The Curse of Cornelius Sigan Merlin

In a land of myth and a time of magic,

the destiny of a great kingdom rests of the shoulders of a young boy.

His name...

HEAVY BREATHING

GRUNTING

COUGHING

-THUMPING IN DISTANCE

-Oh!

Merlin!

Merlin!

Yes, sire?

Are you deaf?

-LOUD THUMPING

-I wish.

I want you to go down there and tell them to stop.

-But they're working under the king's orders.

-Yeah. And you're working under mine.

Oh...!

WHOOSHING

PANICKED YELLING

Do you know whose tomb it is?

I'm not sure.

Do you think it might be cursed?

GONG ECHOES

You've just saved my life.

PENDRAGON: Get out of my way. >

Thank you.

PENDRAGON: ..Guarded at all times. >

Idiot.

Were you born clumsy or do you work at it?

It's just one of my many gifts.

Well, this is quite a find.

You see, guys, I was right.

There is treasure to be found under Camelot.

Which of my predecessors do I have to thank for all this?

Gaius?

Er, I'd have to look into it, sire.

Well, there's plenty in here people would want to steal.

Have them secure the tomb. Guarding it is your responsibility, Arthur.

Yes, Father.

LAUGHING AND SHOUTING

So this...jewel, what size would you say it was?

About that size.

My word, really? About that size, you say. Well, I never. Here you are. Drink up.

And, er, this tomb,

I bet they got that locked up nice and safe, haven't they?

-Tighter than the King's coffers.

-Yeah. Must be a way in, though?

Only with the keys.

Right, right. Right. And who's got the keys?

LAUGHS

You must think I'm stupid. I'm not telling you that.

Course not.

A bright lad like you knows what that sort of information's worth.

We don't want everyone to see.

Believe me, this place is full of thieves and fingersmiths.

Put it inside your tunic.

And, er, careful of that fellow over there.

Which one?

Far end of the bar. See him?

He keeps on watching you.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, with the beard.

No, no.

That one.

I got my eye on him. Thank you.

So who's got the keys?

Only the prince. But don't get your hopes up.

He keeps them in his private chambers.

And there's only one person allowed in there -

his servant.

Hurry up, Merlin.

Sorry.

Oh!

WHINNYING

Merlin!

I don't understand.

-Well, there's a surprise.

-I did that girth up myself.

I think that might have been the problem.

It wasn't my fault!

Would you like me to fit the girth properly for you, sire?

Thank you.

It's an honour to be of service to the Prince.

An honour. Do you hear that, Merlin?

Allow me the honour of brushing your clothes down.

The honour.

Is there anything else I can do for you, Sire?

-Well, you can give Merlin, here, a kick up the backside.

-LAUGHING

I wouldn't wish to deprive you of the pleasure, Sir.

What's your name?

Cedric. I've come to Camelot in search of work.

Good, you can be a beater on the hunt. We're short of a man or two.

You're too kind, sire.

Here, you'll need a beater.

-Ooh!

-Oh, sorry.

KEYS RATTLING

BEATING

SNORTING

LOUD SNORTING

Flayo fago.

Who threw that?

CLEARS THROAT

-Was it you?

-Hmm.

-You've just saved my life.

-Honestly, sire, it was nothing.

I shall be forever indebted to you. You must be rewarded.

-No, no. I couldn't possibly...

-Come on.

-What do you wish for?

-I desire only one thing, sire.

-Anything.

-A position in the royal household.

Good.

-Consider it done.

-LAUGHS

-You can have that back now.

-Ooh!

Oh, sorry!

What's wrong?

I saved Arthur's life. Someone else got the credit.

Just the usual. What are you doing?

I found this inscription on the sceptre.

-What language is that?

-I don't know.

Sigan would have known many languages.

-Sigan?

-It's his tomb.

Who's he?

Merlin! He was the most powerful sorcerer to have lived.

Really?

You didn't grow up in Camelot, but for those of us that did,

Cornelius Sigan was a figure of nightmare.

Why?

Sigan's Pass.

He could change day into night.

Turn the tides, and legend has it,

his spells helped to build Camelot itself.

-What happened?

-In the end, he grew too powerful

and the king at that time ordered his execution.

If he's dead, why are you so worried?

Sigan couldn't bear the thought that his wealth and power would die with him,

so he became obsessed with finding a way to defeat death itself.

You think he might have succeeded?

Let's hope not. For all our sakes.

Gaius. What is it you want?

To seal up the burial chamber and all its contents.

-Don't be ridiculous.

-The insignia on this ring belongs to Cornelius Sigan.

I believe it to be his tomb.

-In the old religion the name Sigan means "raven".

-No wonder the riches are so great.

-Then you're aware of the legend, sire.

