Le Morte D'Arthur
'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,' Kilgharrah intoned.
In the forest Arthur's hunting party sneaks through the woods.
'Merlin, spear,' Arthur orders.
Merlin drops it on him.
'Do you have any natural gifts, Merlin?' asked Arthur.
'Yes,' grinned Merlin, 'I was born with magic.'
'No,' Merlin lied. 'Well, let me think. I'm not naturally rude or insensitive.'
'Just naturally irritating,' Arthur jibed.
They move forward and hear growling noises. Arthur catches Merlin's scared expression.
'It's probably more scared of you than you are of it,' Arthur says.
'Really?' drawled Merlin, 'before or after it almost killed you?'
'I thought it was an ordinary beast not a monster,' retorted Arthur.
Arthur signals to his knights where to go. Questing Beast jumps out at them. Arthur drops his spear and they all run. Merlin falls. Arthur and Sir Bedivere help him up. Bedivere subsequently falls and gets killed by the beast.
'Have we lost it?' whispers Merlin.
'Who's missing?' Arthur looks around.
'Where's Sir Bedivere?' asked Merlin.
Sir Bedivere screams in the distance.
In the king's council chambers the council is talking.
'The creature you describe has all the characteristics of the Questing Beast,' Gaius said grimly.
'Surely that's a myth,' Gaius said.
'According to the old books, the appearance of the Questing Beast is supposed to foreshadow a time of great upheaval,' Gaius warned.
'What was the upheaval?' asked Arthur.
'You almost dying,' suggested Gwen.
'Or Morgana's betrayal,' said Merlin.
'Gaius, it's an old wives' tale,' Uther tells the court physician's.
'Look, whatever it is, it's spreading panic. The people fear it will enter the city,' Arthur said.
'Then we must kill it.
'Killing isn't the answer to everything,' Merlin muttered.
Arthur, gather the guard together. You ride at dawn,' the king orders.
'I beg you, Sire, do not dismiss this. The beast is an omen. I've seen it come before, the night your wife Ygraine passed away,' Gaius informed the king.
'And the start of the persecution of my kin,' Merlin sighed.
'I've told you not to speak of that night again,' snapped the king. 'I have conquered the Old Religion.
'You can't destroy the Old Religion it existed well before the time of men and will last long well after the time of men,' said Merlin.
It's warnings mean nothing to me now. Arthur will destroy the beast and we will no longer suffer at its hand.'
In the physician's chambers Merlin is preparing to leave.
'This is no ordinary beast, Merlin,' the physician warns.
'Don't worry,' Merlin assures his friend.
'You had good reason to worry,' sighed Merlin.
'Gaius got me the cure,' replied Arthur.
Merlin and Gaius share a look.
'That's not what happened is it?' asked Gwen.
'No,' Merlin sighs.
'No, listen to me, you don't understand. Uther may not respect the Old Religion, but it is very real. To face a beast such as this, you must understand where it came from,' Gaius tells the warlock.
'What do you mean?' Merlin asks warily.
'At the very heart of the Old Religion lies the magic of life and death itself.
Arthur shivers.
The Questing Beast carries that power. One bite, you die, and there is no cure,' Gaius said.
'But I survived,' Arthur said.
'I know,' Merlin nodded.
Morgana dreams of the dragon flaming, Merlin yelling "NO!", Arthur and Merlin running in the woods, Arthur lying sick in bed, and the Questing Beast. Morgana bolts up in bed screaming.
'Morgana? Morgana? Wake up,' Gwen struggles with flailing Morgana. 'Wake up, it's me! It's Gwen! Stop it! It was just another dream.'
'It was terrifying,' sobs Morgana.
'Oh, it's going to be alright,' Gwen reassured the seer.
Gwen hugs Morgana.
In the main square Arthur speaks to his knights.
'You've seen the foe we face. It's a creature of nightmare, but you are the best knights in the realm. We can, and we will, kill it before it harms another citizen of our kingdom,' Arthur draws his sword. 'For the love of Camelot!'
The knights draw their swords and repeat their prince's words, 'for the love of Camelot!'
Morgana rushes out of the palace in her nightgown, hysterical, 'Arthur!' she cries.
'Morgana, what are you doing?' demands Arthur.
'You cannot face this!' Morgana tries to grab him.
Arthur struggles with her, 'Morgana, go back to bed. There is nothing to be afraid of.'
'Please, Arthur. I have seen terrible things! You cannot go!' begged Morgana.
'She probably had a bad dream, Sire. I'll take her to see Gaius,' Merlin explained.
'No! I will not let you go!' cried Morgana.
'Please, Merlin, get her inside,' Arthur tells the servant.
