The Poisoned Chalice Merlin

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.

SHE CHANTS A SPELL

..Camelot...

Merlin.

Camelot welcomes you, Lord Bayard of Mercia.

The treaty we sign today marks an end to war

and a beginning to a new friendship between our people.

Why do I always get the donkey work?

You're a servant. It's what you do.

My arms'll be a foot longer when I finish.

It's character-building.

As the old proverb says, hard work breeds...

..a harder soul.

Proverb! You just made that up.

I didn't!

- Sorry. - That's all right.

- Excuse me. - I'll give you a hand.

Hi.

- I'm Merlin. - Cara.

You're Arthur's servant.

- That must be such an honour. - Oh, yeah. It is.

Well, someone's gotta keep the place running.

- Thank you, Merlin. - Hmm?

Oh, right! Yeah.

Uh, no problem.

It was nice meeting you.

Shouldn't you be busy running the place?!

HE LAUGHS

SHE CHANTS A SPELL

Ugh! When's the last time these were cleaned?

Last year. Before the feast of Beltane.

- Did it end in a food fight? - Don't all feasts?

I wouldn't know.

The airs and graces of the court are a mystery to me.

Not tonight, they won't be.

I'm gonna be at the banquet?

Not quite.

You'll be there to make sure my cup doesn't run dry.

If I have to sit through Bayard's boring speeches,

I don't see why you should get out of it.

Be sure to polish the buttons.

Do you want to see what you'll be wearing tonight?

Won't this do?

No.

Tonight, you'll be wearing the official ceremonial robes

of the servants of Camelot.

You can't be serious.

- Nice hat. - Thanks.

She's pretty, isn't she?

For a handmaiden, I mean.

Pretty for a princess, let alone a handmaiden.

Mmm.

BAYARD: People of Camelot, for a great many years,

we have been mortal enemies.

Our blood stains the ground

from the walls of Camelot to the gates of Mercia.

And though we remember the dead,

we must not allow any more to join them.

As a symbol of our goodwill, and of our new-found friendship,

I present these ceremonial goblets

to you, Uther,

and to your son, Arthur,

in the hope our friendship may last.

Merlin, I need to speak to you.

- What is it? - Not here, please.

I don't know who else to tell.

BAYARD: Tonight, we toast a new beginning for our peoples.

We look to a future free from the toils of war.

When he gave Arthur the goblet, I knew.

Whoa. Start from the beginning.

Two days ago, I brought Bayard his meal.

He wasn't expecting me to walk in...

What are you saying?

If he knows I spoke, he'll kill me.

I will not let that happen, I promise.

- Tell me what you saw. - Bayard is no friend of Camelot.

He craves the kingdom for himself.

Cara...tell me, what has Bayard done with the goblet?

He believes if he kills Arthur,

Uther's spirit will be broken and Camelot will fall.

The goblet?

- He put something in it. - What?

- I shouldn't. He'll kill me. - Please tell me.

Is it poison?

BAYARD: And may the differences from our past remain there.

To your health, Uther,

Arthur,

the Lady Morgana...

..the people of Camelot

And to fallen warriors on both sides.

MERLIN: Stop! It's poisoned. Don't drink it.

- What? - Merlin, what are you doing?

Bayard laced Arthur's goblet with poison.

This is an outrage!

UTHER: Order your men to put down their swords. You're outnumbered.

I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged.

UTHER: Unless you want to be strung up,

you'll tell me why you think it's poisoned - now.

- He was seen lacing it. - By whom?

I can't say.

- I won't listen to this any more. - Pass me the goblet.

If you're telling the truth...

- I am. - ..then you have nothing to fear.

No...

He'll drink it.

ARTHUR: But if it is poisoned, he'll die.

Then we'll know he spoke the truth.

What if he lives?

You have my apologies - do with him as you will.

He doesn't know what he says.

You should have schooled him better.

Merlin, apologise. This is a mistake.

