Lancelot 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.

BIRDSONG

CREATURE SCREECHING

SCREECHING, HISSING

SCREECHING

MAN SHOUTING

Run. Run!

It's gone.

You saved my life.

I'm Merlin.

Lancelot.

GROANING SOFTLY

The wound is superficial.

The fever will pass.

He should be fine by morning.

What creature could've done this?

We found no tracks in or out. What the villagers say must be true.

It has wings

-and...

-What?

..and it took no livestock -

only people.

Whatever it is, it has a taste for human flesh.

Post sentries at all the outlying villages.

Put the lookouts on full alert.

If this thing makes for Camelot, we must be ready.

Ever since I was a child, I've dreamed of coming here.

It's my life's ambition to join the knights of Camelot.

I know what you're thinking. I...I expect too much.

After all, who am I?

They have their pick of the best and bravest in the land.

-Lancelot.

-Yes.

They're going to love you.

-They are?

-Yeah.

I've seen you in action. You could shame Arthur himself.

I hardly think so.

In fact, you know what I'll do? I'll talk to him right now.

You know Arthur?

Oh, yes.

Right, you jumped-up dung beetle, this is it -

the final test.

Pass this and you're a knight at Camelot.

Fail, you face the most feared of all foes...

You face me.

Your challenge - to last one minute, free combat.

Grimond, second son of Wessex.

Your time starts now.

Ha!

SPECTATORS EXCLAIM

APPLAUSE

Take him away.

He's the third to fail this month.

How can I defend Camelot with rubbish like that?

-I might be able to help.

-You, Merlin?

You have no idea what it takes to be a knight -

courage, fortitude, discipline.

No, of course I don't, but I do know someone who does.

Yeah?

-Saved my life.

-That's blown it for starters!

-He's really good, honestly.

-I'm sure he's terrific.

-You forget Camelot's first code.

-What?

-The first code.

Only noblemen can be knights.

So unless your friend is a nobleman...

He is...a nobleman.

-Is he?

-Absolutely.

Very well. Bring him to the training ground tomorrow.

Make sure he brings his seal of nobility.

Thanks, Arthur. You won't regret it.

-Well? Did you speak to him?

-I spoke to him.

-And?

-And...

-He'd like to meet you.

-Yes!

Thank you. Thank you.

Hey, it's no problem, really. It was nothing.

You're not a nobleman, are you?

A nobleman? No.

-Why do you ask?

-It's just that...

The first code of Camelot states only noblemen can serve as knights.

Uther created the knights to protect this kingdom

from those who wish to destroy it.

He knew he'd have to trust his knights with his life.

So he chose those who'd sworn allegiance to him.

The nobility.

Thus the first code was born.

And ever since that day,

only sons of nobles have served as knights.

That is not fair!

Fair or unfair, that's the way it is.

I'm sorry, Lancelot.

Truly I am.

SIGHING

Why do you want to be a knight so much?

When I was a boy, my village was attacked by raiders.

I alone escaped.

I vowed that day

that never again would I be helpless in the face of tyranny.

I made swordcraft my life.

Every waking hour since that day I devoted to the art of combat.

When I was ready, I set forth for Camelot.

And now it seems my journey ends.

Everything I've fought for - wasted.

I give you my word, whatever it takes, I will make this right.

Homework.

HE SNEEZES

Icuis bisan raditani huhnan.

Come on, come on. Yes!

CLEARS THROAT

It's, um, a real page-turner.

-What's that?

-This is your seal of nobility.

I don't understand.

I give you Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria.

No, Merlin, no.

-So you don't want to be a knight.

-Of course I do!

The rules don't allow it? The rules are wrong.

It's a lie. It's against all they stand for.

You have as much right to be a knight as any man. I know it.

But the rules...

We're not breaking rules. We're bending them.

You get your foot in the door.

After that, you'll be judged on your merit alone.

And if you succeed, if they make you a knight,

it'll be because you have earned it, noble or not.

I can't change the way things are done here,

but you can... if you let me help you.

LANCELOT CLEARS THROAT

-This is very kind of you, uh...

-Gwen.

Gwen.

-Short for Guinevere.

-Ah.

Then thank you, Guinevere.

Don't thank me. Thank Merlin.

