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.
I brought you some extra blankets, I thought you might be cold.
I came back in with some extra blankets, there was a candle
-but I put it out. -Are you sure?
I blew it out. I swear.
Gwen's been Morgana's servant for years, if she said she blew it out, I believe her.
She could've been burnt alive.
Lightning struck the castle roof last night that could've started the fire.
-Perhaps. -What other explanation is there?
Someone started the fire deliberately.
How did they reach Morgana's chambers unchallenged?
I don't know. There are too many guards, it shouldn't be possible.
-Yet they managed to do so. -I can't explain it.
Well I can. They used magic.
Arrest all those we have under suspicion.
-That's going to take time. -My ward has been attacked.
Time is something we do not have!
What I don't understand, Morgana,
is how the fire started in the first place.
It happened so quickly. It was terrifying.
It's all right. You're safe now.
You're the only person I've told about my dreams.
-I know I can trust you, Gaius. -Yes, of course you can.
It was me. I set the room alight, I started the fire.
I don't understand, did you knock a candle over...
No, that's not what happened.
I did it just by looking at it. The flame suddenly leapt higher.
-It could've been a gust of wind. -It wasn't. It was me.
It was magic.
-My child... -I'm not a child!
Last night was an accident. It had nothing to do with you.
How could it have? I am going to draw you up
a fresh remedy that will make you feel better. I promise.
You must trust me.
I was helping clear up Morgana's chambers earlier.
Hmm?
The window was blown out into the courtyard below.
Mmm.
It's odd, isn't it? If lightning struck the window like Arthur said,
you'd think the glass would have fallen inside of the window.
It was magic. You know it was and more importantly so does she.
-Morgana knows nothing for certain. -Which makes it even worse.
She isn't sure what's happening to her and it's tearing her apart.
-What would you have me do? -Talk to her.
Tell her she'll be okay.
Tell her that her powers aren't something to be afraid of.
I can't.
-Maybe I could speak to her. -No, Merlin. You can't!
Why not? I understand what she's going through.
You must never reveal your secret, not to anyone.
-If not me, then someone else. -Who?
This is a kingdom where Magic is outlawed, or have you forgotten that?
There are those who still practice it. What about the Druids?
You said they help people like this.
Uther has vowed to destroy them. The Druids cannot help her.
-It would be suicide. -Then who can?
I will, as I have always done.
Then you need to be honest with her.
What makes you so certain that you know better than me?
Because I went through the same thing.
I know exactly how she's feeling right now.
You cannot get involved in this. No good can come of it.
I mean it, Merlin, stay out of it.
Merlin, I need you to...
-What are you hiding behind your back? -Nothing. See.
-What're you up to? -Nothing, honestly.
Arthur, I would never lie to you. I respect you far too much for that.
-You wanted me to do something? -My chain mail needs cleaning.
Oh, well, I'll see to it right away.
How is she?
I've never seen her like this before. I'm scared to leave her on her own.
Is there anything I can do to help?
I'd better get back to her.
I'll make sure she knows who they're from.
I can stay, if that would make you feel better.
-You've done so much already. -I don't mind.
I'll be fine.
Really.
Gwen?
Take the candle.
Is Gaius here?
No, he's not here at the moment, he should be back soon though.
-I need to speak to him! Where is he? -He's gone to see the king.
What's wrong?
You can trust me, Morgana, you know you can.
I'm scared, Merlin.
I don't understand anything anymore. I need to know what's happening.
Please.
Gaius, will be back soon. He'll be able to help you.
He won't. I don't want any more remedies! They won't do any good.
It's magic, Merlin.
What?
I'm your friend. You know I wouldn't make this up.
-Of course. -Then you believe me?
You think it's magic, too?
Please, Merlin, I just need to hear someone say it,
so I don't have to keep feeling like I'm imagining it.
I really wish there was something I could say.
Morgana!
Morgana! Wait!
I need your help. Do you know where the Druids are?
First you must tell me why you seek them.
-That doesn't matter. -It does to me.
I need to ask them something.
I've lived more than 1,000 years,
seen civilizations rise and fall.
Do not believe that you can lie to me.
I need their help.
Someone I care about needs their help.
You speak of the witch, the Lady Morgana.
She's not a witch! She's my friend.
-She cannot be trusted. -What makes you say that?
-It would be better if the witch... -Stop calling her that!
It would be better if the witch never knew the true extent of her powers.
You're wrong. I know her, she has a good heart.
You've failed to heed my advice in the past
-and it brought grave consequences. -I won't abandon her!
I will not give you the help you seek.
If you pursue this course of action, you do so alone.
Are you sure this is all of them?
Names and last known dwelling places.
