[tense music plays]
[Carden] The Fey have blended into the wood, my son,
but even demons must eat.
We know they forage off the farms of the Minotaur,
so if they will not reveal themselves,
then we will starve them out.
Burn their fields.
Scourge their farms.
Until they panic like cattle to the slaughterhouse.
[woman] Help!
[cries for help]
[girl] Help! Help!
Please! Somebody!
Please!
[indistinct yelling]
[eerie ethereal music plays]
Did you honestly think I would let you ride south?
I have to go to Merlin.
This was my charge and I will see it fulfilled.
-To give him the Sword of Power? -It was her dying wish, Gawain.
Lenore could not anticipate the course of this war.
That sword could help us protect our farms.
Carden's Weeping Monk is torching our food supply.
Those tonsured devils are burning our valley,
and we must respond.
Hello.
-What's this? -I was just headed for you.
-You found something blocking the road? -Green Knight, the Council?
There may be paladins on those mountain trails.
Or thieves.
You're going on mountain trails? With thieves?
I will accompany you. Meet me by the trailhead to the north.
-I'll bring horses. -That's not necessary. I'll escort her.
I do not need an escort.
A riding companion, then.
I'm sorry, we haven't met.
[hisses]
[Nimue] Uh, Arthur, this is Kaze.
Look, everyone, I do not take this decision to go to Merlin lightly.
But it has been made.
Outsiders do not protect our clan members.
Let's let Nimue decide whether I'm an "outsider."
You're determined to make me choose. Is that it?
Very well.
Kaze, it appears I need an escort.
Will you accompany me?
I'll find us horses.
Oh, wait. I'll meet you.
Morgana?
I ride to Merlin now. I just wanted to--
[Morgana] I'll go with you.
But it... it's too soon.
You need to rest.
No.
-I left her, and look what happened. -[sighs]
It's all right. I'll ride with Kaze.
If you order me to stay, I'll follow you anyway.
I'll be safe.
That's exactly what Celia said to me.
I shouldn't have listened to her.
-I should've stayed. -[mournful music plays]
To face our enemies together and share her fate.
Our common responsibility are to the people in those caves.
They need you.
I want the best for the Fey clans.
And I want the war to end.
But I don't live for them anymore.
I live for...
For what?
I don't know.
Let's ride.
[adventure music plays]
[sentimental music plays]
A token.
[door opens]
[man] It was a challenging shot, Your Majesty.
That slope has cost me more than one dinner.
May we speak with our own counsel?
Your Majesty.
[door closes]
God, we hate the hunt.
And there you are,
your head still attached to your body.
Enjoying our mercy?
Indeed, Your Majesty.
Where are you off to?
I ride to claim your reward.
A request has been made that I come alone. I believe it shrewd to comply.
So, the Fey peasant girl may decide to bestow the sword upon us?
How fortunate we are.
She came upon it by accident.
But you have drawn the sword to you
by wit and by brute force.
You were even willing to sacrifice your closest adviser to get it.
It gave us no pleasure.
But to serve your subjects,
you ignored your feelings and did your duty.
All the more noble.
We could carry the cross of our Lord...
[grunts] ...Mother would still not describe us as "noble."
The mistake will be hers.
-You're a good man, Uther. -[gasps]
You're a good man who will become a good king.
I want you to remember that.
Because you'll never remind us again, we're sure of that.
Have a safe journey.
Bring us back legitimacy and victory.
[tense music plays]
You have given us hope, Merlin,
that you have rediscovered your loyalty to the crown.
[footsteps receding]
[door opens, closes]
[suspenseful music plays]
[horse snorts]
Well, my girl.
Send the Widow my regards.
[snorts]
[queen regent] Merlin rides to meet with someone. Find out who...
Send a raven when you're sure.
[horse brays]
-There's no more. -[man] That's it. No more food!
That's the end of it.
[angry muttering]
By Grannus, I could eat a whole ox.
Fits. 'Cause you got a face like a cow.
That's my portion, Paryaat, I've stood here for hours.
What do I care? Now go back to your mother before I--
-Hand that back. -I'll run you through, Man Blood!
[groans]
[Paryaat coughs]
Living in close quarters means minding the line.
Am I understood?
Yes.
All right.
Leaving?
Uh... I'm happy to share what's left.
I'd rather hunt to eat, anyway.
I... I... I'll walk with you.
That was, uh... that was quite the takedown.
Mogwan's the name.
Arthur.
Hail, Arthur. [chuckles]
Uh, may I...
May I ask who taught you to fight that way?
Uh, cutthroats. It was while they were robbing me.