'No!' Morgana cries.
Arthur hands her off to Merlin and motions for the guards to come down. Merlin guides Morgana up the steps.
'I will make sure he's safe, My Lady. I promise,' Merlin vows.
Merlin sighed, 'I failed in that prospect.'
'No!' cries Morgana as Merlin hands her off to the guards. Morgana is still struggling and crying, 'no!' as the guards lead her inside.
In the forest Arthur and knights sneak through the woods. Arthur finds gigantic paw print, 'let's follow the trail.'
They hear growling and heavy footfalls.
'Keep close,' Arthur orders.
They find and enter beast's lair. Merlin and Arthur split from the rest they hear hissing.
'What is it?' Merlin whispers.
'What do you think it is?' Lancelot snaps.
'Shh!' Arthur hisses.
The Questing Beast sneaks up on them. Arthur pushes Merlin out of the way and takes on the beast. The beast claws him in the chest, throwing him to the ground. It moves in on Arthur. Merlin tries to distract it by waving his torch, 'hey! Hey!' Merlin uses magic to pick up Arthur's dropped sword, 'Fléoge! Bregdan anwiele gefeluc!'
'What did you say?' asked Arthur.
'Fly! Move the powerful javelin,' replied Merlin.
Merlin enchants the sword and magically throws it into the Questing Beast, killing it. Merlin goes to Arthur and shakes him.
'It didn't bite you. It didn't,' Merlin said then he Merlin sees blood on his hand. 'Arthur? Somebody help me!' Merlin cries.
In the physician's chamber Merlin clears a table with one sweep. Guards place Arthur's stretcher on it.
'What's happened?' Gaius demands and looks at Arthur's wound. 'He's been bitten.'
'I tried to save him,' Merlin said desperately.
'You must tell the King,' Gaius said.
'There must be something you can do,' Merlin asked the physician.
'I wish there was,' Gaius sighed.
'How did you save me?' Arthur demanded, 'what did you give me!' he demands.
'I'll find a cure,' Merlin said.
'Merlin!' called Gaius.
'Trust me!' Merlin bolts into his room.
'Can you hear me, Sire?' Gaius asks the unconscious prince.
'No the only thing I can remember is Guinevere talking to me,' Arthur said.
'Here,' Merlin brings out magic book.
'The King'll be here any moment!' Gaius said.
'He can't die. It is my destiny to protect him. We haven't done all the things we're meant to do,' Merlin cried.
'That is a lament of all men,' Gaius sighed.
'Gaius, he's my friend,' Merlin said.
'Then save him,' Gaius allows.
Merlin uses magic to flip through the book, 'gestathole'
'What?' asked Arthur.
'Stand up,' replied Merlin.
Nothing happens. Merlin flips through the book again, 'thurhhaele,' again nothing happens.
'What does that mean?' asked Arthur.
'Heal thoroughly,' Merlin said.
'Maybe the spells need time to take effect,' Merlin said desperately.
'The bite of the Questing Beast is a death sentence that no magic can overturn,' Gaius said.
'Then what did you do?' Arthur asked.
Merlin didn't answer.
'Where is the Prince? Where is my son?' demands Uther as he enters to see Arthur lying still on the table, 'Arthur!' Arthur gasps the king.
Merlin magically closes his magic book.
'You used magic in front of the king,' gasped Gwen, 'are you suicidal?'
'It wouldn't be the first time plus Uther was a little distracted,' sighed Merlin.
'Do something, Gaius!' Uther commands.
'I am trying, your majesty,' Gaius said.
'Gaius will find a cure. He will not let him die,' Merlin said desperately.
'I will do everything in my power,' Gaius promises.
Uther desperately picks up Arthur himself.
'I'll bear him to his chamber,' Uther walks through the Square with Arthur in his arms, Merlin and Gaius following. Uther collapses in his grief. Four knights come to bear Arthur inside as the King weeps on his knees. Morgana opens a window and watches the scene below.
'He really does love me,' sighed Arthur.
Merlin nodded.
Merlin rushes to the Dragon's Cave.
'I have failed Arthur, failed in my destiny,' Merlin cries.
'And yet, you would not be here if that were true,' Kilgharrah says softly.
'He was bitten by the Questing Beast. He's going to die,' Merlin explains.
'Does he still breathe?' Kilgharrah asks.
'Only just,' Merlin said.
'Then there is still time to heal him,' Kilgharrah said.
'I've tried. I cannot save him,' Merlin cries.
'You do not know how to save him,' corrects the wise old dragon.
'He told you how to save Arthur,' Leon said surprised.
Merlin nodded, 'he had his reasons,' he growled.