My father suspects the fire was started by sorcery.
Indeed, Sire. I've included the details
of everyone we suspect of consorting with sorcerers, witches or Druids.
Gather the men. We'll arrest them immediately.
I thought I told you to do that yesterday.
I didn't have time, I was cleaning the stables.
That's strange, because a little bird told me you were somewhere else.
Mucking out the stables is strange and a talking bird isn't?
Merlin, what've we said about you being funny?
I shouldn't.
So where are my flowers?
Your flowers?
I heard Morgana got some.
I assumed you'd be putting them in all the rooms.
Or is she the only one to receive a token of your affections?
Yes. Uh, no, no. Uh, what?
It's not a token of anything. Affection or otherwise.
I see. So why were you trying to hide them from me yesterday?
I wasn't... I mean, I was, I just... I didn't want you to get the wrong impression.
What's the right impression?
That I was trying to cheer her up after the fire.
Pick them yourself?
Maybe.
I was only trying to be nice.
Sword.
That'll be all.
-Move and I kill you. -Forridel?
-Who are you? -There is no time to explain,
we have to get out of here.
-The king's men are coming for you! Check in there.
Open in the name of the king!
How did you know they were coming for me?
-I'm Prince Arthur's servant. -You took a great risk.
-Thank you. -I'm sorry I couldn't help them all.
-We'd better go. -No wait. I need your help.
-I'm looking for a way to contact the Druids. -I wouldn't know anything about them.
-You don't need to lie. -I'm not lying.
Please, if it weren't for me you'd be under arrest.
You know I'm not a spy for Uther,
I'm a friend of the Druids. I need their help.
What do you want to know?
Gaius asked me to deliver this.
I don't need any potion, thank you.
Merlin, ignore what I said last night.
I had a nightmare, I was upset.
I know. I haven't said anything to anyone.
I'm sorry, it's usually Gwen that has to deal with me when I'm like this.
I don't mind.
-Maybe I could help. -I doubt that.
You'd be surprised.
I understand.
I realize how frightening all this must be for you. Especially for you.
Why especially for me?
You're the king's ward. You know his hatred of magic better than anyone.
That's what you think has been happening to me?
The dreams, the fire. You think it was magic!
-I'm not saying that. -But it could be, couldn't it?
I really wouldn't know, but there are people who do.
-Who? -What about the Druids?
They help people like you.
None of their kind would dare show their face in Camelot.
No.
But I know where you can find them.
The guards have completed their search of the castle,
-there's no trace of her. -Encircle the city.
-No one gets in or out. -You sent for me, Sire.
Yes. What time did you deliver the sleeping draught to Morgana?
The guards said that Merlin delivered it after she retired to her chambers.
So she was safe then?
Yes, I suppose she must've been.
I didn't ask you to take this to Morgana last night.
I used some initiative. I thought you'd be pleased.
Those warning bells are ringing because Uther thinks
that Morgana's been kidnapped.
And you don't seem overly concerned.
She can look after herself.
-Merlin, what've you done? -What you refused to.
I helped her!
This ends now! People's lives are at risk, Morgana's included.
Where is she?
She's gone to the Forest of Ascetir to find the Druids.
-I told you not to get involved! -I had to because
you wouldn't acknowledge she had magic!
-For good reason! -No. You don't understand.
You don't understand what it's like.
The years before I came here were the loneliest of my life.
Morgana is the King's ward,
her situation is completely different to yours.
I know. I've got you. She hasn't.
I've always taken good care of Morgana.
It's not the same.
Everything that's good and right about magic I've learnt from you.
I'd be lost without you, Gaius.
Like she is now.
Do you understand why I did it?
Yes, I do.
But that doesn't mean I don't fear the consequences.
-Have all the suspects been arrested? -Nearly. A few have gone to ground.
Issue a proclamation. All the prisoners will be executed
unless the Lady Morgana is returned to Camelot.
I'll see to it, Sire.
Come on, Merlin! Out of your bed, you'll be late for work.
Merlin?
I'm not going to hurt you.
You've hurt your leg, try not to move it.
-What happened? -You were stung by a Serket.
I came to help. My name's Aglain.
Relax, Morgana.
-You're safe now. -Who told you my name?
I did.
You.
When the Serket attacked last night,
Mordred was able to sense your distress
with his mind.
Hello, Morgana.
Did you hear that?
How did you do that?
We don't always need words to speak to one another.
Now I can take care of you, like you did me.
There's some confusion as to how that was broken,
-by the looks of the scorch marks... -There is no confusion. It was magic.
The same magic that was used to start the fire in Morgana's chambers.
-Where does the trail lead? -To the Forest of Ascetir.
I've long suspected that the Druids have hidden there.