Merlin would do anything for anyone.

Sorry, can you raise your arms? Thank you. Sorry.

I think it's great that Merlin's got you this chance.

We need men like you.

You do?

Well, not me personally but, you know, Camelot.

Camelot needs knights.

Not just Arthur and his kind, but ordinary people like you and me.

I'm not a knight yet, my lady.

-And I'm not a lady.

-Sorry. I...

OK, we're done. I should have these ready in no time.

It's nice to meet you, Lancelot.

She seems lovely.

-Guinevere.

-Oh, yeah, yeah, she is.

And the best seamstress in Camelot, I promise.

Are you two...

..you know?

-LAUGHING:

-No. No, no.

Just friends.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

One.

Two.

Three.

You certainly look the part.

-Doesn't he just?

-I don't feel it.

That'll do for today. Well done.

Here's your chance. Go for it.

-Yes?

-Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria.

"Lance-a-lot"?

My servant mentioned you.

-Got your seal?

-Sire.

Oh!

Sluggish reactions. On a battlefield, you'd be dead by now.

Come back when you're ready.

I'm ready now, sire.

You are, are you?

Fine. You can start by cleaning out the stables.

LAUGHTER

I'm sorry about Lancelot. I could see you were upset.

Oh...you know, that's life.

You win some, you lose some.

You're taking it very well, I have to say. Very mature.

Thank you, Gaius.

DOOR OPENS

-How'd it go?

-GRUNTS

DOOR CLOSES

-He found work at the stables.

-I see.

And the truth, before I lose my temper.

He's, uh... trying out for the knights.

The first code of Camelot has never been broken.

-What have you done?

-I bent the rules.

But they're wrong, unfair.

Bent the rules using magic?

It was nothing, honestly.

It was more of a trick than actual magic.

Your magic is not a toy for you to use or abuse as you see fit.

-I know.

-Then why did you do it?

I owe Lancelot my life.

I am paying for that debt by giving him the opportunity he deserves.

If you want to punish me, go ahead.

METAL SCRAPING

Not bad.

BELLS RING

SCREAMING

You're safe now. I promise.

-How is she?

-OK.

What happened to these people?

Their village was attacked by a winged monster.

I'd hunt this thing, but I can't track it through the air.

You don't have to track it.

First Greensward, then Willowdale -

it's heading south towards the mouth of the valley.

To Camelot.

You must prepare your knights, Arthur.

Have faith, Father. We'll be ready.

The wings of an eagle

and the body of a lion.

The wings of an eagle

and the body of a lion.

The beast is heading for Camelot.

It's fast and agile, but big enough to hit and to hit hard.

Starting today on training routines,

we'll concentrate on an attack strategy.

We don't have much time.

Dismissed.

Yes, Lancelot.

Is there anything I can do, sire?

I know, in the event of battle, only a knight may serve.

That's correct and you are not yet a knight

which is why I'm bringing your test forward.

You can face me in the morning.

Well, here we are -

your final challenge.

Succeed and you join the elite.

Fail and your journey ends here.

Lancelot, fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria...

..your time starts now.

Oh!

I'm sorry.

Ohh!

CLAPPING

Shame.

Oh!

Do you submit, sire?

On your knees.

Arise, Sir Lancelot,

Knight of Camelot.

APPLAUSE

Who is this man? He seems to have come out of nowhere.

I know. He's been a bit of a surprise to all of us.

You do us a great honour, Sir Lancelot.

The knighthood is the very foundation of Camelot.

The honour is all mine, sire.

-You father would be very proud.

-Yes, sire.

I've not seen Lord Eldred for many years,

longer than I'd imagined.

Last time I saw him, he only had four sons.

Well...here I am.

Indeed you are. And I've kept you too long already.

Enjoy the celebrations.

Sire.

Take this seal to Geoffrey of Monmouth, the court genealogist.

I want his opinion by morning.

JOVIAL MUSIC PLAYS

LAUGHING

Look at him, Gaius. Does Lancelot not deserve this moment?

I never said he didn't.

But destiny and deserts are not the same thing.

You played God. You set him on a path of your choosing.

You brought him triumph but the future is uncertain.

I don't know what it said in your invitation, but in mine,

it said "celebration".

Point taken.