I thought it might have been a less formal technique.
Would you teach me?
I don't have time for that. Sorry.
-You encouraged her to leave. -Excuse me?
You encouraged her to ride alone into the woods to meet the Fey traitor.
[Arthur] I said I'd go with her.
Maybe your sell-sword friends are lying in wait
to have another go at stealing the blade she was carrying?
No, but if you're curious about swords, I can give you a close look at one.
No closer than I've already seen, thief.
[man] Gawain.
Crisis Council.
[Cora] Our provisions are gone.
We have no food for the children.
The paladins have burned six more farms,
including the two that supplied our milled flour.
There's only one working mill left:
Moycraig.
And one road to it.
A small convoy from Moycraig will bring food stores to us here,
but they will need a guide.
I'll meet the convoy. Alone. We can't risk attracting attention.
[Arthur] That's a mistake.
Anyone else wondering why that road is the only one still open?
Our gang used to shut down roads all the time
to funnel the mark down one we owned.
The Red Paladins are luring you here.
If you're going to take the bait, take the steel to protect yourself.
You'll need six men at least to defend yourselves.
I'll accompany you.
I don't ride with men I don't trust.
Man Blood bones snap too easily, and they eat more than their share,
but our fighters are spread too thin as it is.
You should take the help.
I can spare three.
Five of us still isn't enough.
This your second-in-command?
Mm.
Ah, he'll do just fine.
Me?
-[wind howling] -[mystical twinkling]
[horse brays]
[adventure music plays]
[Kaze] Oh.
[horse pants, snorts]
-We'll escort you in. -[Nimue] No.
I want to meet him alone.
For my mother's sake, I will hear him out.
But the decision is not cast in stone.
He has to convince me that the Fey will be protected.
Any last advice?
The king himself must pledge to stop Carden's raids.
That's the price.
Uther must join us against the paladins
and the Weeping Monk.
Listen to the quiet voices inside.
The Hidden will guide you.
[sighs]
[horse snorts]
[suspenseful music plays]
[wind howling]
[Nimue] Hello?
It's like looking at Lenore herself.
I've been told there is a resemblance.
I've had... so many questions running through my mind since we spoke, but...
now that I'm here, I'm afraid I can't remember them.
You brought the sword, I see.
I bring it everywhere.
Did you love my mother?
I did.
Did she love you?
I flatter myself that once she may have.
When did you meet?
Why did you part?
And abandon me, your own child?
Those stories are perhaps best saved for more peaceful times.
Well, I'm not prepared to wait that long.
Every second you hold that sword, the danger to your life increases.
Pass it to me so we can spare you this threat.
Then perhaps get to know each other a bit.
You think I'd hand it to you just like that?
Between the armies of Pendragon and the paladins of Rome,
you will be snuffed like a candle flame.
Everyone I trust told me not to come here.
They said you were a deceiver
and a drunkard.
-I won't be pressured to giving it to you. -I'm trying to protect you from--
I've managed a lifetime without your protection.
Don't try and pretend you care now!
[indistinct whispering]
[Nimue draws sword]
-Who's there? -[indistinct whispering]
Who else is here with us?
Festa and Moreii.
Born of rival clans.
[voice whispers] Don't leave!
They hid in this castle long ago and drank hemlock
so they would never be separated.
[whispering continues]
It's their voices you hear.
-Take care. -[mystical twinkling]
I have voices of my own.
Now tell me how I came to be.
Why won't you give me answers?
Why did you leave me?
My answers will disappoint you.
I will disappoint you.
If you seek to earn my trust
and this sword,
you will tell me the truth about your history with my mother.
My words are inadequate to the task.
But I chose this place because Festa and Moreii, with our help,
can allow you to see the past with your own eyes.
I don't understand.
You will.
Come.
Green Knight, sir.
Do I know you, boy?
From when I was small.
In Dewdenn.
Who's your father?
-Gullayad, sir. -[chuckles]
Gully. He carried a bit of weight back then.
But he could hunt with a knife.
He's dead now, sir.
-You're the head of the family, then. -Yes.
And as I am accompanying you today to secure our food supply,
should I carry a sword or a spear?
You can carry whatever you like,
so long as you carry it back to the children's room.
I will see my kin avenged.
Maybe.
But not today.
[footsteps approaching]
[children chattering]
Is that your bow?
I'm holding it.
I'm whittling it.
It's in my hand.
What's your guess?
Show me how to use it.
I'd rather drown myself in sheep's blood.
Then I'll cut your throat in your sleep and steal it anyway.