The trail will lead us straight to them.
Take no prisoners. It is time we rid ourselves
of these Druids once and for all.
-Where's Merlin? -He's not well.
He's still upset about Morgana, isn't he?
-We all are. -Tell him to stop pining,
pull himself together and get back to work.
Hello?
Is there anybody there?
What would you like to know?
-Is there any word from Arthur? -No, Sire, not yet.
-But they haven't been gone long. -Yes, of course.
Why are you so certain that she's been kidnapped?
What other possibility is there?
She was upset after the fire. She could've gone of her own accord.
That's not Morgana.
In all her years, I've never known her run away from anything.
Takes after her father too much for that.
You haven't let Gorlois down.
You've looked after that girl as if she were your own.
That is what she has become.
If she were to die, a huge part of me would die with her.
-I trust you slept well. -Better than I have done in days.
Here, this might make you feel more at home.
They're surprised to see you here, if not a little afraid.
Your king would have us killed.
They have nothing to fear from me.
I do not share Uther's hatred of magic.
No, I imagine you wouldn't.
These forests are dangerous. What brings you so far from Camelot?
I'm searching for answers.
I hoped the Druids might be able to give them to me.
Come.
Keep moving!
This way.
What would you like to know?
Why I can see the future in my dreams?
Why I'm able to start fires with my mind?
People who are able to do this are few and far between.
You have a gift.
Is it magic?
Of a kind, yes.
But it will take many years before you're able to understand it fully,
let alone use it.
This isn't something to be afraid of.
It is if you have Uther as your guardian.
If he found out he'd have me killed.
-He won't. -But if he did.
We won't let that happen. You're safe here.
You shouldn't be scared of Uther, you should pity him.
Pity, why?
Because he's a broken man, consumed by fear.
His hatred of magic has driven goodness from his heart.
I've always been taught that magic is evil.
That it corrupts your soul.
Uther told you this.
Just because he decrees it, doesn't make it so.
In time you will learn
that magic isn't a dark art that must be shrouded in secrecy.
It can be a force for good.
Remember the king's orders.
No prisoners.
Merlin! What're you doing here?
I've come to take you back to Camelot.
Then I'm afraid you've had a wasted journey.
-I'm never going back. -You have to!
Why? You're the one who said I should seek out the Druids.
I never realized what the repercussions would be.
What repercussions?
The king thinks you've been kidnapped.
He won't stop until you're found. He's arrested dozens of people.
He's going to execute them all.
If I return the same fate awaits me.
Uther doesn't need to know, I won't tell a soul.
I'm sorry. I'm never going back.
These are my people, they're like me.
I don't feel so alone here.
Do you understand?
Better than anyone.
Morgana, we must go.
Who are you?
It's all right. He's a friend. What's wrong?
Arthur and his men are coming.
Your friend has led them straight to us.
Hello, Emrys.
This way!
-We've got to keep moving. -My leg, it's too painful.
-I'll try to create a diversion. -No, Merlin, you can't.
You carry on. It's my fault they're here. Go! Go!
-I'll never forget this. -Come.
There!
Over there!
-I can't go on. -We're not leaving you behind.
Please.
They're coming!
-We have her. -We have the Lady Morgana!
I was so, so worried about you.
You were right. It was the Druids. They kidnapped her.
-Merlin. -My lady.
I wanted to check you were okay.
I'm fine.
What was said at the woods...
You can trust me, Morgana, I won't tell anyone.
Thank you, Merlin.
I know now who I really am
and it isn't something to be scared of.
Maybe one day people will come to see magic as a force for good.
Um...
It's good to have you back.
Thank you, Merlin.
Sleep well.
This has to stop.
The king would have your head if he found out
and there's no point denying it.
Denying what?
Your affections for the Lady Morgana.
Right.
Take a bit of advice from someone who knows about women.
If such a person existed, I would.
Stick to girls who are more, how can I put it,
-on your level. -Thanks.
She can't be your friend,
let alone anything else.
Yeah. I know.
You can't hide anything from me, Merlin.
Wouldn't dream of it.
I'm sorry, Gaius.
-I thought you'd be angry with me. -I was.
Right up to the moment you walked in.
Then I was just grateful to have you back safe and sound.
Morgana knows the truth. The Druids told her that she has magic.
I'm sorry.
It's not your fault.
You were only doing what you thought was right.
We both were.
-What happens now? -We must take care of her
and hope that Uther never discovers the truth about her powers.
Merlin.
Morgana's party hasn't returned yet. There's no sign of her.
Where's Guinevere?
How can I admit that I think about her all the time?
Lancelot.
I would die for you one hundred times over.
Release the wilddeoren!