-Don't come back too late.

-All right.

Here's trouble.

Tell me, do you think her...beautiful?

Yes, sire, I do.

Yeah, I suppose she is.

You know what?

I think our Sir Lancelot might have eyes for you, Gwen.

-Don't be silly.

-What if he did? Would it be so bad?

-He's not really my type.

-Well, there's a surprise.

Sometimes I wonder if you'd know your type

if he was standing right next to you.

You're probably right.

Oh.

BANGING

Ladies and gentlemen,

please join me

in a toast to our new recruit,

our new knight of Camelot, Sir Lancelot.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Good morning. Don't look at it, don't smell it, just down it in one.

Whoa!

Better? Good.

Can't have you nodding off first day on the job, Lancelot.

"Sir" Lancelot, if you don't mind.

DOOR OPENS

-What are you doing?

-King's orders.

Stop!

-UTHER:

-Tell him what you told me.

These credentials are faked.

The seal itself is faultless.

Forgery of the highest standard, but a forgery.

There is no record of a fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria.

-Therefore, he...

-Lied.

Do you deny it?

No, sire.

You've broken the first code of Camelot.

You've brought shame upon yourself and upon us.

You're not worthy of knighthood.

You never were and you never will be.

Get him out of my sight.

Sire...

Do you contest my judgment?

His deception was inexcusable.

But he meant no harm, sire, I'm sure of it. He only wished to serve.

The first code is a sacred bond of trust.

It is what binds the knights together.

How can you trust a man who's lied to you?

I don't know what to say to you, Lancelot.

-You're not to blame.

-I am.

I pushed you.

-I made you lie.

-The choice was mine.

My punishment is mine to bear alone.

I wish there was something I could do.

There is. You can stop blaming yourself.

-Merlin?

-Don't say "I told you so."

I have no wish to gloat. What's done is done.

Here, come and take a look at this.

I've realised my mistake.

I'm looking for the creature in the wrong place,

the records of living things in the kingdom.

What about creatures only recorded in legend? In myth?

-And I discovered this.

-That is it! That's the monster!

BELLS TOLL

SCREECHING

On me! On me!

SCREECHING

Defence!

SCREECHING

What's happening?!

SCREECHING

CHARGE!

SHOUTING

SCREECHING

You said your knights were the best in the land.

You proved that today.

-All I know is it's still out there.

-Let's not wait for it.

The kingdom has been menaced for too long. We finish this now.

-Sire, if I may?

-Gaius?

I've researched this creature, sire.

-I believe it to be a griffin.

-A griffin? What's in a name?

-It's a creature of magic.

-I don't have time for this.

It is born of magic, sire, and it can only be killed by magic.

You are mistaken. It's a creature of flesh and blood.

-Arthur proved that.

-I'm not so sure.

There may be some truth in what he says.

-What truth?

-The griffin was unharmed. Our weapons were useless.

Useless? I think not.

No. It's tasted our steel once. The next time will be its last.

When will your knights be ready to ride again?

An hour, maybe two.

Good. We finish this tonight.

Is it true...that the griffin can only be killed by magic?

Yes, I'm certain of it.

If Arthur rides out against it, he'll die.

Then he must be stopped. Uther must see reason.

Where magic is concerned, our king is blind to reason.

And yet, magic is our only hope.

You're not suggesting...

It is your destiny, Merlin.

The true purpose of your magic.

You saw it, Gaius. I can't go up against that thing.

But if you do not, then Arthur will surely perish.

No, no. This is madness.

I don't have magic that powerful. There must be another way.

It's the only way.

Do you even care about me? "Do this Merlin! Do that Merlin!

"Kill the griffin, Merlin!"

Merlin!

Merlin...you are the only thing I care about in all this world.

I would give my life for you without a thought.

But for what?

I cannot save Arthur.

It is not my destiny. You know.

I am sorry.

I don't know what else I can say.

Then I'll say it for you.

We have two hours to find a way to kill that thing.

I should have known. How could I have been so stupid?

You don't look like a knight!

-I'm sorry.

-I'm sorry, too.

Because you fight like a knight.

And I need...

Camelot needs...

The creature...

We could not kill it.

-I have never faced its like.

-I faced it myself, sire.