- I'll drink it. - No, no, no. It's all right.

It's fine.

He's all yours.

UTHER: It's poison. Guards, seize him!

Merlin, can you hear me?

We have to get him back to my chambers.

Bring the goblet. I need to identify the poison.

Lay him on the bed, quickly. He's struggling to breathe.

Gwen, fetch me some water and a towel.

Is he gonna be all right?

- He's burning up. - You can cure him, can't you, Gaius?

I won't know until I can identify the poison. Pass me the goblet.

Ah. There's something stuck on the inside.

What is it?

Looks like a flower petal of some kind.

- He's on fire. - Keep him cool.

It'll help control his fever.

Ah. The petal comes from the morteaus flower.

It says, "Someone poisoned by the morteaus can only be saved

"by a potion made from the leaf of the very same flower.

"It can only be found in the caves deep beneath Balor forest.

"The flower grows on the roots of the morteaus tree".

- That's unfriendly. - Cockatrice. It guards the forest.

Potent venom. A single drop means certain death.

"Few who've crossed the mountains of Isgaard in search of morteaus

"have made it back alive".

- Sounds like fun. - It's too dangerous.

If I don't get the antidote, what happens?

The morteaus induces a slow and painful death.

He may hold out four, maybe five days, not for much longer.

Eventually, he will die.

MERLIN MOANS

I am sorry I haven't been here to attend to you.

I'm all right. How's Merlin?

If Arthur returns with the antidote, he'll be fine.

Then he'll be fine. SHE SIGHS

You should be with him. I'll manage.

I know what he means to you. Go.

Thank you.

What's the point of having tasters if you're going to get killed?

- I won't fail. - You are my only son and heir.

I can't risk losing you for a serving boy.

- His life's worthless? - Worth less than yours.

Let me take some men. We'll find the antidote.

- No! - Why not?

One day, I will be dead and Camelot will need a king.

Don't jeopardise this kingdom's future.

Gaius says that if we...

Oh, Gaius says?! That's exactly what makes it so.

Please, Father. He saved my life.

I can't stand by and watch him die.

Then don't look.

This boy won't be the last to die on your behalf. You're to be king.

- Get used to it. - I can't accept that.

- You're NOT going. - You can't stop me.

That's it! You're not leaving this castle tonight.

Say what you like about the food

but you can't beat our feast for entertainment.

- Are you all right? - Disappointed.

I was looking forward to a clumping.

- Guards could've handled Bayard. - Let them have all the fun?

You shouldn't get involved. It's dangerous.

Spare me the lecture. I've had it from Uther.

- You weren't the only one. - Not that I listen to him.

Sometimes you must do what you think is right.

- You think I should go. - Doesn't matter what I think.

If I don't return, who will rule Camelot?

There's more than just my life at stake.

What kind of king would Camelot want?

One that would risk his life for that of a lowly servant?

Or one who does what his father tells him to?

HORSE CANTERS

GUARD: Halt! No!

He's getting hotter.

MERLIN MUMBLES

- What language is that? - None. The fever's taken hold.

None of those words are his own. His pulse is weaker.

- What is it? - That can't be right.

The rash isn't supposed to appear until the final stage.

What does that mean?

It says that once a rash appears, death will follow within two days.

- You said four days. - Something's increased the potency.

It warns that "the effect will be more rapid

"if an enchantment is used during preparation".

- Enchantment? Bayard's no sorcerer. - No, he isn't.

Then who did this?

It can't have been.

She wouldn't dare come here.

- Unless... - Unless what?

- What happened to that girl? - Which girl?

Before Merlin burst into the hall,

Bayard's servant girl took him outside.

- She had dark hair. Very beautiful. - Find her. Quickly.

MERLIN: (Arthur...)

- I ordered him not to go. - Worked like a charm.

- Not another word. - My lips are sealed.

Should have put him under lock and key.

- You can't chain him up. - Just you watch me.

I won't be disobeyed by my son!