Not before I chop your thumbs off and... drink blood from the stumps.
[sighs]
You coming or not?
They died on that bench... wrapped in each other's arms.
Sit.
Why?
The spirits of Culzean can traverse the realms of the past.
In this case, mine.
I won't deceive you, Nimue.
Now or ever.
[suspenseful music plays]
[Nimue] What do I do?
The lovers will be drawn to these.
This castle relic was a symbol of their love.
Visions will come.
[tapping beads] Don't fight them.
-[whooshing] -[whispering]
Don't be afraid, Nimue. [tapping beads]
-[indistinct whispering] -[beads clinking]
[gasps]
[thrilling music plays]
Merlin?
[breathing heavily]
[groans]
[gasps]
[wind howling]
[Merlin breathing heavily]
Pass.
[Merlin groans]
Who are you?
What's the matter?
No.
Leave me to the gods.
[sighs]
You may die outside if you wish,
but not in the house of the Hidden. Come.
[strains, groans loudly]
-[Merlin groans] -[water splashes]
[gasps]
-[Merlin groans] -[Lenore gasps]
No. Let me be.
I want to die.
[groans]
The spirit is not yours to extinguish.
[groaning]
[inhales sharply, groans]
What is this?
[Merlin gasps]
[groans loudly]
[panting]
This... this object inside of you.
What is it?
[groans]
It has to be removed.
[pained breathing]
It is the source of poison that is killing you.
Do you understand?
You must not!
[strangled breathing]
[Lenore breathes heavily]
[recites Fey incantation]
[incantation continues]
[suspenseful music plays]
[speaking Fey]
[continues speaking Fey]
[breathing heavily]
[continues speaking Fey]
[exhales sharply]
[squelching]
[gasps]
[clattering]
[suspenseful music plays]
[Merlin groans]
[pained screaming]
[recites Fey incantation]
[Merlin screams in pain]
[incantation continues]
[Merlin screams]
[incantation continues]
[gasps]
[mystical twinkling]
[Lenore gasps]
[Lenore, in English] You're here because you're running from someone.
I'm always running from someone.
I know who you are.
I know you've advised kings.
[Merlin] Every court requires a man like me.
What kind of man is that?
One skilled in dark magic and the art of war.
Wars that always seem to land hardest on the Fey.
[Merlin] I have defended our people many times.
Not with swords, perhaps, but with whispers in darkened rooms.
Soft whispers, indeed.
The people here hate you.
If they found you, they would kill you.
I would die happy.
What were you like as a boy?
I, uh...
[chuckles]
I stayed close to my mother.
My father frightened me.
He was... adept in the sciences.
Intelligent but cruel.
I loved my mother very much.
[tender music plays]
[Merlin] You put yourself at risk hiding me.
It is a risk worth taking.
[gasps]
[breathing shakily]
She harbored a fugitive?
My tidy mother,
who never broke a rule.
She had secret desires, and she acted on them.
I could have trusted her to know me so much more than I let her.
I'm sorry to report that life without Lenore
never felt quite complete.
[chuckles, sniffles]
You invite your daughter to this grand old castle
and offer no fuss.
No supper. [chuckles]
Oh, gods, I, um...
Uh...
Uh, I... I... Uh...
Wait here. No. I... Uh...
Follow me. I'll go find something.
My lips to Grannus's ears, that Viking soil can grow anything.
Squash, turnips, beets.
My Blathnat puts them in jars in the Fey manner.
She'll put your whole winter in a jar. We're gonna find a plot in the north.
Settle down, plant a flag with our family's crest.
-Your family doesn't have a crest. -Certainly it does.
I drew it.
It's a cave bear holding two salmon in its up-stretched claws.
[man] Bears can't hold salmon.
They don't have thumbs. You're a damn fool.
Who needs thumbs? Look.
[Gawain] Moycraig is just beyond this forest.
Finish up.
What was your most thrilling battle, Lord Arthur?
I'm not a lord.
[chuckles]
Was it soldiery?
Paladin hard cases?
I was alone at Markham town square at night.
Awful place.
Full up with ale.
Four thieves jumped me.
They regretted it.
What of you, Green Knight? What was the battle that stayed with you?
In the first days of the struggle,
my best friend and I formed the first Fey Guard.
We waited well for the paladins.
Killed some while they ate.
Others while they pissed in the grass.
One night, we crept into a paladin encampment
and slit seven throats.
[tense music plays]
Oh.
I crawled clear, hid in the trees,
but then I saw they'd caught my friend.
Had his arms strung up behind his back.
Their leader, Carden, called out to me.
