[Merlin walks through the countryside to Camelot.]

KILGHARRAH; "No young man, no matter how great, can know his destiny. He cannot glimpse his part in the great story that is about to unfold. Like everyone, he must live and learn. And so it will be for the young warlock arriving at the gates of Camelot. A boy that will, in time, father the legend. His name: Merlin."

"Well you've got a big name to live up to there, eh Merlin?" Gwaine jokes, breaking the tension. Everyone laughs nervously before turning their focus back to the screen.

[Merlin enters Camelot and Uther addresses a crowd from the balcony in the Square.]

UTHER; "Let this serve as a lesson to all. This man, Thomas James Collins, is adjudged guilty of conspiring to use enchantments and magic. And, pursuant to the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon, have decreed that such practices are banned on penalty of death. I pride myself as a fair and just king, ("Fair and just? Yeah right" mutters Merlin) but for the crime of sorcery, there is but one sentence I can pass."

[Uther raises his arm, then lowers it as a signal to the executioner. Thomas Collins is beheaded. People gasp.]

Gwen lets out a gasp. Elyan turns to Merlin "No wonder you were scared of telling us if that was your first impression of Camelot"

"I know, I had to learn quickly to hide my powers."

UTHER; "When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos, but with the people's help magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate twenty years since the Great Dragon was captured and Camelot freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin."

"Celebrating the death of an innocent man? I hardly see the need to party" Merlin mutters sarcastically.

"Merlin, Uther was blinded by fear, the death of Ygraine-" Gaius is cut off by Merlin.

"And who's fault was that, eh?"

Arthur looks up at the mention of his mother. "What do you mean? Magic caused my mothers death, didn't it?" Both Gaius and Merlin look away guiltily. The others watch them confused, except Arthur who begrudgingly returns back to looking at the screen.

MARY COLLINS [Wailing] ; There is only one evil in this land, and it is not magic! It is you! With your hatred and your ignorance! You took my son! And I promise you, before these celebrations are over, you will share my tears. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a son for a son.

UTHER; Seize her!

MARY COLLINS;[Chants a spell] [Mary disappears in a whirl of wind and smoke.]

[Merlin enters the palace and addresses a guard.]

MERLIN; Where would I find Gaius, the- the court physician?

[Guard points. Merlin walks up steps and knocks on the open door to the physician's quarters and peeks inside.]

MERLIN; Hello?

Hello? Gaius? [clears throat]

[Gaius trips over backwards from the bookshelf stairs and the railing breaks. Merlin's eyes glow and he slows time while also using magic to move a bed under Gaius before he hits the floor.]

"When you said instinctual you really meant it" Gwen looked in awe at Merlin.

Merlin shuffles embarrassed, "well, um, yeah"

Hunith notices his discomfort and smiles at him "Honey, saving a life is nothing to be embarrassed about"

"I'm just not used to the attention I guess"

GAIUS; What did you just do?

MERLIN; Erm...

GAIUS; Tell me!

MERLIN; I- I- I have no idea what happened.

Gwaine smirks "Sure you don't."

"Well I was hardly about to admit to my magic right after seeing someone executed for it!"

GAIUS; If anyone had seen that...

MERLIN; Er, no! That- that was, that was nothing to do with me. That- that was...

GAIUS; I know what it was! I just want to know where you learned how to do it!

"I never learnt magic."

"I was taught that magic corrupts, now I see sometimes it is not a choice" said Leon, smiling at Merlin.

"I would still choose it even if it was a choice, without magic, I have nothing."

Hunith turns to her son "Now that's not true!"

MERLIN; Nowhere.

GAIUS; So how is it you know magic?

MERLIN; I don't.

GAIUS; Where did you study?... Answer me!

"Feisty Gaius" smirked Gwaine, earning himself a dark look form Gaius.

MERLIN; I- I've never studied magic or, or been taught.

GAIUS; Are you lying to me, boy?

"No" Hunith seemed almost proud as she spoke this one word.

MERLIN; What do you want me to say?

GAIUS; The truth!

MERLIN; I was born like this!

GAIUS; That's impossible! Who are you?

"Why did you think it was impossible?" asks Percival, genuinely curious.

"Well let's just say there's no one else quite like Merlin" Gaius replies smirking.

"You can say that again!"

Gwaine joins the others laughing at his own joke.

MERLIN; Oh, erm...

[Merlin pulls off his backpack.]

MERLIN; I have this letter.

[Merlin gets a letter out of his bag and hands it to Gaius.]

GAIUS; I- I don't have my glasses.

MERLIN; I'm Merlin.

GAIUS; Hunith's son?

MERLIN; Yes!

GAIUS; But you're not meant to be here till Wednesday!

MERLIN; It is Wednesday.

This earns a laugh from the group. "Really Gaius" asks Hunith. Gaius looks away awkwardly.

GAIUS; Ah, right then. You better put your bag in there.

MERLIN; You- you won't say anything about, erm...

GAIUS; No. Although, Merlin, I should say thank you.

"I knew you were special even then" Gaius smiled, pride in his voice.

HUNITH [voiceover]

My dear Gaius, I turn to you for I feel lost and alone and don't know who to trust. It is every mother's fate to think her child is special, and yet I would give my life that Merlin were not so. Ours is a small village and he is so clearly at odds with people here that, if he were to remain, I fear what would become of him. He needs a hand to hold, a voice to guide, someone that might help him find a purpose for his gifts. I beg you, if you understand a mother's love for her son, keep him safe, and may God save you both.