-Yes.

I've always enjoyed the tale of the...

arrogant sorcerer who came to an untimely end.

According to the story, Sigan cursed Camelot.

He said he would one day return and raise the city to the ground.

Gaius, you have long been my ally in the war against sorcery.

You, more than anyone, should not give into these irrational fears.

Thank you, Sire.

And Gaius,

do not spread panic amongst my people.

This is foolish superstition, nothing more.

Argh!

Gwen?

-Gwen!

-My lady! My lady, what's the matter?

It's all right, it's all right. I'm here.

I'm here. There's nothing to be frightened of.

Ssh, sh, sh.

-Is that lunch?

-No, it's breakfast.

This is lovely, Cedric.

Is there anything else that you need doing, Sire?

No, I think Cedric's got it all covered.

Oh, I regret, Sire, there is one thing I've failed to do -

er, muck out your horses.

Off you go.

I'll get the door for you.

What was this dream about?

A bird.

-What kind of bird?

-A raven.

A raven?

It was terrifying, Gaius.

-What do you think it means?

-Probably nothing.

It's happening again, isn't it?

Morgana, one raven certainly doesn't mean

that your nightmares are returning.

Sire!

Oh...

-Sire!

-What are you doing?

Nothing.

I can see that.

I wasn't sleeping. I was...

..I was just bending down.

Looking for something?

Yes.

-Perhaps we're looking for the same thing.

-What?

Oh, I don't know...the horses!

The horses?

-Oh!

-One mistake I can understand. Everyone has a bad day now and then,

but this is one thing after another!

I don't know what happened.

Sire... Please, Sire... Don't be too hard on him.

-He's a good servant. He's just... He's tired.

-I am not!

-Maybe...if he had the evening off.

-I don't want the evening off.

-A good night's rest...

-I did not fall asleep!

I'm more than willing to take over his duties tonight.

-Perhaps you're right.

-No!

-Shut up, Merlin.

Can't you see what he's trying to do? He's trying to get rid of me

-and if you weren't such a clotpole you'd see that.

-A what?

Clotpole. He said clotpole.

Cedric's right. He can look after me tonight.

-You can go home and think about whether you want to be my servant or not.

-But...

-Go!

-What's that on your face?

-Nothing.

-What's wrong?

-Nothing.

Here.

-I am not an idiot.

-What happened?

I just want Arthur to trust me.

And to see me for who I really am.

-One day he will.

-When?

Everything I do is for him and he just thinks I'm an idiot.

Not everyone thinks you're an idiot.

Although, looking at you now...

Now is not the time to be questioning these things, Merlin.

I believe that you and Arthur are destined for greatness,

and that your calling is to serve and protect him.

-It's hard.

-I know it's hard,

but Camelot is in grave peril. I've translated the inscription.

"He who breaks my heart completes my work."

What does it mean?

Do you remember the stone in the tomb, how it glowed?

-I've never seen a jewel like it.

-That's because it's not a jewel.

It's the soul of Cornelius Sigan.

-You think he's alive?

-His soul is.

But in order to truly live, a soul needs a body.

So if the stone is removed from its setting...

-then the heart is broken and the soul released?

-That's what I fear.

I'll be right outside in the anteroom should you need me.

That'll be all, Cedric.

Sleep well, Sire.

Oh, yes! Yes!

Oh, yes!

Oh, yes!

Hello, ladies!

Sound the warning bell.

Merlin.

Whoever did this got more than they bargained for.

I don't understand how they got in. The gate's not even damaged.

-They must have used a key.

-Arthur's got the only key.

Where does he keep it?

-On his belt with the others.

-Does he ever take it off?

Only when he's asleep. He keeps it next to his bed.

-Who had access to his chambers last night?

-Just me. And...

Cedric.

Cedric...

is possessed by an evil spirit.

What?

He tried to steal the jewel.

But it wasn't a jewel. It was the soul of an ancient sorcerer, Sigan.

Camelot is in mortal danger.

Sigan is using Cedric's body to take his revenge.

This nonsense isn't helping you keep your job.

You are not listening to me!

If you're going to shout anyway... Cedric!

Will you escort Merlin from the palace?

Merlin!

You've gone too far this time, Merlin.

You can spend a few days cooling off in the cells. Guards!

He's going to destroy Camelot!

I am returned.

Ic cume eft to Camelot!

Swa thaet ic maeg min faehth awrecan!

Nu ic lybbe ece

and ic maeg raedan min burh!

I want to know what this creature is, where it's come from.

There's more than one. We've had several reports.

There's panic in the lower town. People are fleeing the city.

-Then you must hunt the creatures down and kill them.

-Yes, Sire.

Have you seen what's happening?

-It is as I warned you, Sire.