No. Of course you won't.

You knew about this, didn't you?

Morgana...

Don't lie to me.

Arthur's old enough to decide.

- He's just a boy. - Have you seen your son recently?

You have to let him make his own mind up.

Even if it means letting him go to his death?

GASPING

Let me guess, she wasn't there?

No-one has seen her since the banquet.

- Who is she? - Not who she claims.

- You know, don't you? - Cara.

Though, that's not her name. Not her real name.

- Then who is she? - A powerful sorceress.

We should tell Uther. He could send riders after her.

She'd be long gone. Impossible to know where.

- Oh, no. - What?

She knows the only place an antidote will be found is Balor forest.

Arthur could be walking into a trap.

GASPING Arthur.

Arthur. Ohh.

GROWLING & HISSING

MUMBLING

SHE SOBS

ARTHUR: Hello?

SHE SOBS

Are you all right?

SHE SCREAMS

ROARING

Stay back.

BEAST GROWLS >

IT ROARS

BLADE WHIRRS

SQUELCHING & GROANING

It's all right. I'm not going to hurt you.

Who did that to you?

My master.

I ran away from him but then I got lost.

Please don't leave me.

I won't. I'm not going to.

- You can take me away from here? - Not yet.

There's something I have to do first.

- Why have you come to the caves? - I'm looking for something.

It can only be found here.

What is it?

I know this place. I could help you.

It's a type of flower that grows inside the cave. It's very rare.

The morteaus flower? I know where they are.

I'll show you.

HORSE WHINNYING

Arthur, it...it's a trap.

It's a trap.

- Fever's getting worse, isn't it? - The poison's setting in.

MERLIN SPEAKS GIBBERISH

Shh.

- Could you fetch more wolfsbane? - Yes, of course.

Merlin, you must fight it.

There they are.

ROCKS CRUMBLING

Keep back from the edge.

Don't worry. We'll be out of here soon.

SHE CHANTS A SPELL

CRUMBLING

LOUD CHANTING - What are you doing?!

Ohh!

GRUNTING

I expected so much more.

Who are you?

The last face you'll ever see.

GRUNTING

HISSING

It seems we have a visitor.

Arggh!

SPITTING

Very good.

GRUNTING

< But he won't be the last.

I'll let his friends finish you off, Arthur Pendragon.

It's not your destiny to die at my hand.

Who are you?!

GRUNTING

Arthur. It's too dark.

Too dark.

HE CHANTS SPELL

Merlin.

What are you doing?

PANTING

Come on, then. What are you waiting for?

Finish me off!

Arggh! Oh!

Leave them, Arthur.

ECHOING HISSING

SCUTTLING

MERLIN: Go. Save yourself.

Follow the light.

Faster. Go faster.

Follow the light!

Move. Climb.

Ohh!

Inform the King! Arthur has returned.

What are you doing? Let me pass.

I'm sorry, sire. You're under arrest by order of the King.

You disobeyed me.

Of course. A life is at stake. Do not let Merlin die

because of something I did. >

Why do you care? He's just a servant.

He knew the danger and what would happen

if he drank from that goblet, but he did it. He saved my life.

There's more.

A woman at the mountain knew why I was there.

I don't think it was Bayard who tried to poison me.

Of course it was.

Gaius knows what to do with this.

Put me in the stocks for a week, a month even. I don't care.

Just make sure it gets to him. I'm begging you.

ARTHUR: No!

You have to learn there's a right and a wrong way of doing things.

I'll see you're let out in a week.

Then you can find yourself another servant.

DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING

He hasn't got much longer. Arthur got the flower?

I don't know. Uther won't allow anyone to see him.

Is there nothing we can do?

Only the leaf of the morteaus can save him.

We must find out if Arthur has it.

- I could sneak in the dungeon. - That would be very dangerous.

I've got to. Merlin will die if I don't.

WHEEZING

Be careful.

Food for the prisoner.