'But you can tell me how?' asked Merlin.
'Perhaps. It will not be easy,' the dragon responds vaguely.
'I will do anything,' Merlin promised.
'Anything?' questions the dragon carefully.
'Please, just tell me what I have to do!' Merlin demands.
'Very well. The Questing Beast is a creature conjured by the powers of the Old Religion. You must use the same ancient magic to save him,' Kilgharrah informs the boy.
'But the Old Religion died out centuries ago,' Merlin said.
'The Old Religion is the magic of the earth itself. It is the essence which binds all things together. It will last long beyond the time of men,' Kilgharrah informs the boy.
'But how can that help me save Arthur?' asked Merlin.
'You must find those who still serve it. Those who hold dominion over life and death,' Kilgharrah informs him.
'The Cup of Life,' said Leon suddenly, 'the druids used it to save me when I was dying!'
Merlin nodded.
'Where?' asked Merlin.
'Go to the place that men call the Isle of the Blessed, where the power of the ancients can still be felt. There you will discover Arthur's salvation,' Kilgharrah said.
'Thank you. Thank you,' Merlin looks relieved.
'And Merlin, the young Pendragon must live, no matter what the cost,' the dragon informs the boy.
Merlin growls knowing that the cost was almost his mother's life.
In the physician's chambers Merlin walks back in.
'Merlin, you're back. I need your help. You must get this to Arthur to ease his passing,' the old physician orders his apprentice.
'No. We have to save him,' Merlin starts packing food.
'You've already tried,' Gaius reminds the boy.
'The beast comes from the Old Religion. The cure must come from there as well,' Merlin said.
'There are not many left with such an art,' Gaius said.
'Have you got it?' asked Arthur.
Merlin shrugged, 'I used it on the Isle of Blessed eventually to save Gaius' life.'
'You said yourself, the Old Religion is still alive, and there is an island beyond the White Mountains-'Merlin begins.
'No!' Gaius said sharply.
'Don't you want Arthur's life to be saved?' asked Leon sharply.
'To save a life a life must be taken,' replied Gaius.
'Who gave up their life for me,' Arthur gasped.
'Nobody good,' Merlin assured Arthur.
Arthur frowned but it didn't seem Merlin was willing to tell.
'The Isle of the Blessed...You know it?' asked Merlin.
'It was said to be the centre of the Old Religion, the focus of its power,' Gaius admits.
'Why did you keep this from me?' Merlin demands.
'Because it was too dangerous, Merlin,' Gaius said.
'It's our only chance! I have to find it!' Merlin said.
'And once you are there, what will you ask?' Gaius demands.
'For Arthur to be saved,' Merlin said simply.
'The Questing Beast chose Arthur. That means the Old Religion has decided his fate,' Gaius explained.
'Then I will convince them to change their minds!' Merlin said simply.
'It is not that simple! The High Priests have the power to mirror life and death, but there will be a price to pay. They will demand a life in return. Merlin, please, I beg of you,' Gaius begs.
'I'm sorry, Gaius. Whatever the price is, I will pay it gladly,' Merlin said.
Arthur lies dying in his bed.
Merlin prepares his horse to leave. Gaius approaches him, 'here,' Gaius hands Merlin rolled parchment. 'You'll need a map. And I'm going to give you this. My mother gave it to me,' Merlin unwraps tiny package. 'It's a rabbit's foot.'
Gwen grimaced.
'I'm not going to ask,' Arthur said.
'It's a good luck charm,' Hunith said pulling out her own rabbit's foot which was now just bone.
'Where did you get that?' asked Gwen looking at the way she smiled at it.
'From someone special,' Hunith shrugged.
'To keep you safe,' Merlin understood.
'How did you know?' asked Gwen.
'I'd read about it,' shrugged Merlin.
'It was said to protect you from evil spirits. It's rubbish. I don't believe in superstition. I don't know why I gave it to you,' Gaius reaches to take it back.
'No. I want it. Thank you,' the warlock sighs. 'You've got to keep Arthur alive until I get back,' Merlin mounts and rides off through the woods.
Arthur stirs in his fevered sleep. Uther watches him, 'shh. Sleep, Arthur,' Uther strokes his son's face.
Merlin travels through the countryside with the map.
'You must travel to the place that men call the Isle of the Blessed. Beyond the White Mountains, through the Valley of the Fallen Kings. To the north of the great seas of Marador, you will find a lake.'
That night Gaius asleep in the chair next to Arthur's sick bed. Gwen enters and knocks on the door to wake Gaius.
'Gaius? You should get some rest,' suggests Gwen.
'He must not be left alone,' Gaius said.
'I will nurse him,' Gwen assures the healer.