Some days past. I struck it full square.

I wondered how it endured.

There are those that believe this creature, this griffin,

is a creature of magic,

that only magic can destroy it.

Do you believe this?

It doesn't matter what I believe. The use of magic is not permitted.

The knights must prevail with steel and sinew alone.

-Sire...

-There's a horse waiting outside.

Thank you. Thank you, sire.

Lancelot...

..take it and never return to this place.

No.

No, please, it's not my freedom I seek.

-I only wish to serve with honour.

-I know.

-Then let me ride with you.

-I cannot.

Father knows nothing of this. I release you, but can do no more.

Now go before I change my mind.

There.

You must do this for Arthur.

I've never cast a spell of enchantment this powerful.

Nothing less will kill it.

Here. Try.

You have it within you.

I know you do.

Bregdan anweald gafeluec.

Don't worry, Merlin.

We've plenty of time.

KNOCK AT DOOR

-Sorry to disturb you, my lady.

-What are you doing here?

There's no time. I need weapons, armour.

-What's it about?

-Arthur's in peril.

I must do what I can to protect him. It's my duty, knight or not.

-You believe that, don't you?

-Yes, my lady.

Lancelot, I don't believe I've ever met your like before.

Guinevere, if I should not return...

Don't go, Lancelot. Please.

But go I must.

It's time.

Bregdan anweald gafeluec.

Bregdan anweald gafeluec.

Don't worry, Merlin, I know you're trying.

-And failing. If Arthur dies because I'm not good enough...

-Merlin!

Merlin! Lancelot's riding out to kill the griffin!

He's what?

Merlin!

-I'm coming with you.

-No, you're not.

-Try and stop me.

-You're not a soldier.

Arthur needs all the help he can get. Now let's go.

SCREECHING

For Camelot!

ALL: For Camelot!

MEN SCREAM

GRIFFIN SCREECHES

METAL CLANGING

SCREAMS

Arthur!

Well?

He's alive.

GRIFFIN SCREECHES

SCREECHING

OK, Merlin. It's now or never.

HORSE WHINNIES

Bregdan anweald gafeluec.

Bregdan anweald gafeluec.

Bregdan anweald gafeluec.

Bregdan anweald gafeluec.

ELECTRICAL CRACKLING

Yes!

< GROANING

-Lancelot.

-Sire.

You did it!

You killed it, Lancelot!

-You did it?

-I did it.

Thank God!

-You did it, my son. You did it!

-Not I, Father. It was Lancelot.

What's he doing here?

Father, I can explain.

You! Wait outside.

< You had no right to...

DOOR SLAMS

-What are they doing?

-Deciding my fate.

I released him. I'll take the blame.

But surely Lancelot's actions change things.

They change nothing. He broke the code!

He laid down his life for me!

He served with honour.

I see you feel strongly about this, Arthur.

Under the circumstances, a pardon, perhaps.

No. Not good enough, Father.

You must restore Lancelot to his rightful place

as a knight of Camelot.

Never!

The law is the law.

The code bends for no man!

Then the code is wrong!

They'll restore your knighthood, of course they will.

-You killed the griffin.

-But I didn't kill it.

You did.

That's ridiculous.

"Bregdan anweald..."? I heard you.

I saw you.

Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me.

But I cannot take credit for what I did not do.

No more lies. No more deceit.

-What are you going to do?

-The only thing I can do.

-What is this?

-Let me speak!

Wait! I'll hear him.

Forgive me, sire.

I've come to bid you farewell.

What is this, Lancelot?

I lied to you both, and now there is conflict between you.

I cannot bear that burden, as you should not bear mine.

I must start again, far from here.

Then maybe one day fate shall grant me another chance

to prove myself a worthy knight of Camelot.

But, Lancelot, you've already proved that to us.

But I must prove it to myself.

Your Highness.

Prince Arthur.

Gwen? Guinevere?

-Lancelot?

-Oh!

Yes.

Come, Gwen. Busy day ahead.

Yes, my lady...

Perhaps you were right, Gaius.

I should never have got involved.

No, Merlin. I was wrong.

Lancelot needed you and you needed Lancelot.

Your destinies were entwined.

-Will he ever return?

-That I cannot say.

Till next time, then...

Sir Lancelot.

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