And that shows great courage.
But trust is a double-edged sword.
I thought, because she has magic,
I thought...we were the same.
In some ways, you are.
No.
I will never be like her.
You have learnt an important lesson, Merlin.
Your determination to see goodness in people
will be your undoing.
But I fear that your futures
are now joined forever.
She is the darkness to your light,
the hatred to your love.
I need to get back to Camelot.
You're not yet fully recovered, Merlin
and it's more than three days walk.
I've no intention of walking.
This is as far as I go.
Thank you.
I won't forget this.
Be careful, young warlock.
The great battle for Camelot has begun.
You must be strong,
for Arthur's destiny
and the future of Albion lie in your hands.
ie in your hands.
You need to wake up.
Melin?
Where've you been?
I don't have time to explain.
Are you all right?
Morgana is in league with Morgause, she's plotting against Uther.
what?
She's responsible for his visions. Come on, hurry up.
There's something I need to show you.
Uther.
Please!
It was an enchantment, sire.
You need to rest.
Please drink this, sire.
It will help you to sleep.
We must tell Uther what Morgana has done.
Are you mad?
He'd have both our heads if we made such accusations,
he'd look on it as treason.
We can't let her get away with it!
He dotes on her every word, Merlin.
But, if he knew...
You've seen how blind he is to her faults.
Besides, the root is gone now.
It can do no more harm.
No, you don't understand.
I heard Morgana and Morgause.
There's more to their plan, I'm sure of it.
What happened?!
What happened?
I've had to make do without a servant,
that's what happened!
I wasn't gone for that long!
Without my permission.
What if I was dying?
I wouldn't be complaining.
But you're not. So where've you been?
I was dying.
I don't have time for this!
The future of the kingdom rests upon my shoulders.
Do you have any idea what that feels like?
- Well... - Merlin!
I should have you thrown in the dungeons,
so what have you got to say for yourself?
You've not had your breakfast this morning, have you?
I'll have you for breakfast!
It's no wonder this place is a mess.
Oh, yes. I can see you've got all the makings of a great king!
May I clear away the dishes, my lady?
Morgana?
I was thinking about what to wear.
I must dress.
Have you lost something, my lady?
My earring.
I thought I might have dropped it while I was in here yesterday.
How is he?
Much better.
We found the source of his sickness.
He was being enchanted.
Enchanted?
You need not worry, my lady.
He'll make a full recovery.
That is a relief.
Indeed, my lady.
I don't know how you managed to escape
but I do know one thing. If you breathe a word of what you saw,
I will make your life a very short and painful one.
Just think how Uther would react
if he learnt that a serving boy
had tried to poison his beloved ward.
I estimate they will reach the city within two days.
Under whose banner do they march?
Cenred's, sire.
We knew he was amassing an army...
How many men?
20,000, maybe more.
I fear that news of the king's illness
has spread beyond our borders.
Cenred sees an opportunity.
We must find a way to appease him.
My father wouldn't bow to our enemies.
Forgive me, sire.
We are outnumbered two to one.
What concessions will Cenred insist on?
What territories will he demand?
We do not have to give him anything
but it could buy us valuable time.
It shows weakness, Gaius.
There is only one course of action open to us.
We must prepare the city for siege.
Are you sure that is wise?
The castle is our strongest weapon.
No army has ever taken Camelot.
What about the people in the villages?
Give them refuge within the city walls.
And what of their houses, their livelihoods?
Cenred will destroy everything in his path.
But they will have their lives.
Go.
Ready the army.
You did well in there. I mean it.
I was impressed.
We're talking siege engines,
battering rams, catapults...
you made a tough decision.
- You're risking... - Do you know what?
I'd really prefer it
if you'd just kept quiet in these situations.
I am just trying to help.
Well, you're not.
I know you don't mean that, you're just worried.
But you don't need to be.
Look at what we've got.
What?
You and...
..me.
Merlin, what exactly are you going to do?
I'm going to be at your side, like I always am.
Protecting you.
God help me!
My dear Morgause.
Cenred.
My army shall be here by nightfall.
I'm glad that pleases you.
I'll wait to see if you deliver before I say that I am pleased.
And when I do?
Then I will give you a feast that you will never forget.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean...
No. Come in. Please.
How is your father?
I could do with him here.
You should have more faith in yourself.
What are the people saying?
They are glad that you have taken charge.
I've committed them to a siege.
There's going to be casualties.
I trust you, Arthur.
More than Uther, more than any man.
Worry is not a wise counsel.
Forget everything else,
you have to follow what you believe is right.
I should go, sire.
There's no need to call me that.
There is every need... sire.
Where have you been?
- What's wrong, sister? - It's Merlin.
He's alive, he's back in Camelot.
He has thwarted us.
He destroyed the mandrake root.
Your enchantment has been broken.
Do not worry. The root has already done its work
and Cenred's army are less than a day from the city.
Then it is time.
Are you ready?
Morgana,
Cenred's army are mighty,
but they cannot bring down the city on their own.
You, too, must play your part.
Tell me what I must do.
It was carved from the rowan tree
that grows at the very heart of the Isle of the Blessed.
Only the High Priestesses and their Bloodguard
have ever set eyes on it.
My magic is still weak.
I do not have the strength to wield such an instrument.
Do not worry.
The staff will guide you.
It carries its own power.
I will not fail you.
I know.