Gaius leaves. Gwen takes the towel from Arthur's forehead, dips it in a bowl of water, and sits on the bed to tend to him.
'You're not going to die, Arthur. I'm telling you. Because I know that one day you will be King. A greater king than you father could ever be.
Merlin nods.
It's what keeps me going. You are going to live to be the man I've seen inside you, Arthur. I can see a Camelot that is fair and just. I can see a king that the people will love and be proud to call their sovereign. For the love of Camelot, you have to live,' Gwen speaks honestly.
A crowd gathers outside Arthur's window holding candles.
'What are they doing?' asked Arthur.
'Praying,' Gwen said.
'The people love you,' Leon said.
Uther watches from the Griffin Landing window. Gaius comes up behind him, 's there anything I can get your majesty?'
'The people have begun to say goodbye,' Uther said.
'He's not yet gone, Sire,' Gaius tries to reassure his friend.
It did not work, 'but he will not recover,' Uther said.
'Not without a miracle,' Gaius admits.
'I don't believe in miracles,' Uther said.
Merlin approaches a lake, steps in a little boat, 'astyre,' this propels boat across the lake.
'What did that mean?' asked Gwaine.
'I guide,' shrugged Merlin.
Merlin steps out into the fortress on the island and looks around.
'Hello?' Merlin calls.
'Hello, Merlin,' Nimueh steps out.
'Nimueh,' Arthur said.
'Is this when you kill her?' asked Lancelot.
'Not yet,' Merlin said.
'You,' Merlin whispers.
'Do you know who I am?' the witch asks.
'Nimueh. You can't be who the dragon meant,' Merlin looks shocked.
'And why is that?' asks Nimueh silkily.
'You tried to kill me,' Merlin said.
'Before I understood your importance,' Nimueh agrees.
'And Arthur,' Merlin said.
'Arthur was never destined to die at my hand, and now it seems I will be his salvation,' Nimueh said.
'So you know what I've come to ask?' Merlin asks.
'Obviously,' said Arthur drily.
'Yes,' Nimueh breathes.
'Will you do it?' asks Merlin.
'I do not have the power to mirror life itself and yet give nothing in return,' Nimueh said.
'I know that a price will be asked,' Merlin admits.
'To save a life, there must be a death. The balance of the world must be restored,' Nimueh tells the younger magician.
'I willingly give my life for Arthur's,' Merlin said unafraid.
'No!' cried Arthur. 'I told you never to forfeit your life for me!'
'Your life is more important than mine,' retorted Merlin.
'No it's not,' Arthur said.
'It's done,' Gaius said. 'And Merlin is still here.'
'Thanks goodness,' Arthur sighed.
'How brave you are, Merlin. If only it were that simple,' Nimueh sighed.
'What does that mean?' asked Arthur.
'She couldn't take Merlin's life,' Gaius said.
'Why?' asked Percival. 'Not that I'm not glad.'
'We can't interfere in destiny,' Merlin said.
'That's why she didn't kill me,' Arthur said.
Merlin nodded, 'and couldn't let me sacrifice myself.'
'What do you mean?' asked Merlin carefully.
'Once you enter into this bargain, it cannot be undone,' Nimueh elaborates.
'Whatever I have to do, I will do. His life is worth a hundred of mine,' Merlin said.
'No it's not,' Arthur snapped.
'Yes it is,' Merlin retorted. 'You're the future king and I'm just a servant!'
'You're my friend, Camelot's secret protector and most powerful warlock ever!' snapped Arthur.
'Let's watch the box,' Gwen said cutting out the argument.
'The Cup of Life, blessed by centuries of powerful sorcerers so that it contains the very secret of life itself. If Arthur drinks water from the Cup, he will live,' Nimueh tells him.
Merlin takes the Cup.
'Tídrénas,' Nimueh makes it rain on Merlin for a moment.
'What did that mean?' asked Arthur.
'Timely rain,' Merlin said.
Merlin collects the water in the Cup. Nimueh takes the Cup and pours the water into a small, decorative canteen, 'the bargain is struck. I hope it pleases you.'
Merlin rides into Camelot the next morning.
In the physician's chambers Gaius greets Merlin on his return.
'Merlin!' Gaius greets the boy.
'We need to give this to Arthur,' Merlin hands Gaius the decorative canteen.
'What is it?' asked Gaius.
'Water drawn from the Cup of Life. If Arthur drinks from it, he will recover. Please hurry,' Merlin begs.
Gaius begins to walk out, but stops and faces Merlin, 'what are you waiting for?' Merlin urges the old man.
'What price did you pay to redeem his life? Whose life did you bargain?' Gaius doesn't move.