Bade me surrender myself.
How he knew that there were two of us, I still don't know.
He held a torch
to my brother's skin.
Took out one of his eyes.
Bade me reveal myself
in that beautiful,
low voice of his.
My brother screaming like a shorn sheep.
You surrendered?
I sat in that tree and watched while they tortured my brother to death.
Because if I had surrendered,
there would be two dead Fey Guard instead of one.
They kill prisoners, women, children.
A water snake has more soul than a human being.
So if you get the chance, boy,
kill as many as you can.
[horse brays]
[horse snorts]
It's a paladin.
A fat one with an eye missing and a battle-ax.
And he's coming to kill you.
Nock.
Loose.
[sighs]
He's reached you.
He's stabbed you in the guts.
And now he's cutting your head off.
Arms in the shape of a bloody cross,
or you'll wind up nailed to one.
You think I'm harsh?
They cut my parents down.
Burned all my friends.
Where's your family?
The nuns told me my father strangled my mother after I was born.
He was angry I was not a boy.
Hand me an arrow.
But you liked your family.
Yes, I damn well liked them.
If I liked my family,
I wouldn't sleep until the blood of their killers ran into every river.
You keep practicing.
[ominous music plays]
I have to go.
[rain pattering]
[Merlin] A sad bounty.
[Nimue] What?
The great Merlin bested by a few dead trees.
So it's magic you want to see?
Why not?
Tell me about your connection to the Hidden.
It strikes when it will.
That only means you need practice.
Why don't you awaken that apple tree?
I'm not in the mood for lessons.
A gift like yours could make you a formidable sorceress.
But you fear it.
That makes you weak.
Lenore was the same.
She could have been a Shadow Lord, instead of a fancy midwife to peasants.
Speak ill of my mother again, old man, and you shall see dangerous magic.
[whispering]
Anger is your flint to the fire.
Very clever.
There are other ways to access the Hidden.
-Imagine the result you want. -I told you, I can't control it.
-I'm not asking you to control anything. -[sighs]
Create an intention...
and then surrender that intention to the Hidden.
Go on.
[inhales deeply]
-[whooshing] -[slithering]
[indistinct whispering]
[mystical twinkling]
[ethereal music plays]
[exhales deeply]
[creaking]
[gasps]
It's never quite followed my suggestion before.
What trick of the mind helped you?
I thought about someone I love.
Hmm.
I'll have to remember that trick.
This was a favorite of Mamun the Great.
A keen mind but a simple palate.
[chuckles]
It's not terrible.
I may find a use for you yet.
[mystical twinkling]
You covet it for yourself.
I will never wield that sword again.
Neither should you.
It was your blade?
I thought some enemy buried it in you.
They may as well have.
[inhales sharply]
Over time, Nimue,
your dependency will only grow.
And the power will change you.
As it changed me.
-It's a convenient warning. -Yet the truth all the same.
With this, I know any enemy can be defeated.
Every slash, every thrust, I'm certain will find blood.
Why would I give that up when I'm being hunted from all sides?
Because sword or no sword,
those enemies will eventually find and kill you.
Do not stand at the nexus of another war over that wretched weapon.
How does giving you the sword prevent that war?
You know me as Pendragon's counsel.
Well, that's not all I am.
Sharing the specifics of my plan for peace could endanger you.
Perhaps you could trust me.
I want to see more of the past.
Why didn't my mother tell me about the sword? What other secrets does it hold?
I don't think it will help you with your decision.
Then my decision is "no."
[suspenseful music plays]
[bead tapping echoes]
[mystical twinkling]
[whooshing]
[Merlin] Hmm.
[Lenore gasps]
[both pant, moan]
No, thank you.
No to this, please.
[Lenore pants]
[tender music plays]
Look away.
[both giggle]
A token.
[Lenore chuckles]
Have you thought of marriage?
I've been promised,
if that's what you mean.
It wasn't me that did the promising.
Jonah is his name.
You don't love him?
You know that I don't.
Make penance there, Jonah, there.
Aye, girl.
Yes?
[man] Where are the offerings?
A shrine should not be kept bare.
You won't keep Jonah's house like you keep this temple.
I keep the temple. The worshippers bring the offerings.
[man] Excuses too?
You have no dowry, girl.
You offer my family nothing.
I have not asked for anything.
[recites incantation in magical language]
[speaking magical language]
[yells]
[inhales sharply, attempts incantation]
[muttering incantation]
[speaks magical language]
[breathing heavily]
-[speaks magical language] -[tense music plays]
[groans]
-[Merlin, in English] Where is it? -[clattering]
Where is it?