Merlin, where have you been? I've been calling for you.
Gathering provisions.
25 salted cod,15 dried capons and one smoked boar.
What on earth for?
We're preparing for a siege.
Yes, not a banquet.
You know what you're like without food.
We could be trapped in here for weeks, months even.
Look what I've got for your breakfasts.
Your favourite.
Pickled eggs.
Has everyone from the villages been given shelter?
As best we can, sire.
They amount to 9,000 so far,
but they're still coming.
How long will our provisions last?
That depends on losses sustained.
And Cenred?
Our scouts report he will be upon us in a matter of hours.
Sire.
It's time.
I promise I'll not let you down.
Sorry.
Not like you to get nervous, is it, Merlin?
I'm not nervous.
No?
Because I trust in your destiny.
Have you been on the cider?
It is your fate
to be the greatest king Camelot has ever known.
And your victory today will be remembered.
By every age,
until the end of time.
Just trust in yourself.
There are times, Merlin, when you display a sort of,
I don't know what it is...
I want to say...
It's not wisdom.
But, yes...
That's what it is.
Don't look so pleased.The rest of the time you're a complete idiot!
For the love of Camelot!
Fire!
Hold the line!
You need to go back, sire.
Gaius,
one of us needs to keep an eye on her.
Don't worry, I am.
You mustn't let her out of your sight.
I need to get back to Arthur.
Father!
- What are you doing? - You're not well.
This is my...
kingdom!
Pull back! Retreat!
You must get back, we are losing the Lower Town.
It is already lost. Father.
- And the citadel? - Safe for now.
It must stay that way.
You have to trust me, father, I know what I'm doing.
You must rest.
And when you are well again you will still have a kingdom,
I promise you that.
The Lower Town is ours!
That will hardly fill the pages of history.
What of the citadel itself?
Their defences are strong.
It is time for you to deliver your side of the bargain.
Patience, Cenred.
You will not be disappointed.
Where's Gaius?
I don't know.
Morgana's disappeared.
Enough of your games, Morgause. What has happened to your traitor?
For such a great king you have very little patience.
The time for patience is over.
You need not worry much longer.
No army can fight on two fronts,
not even the Knights of Camelot.
Take him to hospital.
Merlin! Where the hell have you been?
Nowhere.
You're starting to make a habit of this.
What's your excuse this time?
Come on, Merlin, you can do better than that.
You need to warn Gaius. Tell him to seal off the hospital.
Merlin, do as I say!
I have to get out there!
No, sire. You are still weak.
I told you...
I cannot watch my kingdom fall and do nothing.
Arthur will defend it.
Gaius?
You need to seal off the hospital.
The castle is under attack from within.
What are you talking about?
Morgana.
She's summoned an army of the dead. They're everywhere.
Where are you going?
To try and stop her.
We can't fight a battle on two fronts.
Keep still.
I don't know how much longer we can hold the citadel.
We need to get my father to safety.
How? We no longer control the Lower Town.
There is no escape, Arthur.
You should leave now, while you still can.
Morgana. Please. I beg you.
Women and children are dying. The city will fall.
Good.
No, you don't mean that.
I have magic, Merlin.
Uther hates me and everyone like me.
Why should I feel differently about him?
You, of all people, could change Uther's mind.
But using magic like this,
will only harden his heart.
You don't have magic, Merlin,
how could you hope to understand?
I do understand. Believe me.
If I had your gifts, I would harness them for good.
That's why you were born with these powers.
You don't know what it's like to be an outsider
to be ashamed of how you were born,
to have to hide who you are.
Do you think I deserve to be executed because of who I am?
No.
It doesn't have to be like this.
We can find another way.
There is no other way.
What are you going to do... kill me?
You don't think I can?
If you're going to do it, make it quick.
Feoll bu brand.
Snee-des.
Your traitor has failed, as I knew they would.
- I'm calling off the siege. - You can't!
I cannot take the city unaided.
That was not our bargain.
You have failed me, Cenred.
I would rather fail you, Morgause,
than watch thousands of men die.
- Sire. - What is it?
I need to tell you something about Morgana.
It's all right, we know what happened.
You do?
In my time, we've won many battles,
but none so important as this.
Every man, every woman and child
has performed their heroic best.
And I thank and I salute you all.
Even before the battle we knew we there was a traitor in our midst.
One who was almost the undoing of us.
However, we have to thank the one person
who outwitted them,
and who, almost single-handedly, turned the battle.
The Lady Morgana.
For it was she who bravely entered the vault,
found the magical vessel and destroyed it.
We must be vigilant.
We must stand firm against the dark forces of magic
and ensure that they never penetrate our walls again.
Why is Uther so blind to her true nature?
I don't know, Merlin.
It is a mystery.
But Morgana will try again.
I'll be ready for her.
You must be careful.
I'm not afraid of her, Gaius.
You should be.
All I feel for her is....
sad.
She's become so bitter, so full of hate.
Don't let that happen to you, Merlin.
Nothing could ever make me that angry.
Merlin!
Get your lazy backside out here.
On second thoughts...
It seems you have unleashed a goblin.
That's not Gaius. He's been possessed by a goblin.
- I'm going to the tavern. - You never go to the tavern.
Tell me you didn't think that was funny.
Your magic may be powerful, but I have an advantage.
What's that?
I can hurt you,
whereas you cannot hurt me without hurting Gaius.