'We don't have time,' Merlin snaps.
'Merlin!' Gaius demands.
'Don't worry, Gaius! Everything's going to be alright,' Merlin promises.
Gaius and Merlin giving Arthur the water. Uther enters, 'what are you doing, physician? What are you giving him?' demands the king.
'It's a... It's a tincture made from the lobelia plant, an ancient remedy for poisonous bites,' Gaius lies.
'A cure?' asked Uther.
'We hope,' Gaius nods.
'Do you really think it will have some effect?' asked Uther.
'It's our last resort, Sire. Perhaps you should allow him to rest,' suggests Gaius.
'I will not leave him,' Uther snaps.
Gaius and Merlin exit. Uther sits by Arthur's bedside.
Gaius and Merlin head down the corridor. Morgana grabs Merlin's arm and pulls him into an alcove, 'please, Merlin, you must beware. This is only the beginning.'
Merlin pulls away and continues down the corridor.
'You should have listened to her,' Gaius said.
Gaius paces in Arthur's Chambers, Uther sleeps hunched over the bed. Arthur wakes. Uther wakes, 'Arthur,' Arthur looks around and puts his head back down.
Gaius enters Physician's Chambers where Merlin is pacing.
'The Prince lives,' is all Gaius said.
In Arthur's chambers Uther and Arthur are talking.
'I thought we'd lost you,' Uther sighs.
'Don't worry, Father, I'm not going to die. I think there's someone watching over me, keeping me from harm,' Arthur said.
'Had no idea it was my idiotic servant,' muttered Arthur.
Merlin grinned.
'Maybe you're right. On your long journey to become King, you will need a guardian angel.
Merlin laughed, 'you know he basically gave me permission to use magic to save you.'
'I think he thought it was Ygraine,' Gaius said quietly.
I shall inform the court that their Prince lives,' Uther said.
Gwen enters as Uther exits. she puts down the towels she's carrying and looks anxiously at Arthur. Arthur opens his eyes and turns to look at her. Gwen smiles in relief, 'I knew it. I said you'd be alright,' she breams.
'I can remember you talking to me,' Arthur said.
'The only thing I remember since being in the cave with Merlin and the beast,' said Arthur.
'Why?' asked Gwen.
'Cause he loves you,' Merlin said, 'even if he doesn't realise it at the time.'
'You can?' Gwen asks nervously.
'You stroked my forehead,' Arthur said.
'You would remember that,' Elian said.
'Love works in mysteriously ways,' Merlin said annoyingly.
'I was tending to your fever,' Gwen looked mortified.
'You never lost faith,' Arthur remembers.
'And I never will,' adds Gwen.
'I was just talking,' Gwen lies.
'Tell me again what you said?' asked Arthur.
'I don't remember,' Gwen said quickly.
'Yes, you do,' Arthur smiles knowingly.
'No, I don't,' Gwen repeated.
'Come on. Something about "the man I am inside,"' Arthur quotes.
'No, I never said that,' Gwen lied.
'You can't lie,' Merlin said.
'I've never had reason too,' Gwen reminded him.
'Lucky for some,' Merlin muttered bitterly.
'Guinevere,' Arthur interrupts.
'I have to get these washed, Sire,' Gwen exits hurriedly with the dirty cloths. Arthur grins in amusement.
Merlin sits on his bed, waiting to die, while a thunderstorm whips through the night. A figure enters the Camelot on foot. A trembling diseased hand opens the door to the Physician's Chambers.
Merlin tenses up and Hunith places a hand on his shoulder, 'I'm fine,' he assured her.
Morgana bolts awake screaming. Morning comes and Merlin is still alive. He rushes out of his room, 'Gaius! I'm alive!' Merlin happily announces.
'How?' asked Percival.
Merlin looks pale and tense.
Gaius is crouching over a collapsed figure on the floor.
'What is it? What's happened?' Merlin asks.
'Merlin, stay there!' Gaius orders.
'What's wrong?' Merlin asks urgently.
'No, don't!' Gaius told his ward again as Merlin walks over to see Hunith, covered in sores, struggling to breathe on the floor.
'How?' asked Arthur.
'She couldn't take me so took the next best thing,' Merlin said grimly.
'Your mother,' sighed Arthur.
Merlin nodded.
'How did she survive?' asked Gwaine.
'Gaius saved her,' Merlin said.
'Mother!' Merlin gasps pain in his voice and on his face.
'Merlin,' the sick mother croaks.
'What's happened to her?' Merlin demands.
'She's gravely ill,' Gaius said.
'I could see that,' Merlin snapped tensely.
'Merlin,' Hunith said gently, 'I survive.'