What in Arawn's name are you doing?
-[Merlin] Where is it? -Where is what?
Did you take it for yourself or as an agent of another?
-Lower your voice in this holy place. -[yells] I want what you stole from me!
If you mean that cursed object I saved you from,
what would you have had me do? You were dying.
My magic has gone with it.
The core of my being.
It was the sword that corrupted you. It took you away from your core.
[groans]
Where is it, Lenore?
I will never return that monstrous thing to you. Never!
I destroyed it! Threw the pieces into the river!
You're lying!
Work your violence if you have the courage.
I will not fear you or any other man.
You hateful thing.
You've destroyed me too.
Dear gods.
[Lenore breathes heavily]
[metal clangs, mystical twinkling]
[ominous music plays]
[screeching]
[echoing screams]
No!
[panting]
Leave this place.
Never return.
I will marry Jonah.
-[Merlin] Lenore, I spoke in haste-- -[Lenore] If you love me...
I do.
...let this be the last time I see your face.
[breathes shakily]
[sobs]
[gasps]
[Nimue] Merlin?
Merlin.
[slurs] No more.
[sighs]
[ghostly voices whispering]
[Merlin whimpers]
[ghostly voices whispering]
[ghostly voices continue whispering]
-[Merlin] No more. -[whispering]
[ghostly voices whispering]
[snarling, whimpering]
[ghostly voices whispering]
Show me what he doesn't want me to see.
[ghostly voices whispering]
[ghostly voices continue whispering]
-[rumbling] -[pained screaming]
[screeching]
[panicked screaming]
[snarling]
[yelling]
-[pained screaming] -[baby crying]
[woman screaming]
[baby crying]
No, please...
[Merlin yells]
No!
[panting]
[gasping]
[breathing heavily]
[gasping]
[mystical twinkling]
[Nimue pants]
[Merlin] Nimue.
-What have you done? -You're a murderer.
I saw the mothers. I saw the executions.
You killed innocents.
You're steeped in blood.
I've lived many lives.
Some contained terrible mistakes.
But tell me,
how many have died by your hands in these past weeks?
They were killers.
They burned everyone I knew.
See?
You're certain your cause is just.
So was I certain.
Revenge took ownership of me.
It'll do the same to you
because you're my kin.
[Nimue groans loudly]
I wish to the gods I wasn't!
[yells] But you are!
[groans, pants]
Let me destroy it.
[breathes heavily] What?
That's my true intention, if you must know.
To melt it in the ancient Fey Fires where it can harm no one ever again.
What of the Fey? What of my people?
Lenore didn't tell you to save an entire race.
She told you to bring the sword to me.
She gambled that I had become a better man. And I have.
I swear I'll do everything in my power to protect the Fey.
You have my word.
Release this burden, my child.
[breathes shakily]
Kaze?
-[horse brays] -Well done, boy.
Bind the Fey girl, but do not kill her.
[horse whinnies]
[guards yell]
[horse brays]
[tense music plays]
Nimue. Nimue! Pendragon's soldiers are outside.
They've come for you.
-You have betrayed me? -No.
I must have been followed. I didn't call them here.
I swear to you, Nimue!
My mother's gamble failed. You're not a better man.
Nimue, please--
-You were the only family I had left. -I can still be!
What was it my mother said to you?
Let this be the last time I see your face.
Quick. This way.
[dramatic music plays]
[horse brays]
Ah, you thick-skulled oaf!
You've stolen the sword from your own king!
It was your task, magician, not mine.
Where is the witch?
Gone.
Ride ahead!
Pick up her trail,
if you mean to return home in one piece!
[guard] Move out! Ya!
Ya! Ya!
Take him inside.
Move!
[Merlin groans]
[Gawain] The mill is nearby.
Dismount. We'll rest the horses here and continue on foot.
I suggest we stay mounted with bows at the ready.
You were not asked along for your military expertise.
Dismount.
[horse snorts]
You won't listen to me because I'm human.
Or better to die purebred, is that it?
[Gawain] You.
You can come with us to the mill, or fetch water with him.
Which do you choose?
I...
I'll fetch water, sir.
You should have gone with them.
If it please you, Lord Arthur,
-I would like to be your squire. -[chuckles]
You are a fool, aren't you?
I have no title.
I want to learn to fight well enough to help win back our land.
I could learn that from a Man Blood, couldn't I?
I'm ready for my first lesson.
Very well... squire.
[high-pitched squeal]
-[panting] -[ominous music plays]
[exhales shakily]
[breathing heavily]
[ominous music plays]