-This cannot be Sigan.

-Camelot will not fall to a sorcerer while I am king.

-RUMBLING

Hello?

Regroup! Form a phalanx.

We need more bandages, Gwen.

-You shouldn't be doing this.

-It's exactly what I should be doing.

-You need rest, Morgana.

-And I'm likely to get it with all this going on?

Tospringe!

-Guinevere?

-Sire.

I'll get you something to stop the bleeding.

Gwenevere.

I wanted to say...

Just, er...

..you always surprise me.

-Is that it, Sire?

-That's it. Oh, and, er...

..thank you.

Arthur.

It's nothing.

-Have we driven the creatures out?

-They have control of the lower town.

The market has been all but destroyed.

-I'm sealing the citadel.

-You can't!

I have no choice. I have to protect those who have a chance.

If I don't, we will all fall.

-Where are you going?

-There are people trapped on the drawbridge.

I forbid you!

It's my duty to Camelot, and to myself.

Gaius!

-What are you doing here?

-I have to help Arthur.

Merlin, Sigan's power is way beyond yours.

-I don't have a choice.

-But Sigan is immortal and you are not.

-If you face him, he'll destroy you.

-There must be a way.

There is only one alive who is old enough to give us the answers we need.

What do you mean?

The Great Dragon.

You knew, then, that I used to visit him?

Yes, Merlin, of course I knew.

You're a creature of magic, just as he is.

-I hoped that he could help you.

-He helps no-one but himself.

-For Arthur's sake, you must go to him now.

-I can't.

We have no choice.

On me!

Charge!

Hello?

Hello!

Please! I need your help!

You told me I would not see you again.

I'm not here for myself. I'm here for Arthur.

Arthur's path lies with yours.

You have made it clear that you do not walk in step with me.

You cannot want Cornelius Sigan to win. You're not evil.

At least Sigan knows where his loyalties lie.

You have shown that you do not.

So you will let Camelot fall?

I did not say that.

Then you will help me?

To defeat Sigan,

you will need a spell more powerful than anything you know.

Please. I have to try.

Very well,

-but you must give me something in return.

-What?

A promise.

A promise?

That one day you will free me.

If I release you, what will you do?

That is not your concern.

I don't trust you.

Nevertheless, you must promise, or Camelot will fall.

I promise.

Now, please, give me the spell.

Close your eyes and open your mind.

Few men have ever been gifted such knowledge.

Use it wisely.

I will.

You made a promise, young warlock.

And one day... I shall keep you to it.

Arthur!

Retreat! Regroup in the square!

Arthur.

Arthur?

Arthur.

-Save yourselves! It's an order.

-Retreat, retreat!

Seal the doors!

Where's Arthur?

-Where is he? You can't leave him out there.

-RUMBLING

Who would have believed it?

You, a sorcerer.

And a powerful one.

I won't let you hurt him.

And you're going to stop me?

I'll stop you.

He does not deserve your loyalty. He treats you like a slave.

That's not true.

He cast you aside without a moment's thought...

It doesn't matter.

But it must hurt so much.

To be so put upon, so overlooked,

when all the while you have such power.

-That's the way it has to be.

-Does it?

You are young, Merlin.

Look inside yourself, you have yet to discover your true power.

I can help you.

Think, Merlin, to have the world appreciate your greatness.

To have Arthur know you for what you are.

-That can never be.

-It can. If you join me.

Together we can rule over this land.

Arthur will tremble at your voice. He will kneel at your feet.

I don't want that.

You'd rather be a servant?

Better to serve a good man than to rule with an evil one.

So be it. If you will not join me,

I will become you and your power will be harnessed to my will.

HE GROANS

Ic thin sawol her beluce.

Abide thaet ic the alyse.

HIGH-PITCHED SCREAM

Merlin?

Well done, my boy.

We must learn our lessons from these terrible events, Gaius.

-Indeed, Sire.

-They prove beyond doubt that I was right.

Magic is evil, it is our greatest threat.

I have grown complacent, Gaius.

I wouldn't say that, sire.

We must renew our efforts.

We must ensure that all sorcerers and their followers are eradicated from this Kingdom.

Of course, Sire.

-You know you won't get any thanks, Merlin.

-I'm not a complete idiot.

There you go. It's not much. But you deserve something.

KNOCK AT DOOR

I've come to see Merlin.

I've not forgotten about your lazy, insolent ways, or the fact that you called me a "clotpole",

but I do have to admit that there was some truth in your accusations against Cedric.

Does this mean you're admitting that on this occasion I was right?

Not exactly, no. It means that I have a knighthood to bestow first thing tomorrow

and no-one to clean my armour.

-All that?

-Yep!

Clotpole?

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

Email [email protected]