'I know just you almost died because of me,' Merlin said.
'For me,' sighed Arthur.
'It was my choice,' Merlin said.
'It was Nimueh,' Percival reminds them, 'not either of you!'
'Do something!' Merlin cries.
'If I could,' Gaius sighed.
'Please, Gaius!' Merlin begs.
'Merlin, this is no ordinary illness,' Gaius said.
'This cannot happen,' Merlin denied.
'Who did you meet at the Isle of the Blessed?' Gaius asked.
'Nimueh,' Merlin said grimly.
'Nimueh?' Gaius asks shocked.
'It was as you said. She demanded a price, but I bargained my life, not my mothers,' Merlin said.
'You shouldn't have done that,' Arthur said again.
'Yeah well I did and I'd do it again,' snapped Merlin.
'Merlin. I wish there was something I could do,' Gaius sighs.
'I will make you better. I will,' Merlin promised his mother.
Merlin returns to the dragon's cave.
'You knew this would happen! You had me trade my mother's life for Arthur's!' Merlin shouts.
'You said you would do anything,' Kilgharrah said calmly.
'Did you know my mother would die?' demands Merlin.
'I knew the price would be a heavy one,' admits Kilgharrah.
'But you sent me anyway,' Merlin shouted.
'We need Arthur to live,' Kilgharrah said.
'I'm not one of you!' Merlin shouts.
'We are both creatures of the Old Religion. It is the source of your power,' Kilgharrah reminds the boy.
'That's what you mean you're not quite human,' said Percival.
Merlin nodded.
'What's that supposed to mean?' Merlin demands.
'Your destiny is to protect the young Pendragon until he claims his crown. And when he does, magic can be returned to the realm. Only then will I be free,' Kilgharrah admits.
'That's why he's helping you,' said Arthur, 'for his own wishes.'
Merlin nodded, 'on one hand I can understand his desire to be free but in change of innocent lives…' Merlin trailed off.
'But he escaped before I became king,' Arthur added.
Merlin avoided the prince's eyes.
Gwen noticed, 'that wasn't anything to do with you was it?'
'Err, no, of course not,' Merlin lied.
'You released the dragon,' shouted, Arthur, 'do you know what you did!'
'I didn't want him to attack Camelot I had no choice in the matter,' Merlin retorted.
'Oh. So that's all you cared about? I thought you were my friend,' Merlin shouts betrayed.
'I felt the same when I found Morgana had betrayed us,' Arthur said.
'Your family betrayed you,' said Percival.
'I am more than that, Merlin. I am your kin,' Kilgharrah breathed.
'No. The only family I have is my mother, and you had me murder her,' Merlin cried.
'I didn't die,' Hunith reminded her son.
'I know,' Merlin smiled.
Arthur looked on jealously.
'Her life has not been taken in vain. We will achieve great things together, you and I,' Kilgharrah said.
'You will never be released! For what you've done, I'll make sure you never see the light,' Merlin vowed.
'Merlin!' The Great Dragon cries and breathes fire at him.]
'Merlin,' cried Hunith.
'Gescildan!' Merlin blocks the flames.
Hunith breathed a sigh of relief.
'What was that?' Arthur asked. 'And why didn't you use that in the Dragon's siege?'
'That meant shield and wasn't powerful enough to protect the Camelot,' Merlin explained. 'Only one person at a time.'
'You won't see me again,' Merlin said.
Merlin returns to Gaius' chambers.
'Where is she?' asked Merlin.
'She's sleeping,' the physician sighs.
'I have to save her,' Merlin said.
'You cannot,' Gaius reminds him.
'If the balance of the world needs a life, then Nimueh must take mine,' Merlin said.
'No,' Hunith cries, 'you're my son and I'd give my life a million times over to save yours!'
'And you're my mum, my only family, I'd go to the ends of earth to save you,' Merlin said, 'and I've done just about that,' added the warlock.
'No, Merlin,' Gaius tries to stop him.
'Yes. I will return to the island,' Merlin decides.
'You are young. Your gifts, your destiny are far too precious to sacrifice,' Gaius told him.
'My destiny? This is my mother. My powers mean nothing if I cannot save her. You have taught me so much. Taught me who I am. Taught me the purpose for my skills. Taught me that magic should only be used for great deeds. But most of all, you have always taught me to do what is right,' Merlin said.
'Merlin,' Gaius begins.
Merlin sniffs, 'I need to say goodbye to Arthur.'
'So that's what you meant,' Arthur understood.
Merlin enters Arthur's as Arthur is pouring himself a drink, his other arm in a sling, 'ah, Merlin,' the prince greets the boy.
'How are you?' asks the boy.