KEYS JANGLING

Set it down over there.

Thank you.

Wait a minute.

I couldn't eat this. It's disgusting.

The state it's in, I'm not sure it's fit for anyone.

You. Wait!

Waste not, want not. We're not all as precious as our Royal Highness.

- Food for Prince Arthur. - Stay where you are!

FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING

How is he?

- Have you got the morteaus? - Here.

His breathing's worse. We must hurry.

Why have you stopped?

The poison was created with magic. We may need magic for an antidote.

But we can't. It's forbidden.

Even if we could.

I'll try and make it work without.

Oh, I need some fresh water.

HE BEGINS CHANTING A SPELL

HE CHANTS A SPELL

FIZZING

Thank you.

Hold his nose.

Swallow, Merlin.

Swallow it.

He's stopped breathing. >

What's happening?

Gaius?

His heart has stopped.

He's dead?

He can't be.

It can't be.

It was his destiny.

It's my fault.

If I'd have got here sooner, if I'd have been quicker.

No, no.

It was me.

I should've looked after him better.

It's my fault.

< Um... What happened?

Merlin! You're alive!

I'm the ghost come back to haunt you.

Sorry, I'm just...

I thought you were dead.

It's fine.

It's more than fine.

Forgive the interruption. May I speak with you?

- Not now. - It is important.

Word of Bayard's arrest got back to Mercia. We're to be attacked.

What I have to tell you may have bearing on your plans.

It will only take a moment.

- I know who tried to poison Arthur. - So do I - he's in my dungeon.

It wasn't Bayard.

The poison was magical.

I'd recognise the hand that made it anywhere.

Nimueh.

- You must be mistaken. - I wish I was.

It can't have been. We'd know her.

Her face is not easily forgotten.

She's powerful. She enchants the eye that beholds her.

- We never knew it was her. - Have you any proof?

The poison used against Merlin was made more potent by magic.

- She conspired with Bayard? - No, Bayard is innocent.

Look at what's happening? This is what she's wanted -

a war to bring strife and misery to Camelot.

How long before Bayard's armies reach our walls?

A day. Less. We should send cavalry to meet them.

Instruct your men not to leave Camelot until I give the word.

Sire.

You're making the right decision, sire.

Do you think Arthur should be told the truth about Nimueh?

OK, let the bragging begin.

How'd you manage it?

I'm not sure.

All I do know is I had help.

Someone knew I was in trouble

and sent a light to guide the way.

Who?

I don't know.

But whoever it was,

I'm only here because of them.

I'm glad you're back.

Arthur?

The woman you met in the forest,

what did she tell you?

Not much.

She was too busy trying to get me killed.

It was strange, though.

In what way?

I was at her mercy.

She could've finished me off but she chose not to.

She said it wasn't my destiny to die at her hand.

You must have been scared.

Had its moments.

Those who practise magic know only evil.

They despise and seek to destroy goodness wherever they find it,

which is why she wanted you dead.

She is evil.

Sounds as if you know her.

I do.

To know the heart of one sorcerer is to know them all.

You did the right thing,

even though you were disobeying me.

I'm proud of you, Arthur.

Never forget that.

Still alive, then?

Uh, yeah, just about.

I understand I have you to thank for that.

Yeah, well, it was nothing.

A half-decent servant is hard to come by.

I was only dropping by to make sure you're all right.

Be back to work tomorrow.

Yeah, of course. Bright and early.

Arthur?

Thank you.

You too.

Get some rest.

Arthur may give you a hard time, but he's a man of honour.

There aren't many who'd risk what he did for a servant.

It all would've been for nothing if not for you.

Eat your dinner.

I don't understand why she went to the trouble of framing Bayard.

She could've killed Arthur.

Destroying Arthur and Camelot wasn't all she was after.

She knew you'd be forced to drink that wine.

It was you she wanted to kill.

Seems someone else knows you're destined for great things, Merlin.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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