'Good,' Arthur says.
'I'm pleased,' Merlin smiled.
'Yes. I owe it all to Gaius,' Arthur agreed.
'I need to talk to you,' Merlin said suddenly.
'You still haven't got it yet, have you? I decide when we need to talk,' Arthur jokes.
'Not today,' Merlin said.
'I sometimes wonder if you know who I am,' the prince said.
'More than you do,' laughed Merlin.
'Oh, I know who you are,' Merlin smiled.
'Good,' Arthur said.
'You're a prat. And a royal one,' Merlin said.
'This is how you say goodbye?' asked Elyon.
'Too Arthur,' grinned Merlin.
Arthur chuckles, 'are you ever going to change, Merlin?'
'No, you'd get bored. But promise me this, if you get another servant, don't get a bootlicker,' Merlin asks.
Arthur grimaces, 'I hate bootlickers!'
'If this is you trying to leave your job-'Arthur begins.
'No. I'm happy to be your servant. Till the day I die,' Merlin finishes.
Arthur looks at Merlin, 'sometimes I think I know you, Merlin. Other times…' Arthur trails off shaking his head.
'But you know me now,' grinned Merlin.
'Finally,' Arthur sighed.
'Well, I know you. And you're a great warrior. One day, you'll be a great king,' Merlin said.
'Was that a compliment?' Arthur asked.
'It happens from time to time,' Merlin laughed.
'That's very kind of you,' Arthur said.
'But you must learn to listen as well as you fight,' Merlin added.
'Any other pointers?' Arthur asked surprised.
'No. That's it. Just...don't be a prat,' Merlin said.
Merlin enters his chamber where Gwen is sitting by Hunith's bedside.
'Gaius had to go and get some supplies. He asked me to keep an eye on her until you got back,' Gwen said.
'Thank you,' Merlin said.
'I'm sorry,' Gwen says understandingly.
'No, she'll get better,' Merlin decided.
'I've tried to make her feel comfortable,' Gwen informs the other boy.
'You have such a good heart, Gwen. Don't ever lose that,' Merlin added.
'Are you going around giving everyone pointers?' asked Percival.
'What else do you do when your about to die?' asked Merlin.
Gwen leaves and Merlin goes to sit with his mother.
'I'm going to make you well again. I promise. You'll see,' Merlin said.
'You're such a good son,' Hunith breathes.
'But I don't want you to worry about me. I know that the gods will look after me, and that one day I will see you again,' Merlin promises.
'I will miss you,' sighed Hunith.
'I thought you were saying goodbye because I was dying,' Hunith said. 'I would never let you die for me!'
'I will miss you, too,' Merlin agrees. Merlin takes out the rabbit's foot and gives it to his mother.
Merlin comes out of his room and begins packing for his trip the next morning.
'Gaius?' Merlin calls.
Merlin finds a note with his name on it. Merlin reads it while Gaius travels to the Isle of the Blessed.
'Dear Merlin, My life is already near to its end. There has, for the most part, been very little purpose to it, very little which will be remembered. In contrast, Merlin, your life is destined for greatness. Live by the tenets I have taught you, and I believe you will, in time, become the greatest warlock ever. To have known you has been my greatest pleasure, and to sacrifice myself for you is but an honour. You are and always will be the son I never had,' Gaius said while he travels the island and Merlin reads.
'No!' Merlin said shock.
Merlin rides out of Camelot.
Gaius steps out of the boat onto the island.
'I never thought I'd see you here again,' Nimueh notes.
'You've been there before?' asked Arthur.
Gaius nodded giving Arthur a strange look.
'My Lady,' Gaius said.
'It's a long time since you called me that,' Nimueh said.
'I come to ask for your help,' Gaius admits.
'As you did once before for Uther? You did not like the outcome,' reminds Nimueh.
Arthur winces, 'you asked for me to be born?'
'For Uther,' agrees Gaius. 'You're a wonderful boy but the persecution of magic is terrible.'
Arthur nodded.
'I offer a chance for you to atone for the death of his wife,' Gaius suggested.
'It wasn't anymore her fault than anyone else's,' Merlin reminded his mentor.
'It was a terrible tragedy,' Gaius agreed.
'I have saved the life of her son. What more do you ask for?' demanded Nimueh.
'That this time, you take a just price. Merlin intends to offer his life for his mother's. I want you to take mine in his place,' Gaius said.
Nimueh laughs, 'with all my powers of prediction,
'Was she a seer?' asked Merlin.
Gaius nodded.
I could never have foretold this. Gaius the hero. Why should I grant your wish? You stood and watched as our friends burned in the Great Purge. You are nothing but a traitor,' she proclaimed.
Merlin glared at the old man not liking the fact that Gaius allowed his friends to burn without trying to help them. He'd never have done that!
'Merlin is the one man who can bring magic back to this land. At Arthur's side, he can help forge a new kingdom. A world of peace and beauty that we can only dream of,' Gaius said.
'And you're willing to give your life, Gaius, for the future they will bring? I'm waiting. Are you ready to die, Gaius? Gaius?' she smirked.
Merlin frowned, 'don't,' he said knowing it was going to happen anyway.
'For Merlin I will give my life,' Gaius agrees.
Merlin approaches edge of the lake of the Isle of the Blessed, he can hear Nimueh, 'ic, séo héahsácerd, þe ácwile strengþe ealdan æwfæstnesse!'
'What?' asked Arthur.
'I the high priestess kill you by the powers of the Old Religion,' Gaius translated as Merlin was to tense to reply.
Merlin rushes onto the island, 'stop!' cries Merlin.
'Back again so soon, warlock?' questions the witch.
'What have you done?' cried Merlin.
'Your mother is safe. Isn't that what you wanted?' questioned Nimueh.
'Have you killed him?' asked Nimueh.
'It was his wish,' Nimueh said coolly.
'I bid my life for Arthur's, not my mother's, not Gaius's!' Merlin said angrily.
'But you survived,' said Gwen.
'Merlin,' was all Gaius said.
'The Old Religion does not care who lives and who dies! Only that the balance of the world is restored. To save a life, a life must be taken. Gaius knew this,' Nimueh said calmly.
'It is not the Old Religion that has done this. It is you,' Merlin replied.
'Come now. We are too valuable to each other to be enemies,' Nimueh said coolly.
'No! I share nothing with you!' Merlin retorted.
'With my help, Arthur will become King,' Nimueh said.
'You will become king without her help,' Merlin his lips curling at the mention of Nimueh.
'I will make Arthur King. But you will never see that day,' he raises his hand.
'She didn't,' added Merlin cheerfully.
'Ástríce!' Merlin incants.
'What was that?' Arthur tensed up nervously knowing Merlin would kill the woman soon.
'No "I strike",' Merlin disagreed.
Nimueh absorbs his attack.
'Your childish tricks are useless against me, Merlin. I am a priestess of the Old Religion. Forbærne! You, too, are a creature of the Old Religion. You should join me,' she suggests.
'Why does everyone think that,' muttered Merlin.
'They are obsessed with your power,' said Gaius knowledgably.
'For-bane?' asked Gwaine, 'what does that mean?'
'You think I would join forces with such a selfish and cruel magic?' demands Merlin. 'Never,' Merlin doesn't even consider it.
'Have you ever considered joining my enemies?' asked Arthur.
Merlin hesitates, 'once.'
'So be it. Ácwele!' Nimueh replies.
'What does that mean?' asked Percival.
'Destroy,' Merlin replies.
The spell hits Merlin.
'Pity. Together we could've ruled the world,' sighed Nimueh.
'I don't want to rule the world,' muttered Merlin.
Nimueh walks away. Merlin gets up and glares at her.
'You should not have killed my friend,' Merlin's voice was ice cold and filled with power.
Everyone in the room shivered at the sound of the warlock's voice.
'You're going to kill her,' Arthur stated.
'There's a reason why you don't mess with me,' Merlin said grim.
Merlin uses the power from the clouds to strike Nimueh down. Merlin runs to Gaius.
'You didn't even need words,' said Leon after every magical menace that he had faced as knight of Camelot he had never seen anyone so powerful as Merlin; thank goodness he was loyal to Arthur!
'Gaius! Gaius!' Merlin cries as he cradles the unconscious Gaius. 'No! No!' Merlin cries.
'Merlin,' Gaius whispers.
'Gaius,' Merlin said surprised. 'Gaius. Gaius, you're alive!' beams Merlin through the rain.
'What did you do?' Gaius asks.
'Nimueh's dead. The balance of the world has been restored,' Merlin explains.
'That's what you did,' Arthur was relieved he'd known Gaius since he was a child he didn't want him to die.
'You amaze me. You've mastered the power of life and death itself. We'll make a great warlock of you yet,' Gaius smiles.
'So you believe in me now?' asked Merlin.
'Well, I would do if...if you could stop this blasted rain,' Gaius looks up to heavens.
'Couldn't you?' asked Percival, 'you started it after all.'
Merlin shrugged, 'probably never tried.'
'Your still an idiot,' laughed Arthur.
Gaius and Merlin laugh.
In the dragon's cave the dragon roars, 'No!'
Morgana wakes from a nightmare.