The Sins of the Father 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.

Hider eft funda. On thysne middangeard.

Arthur Pendragon, a great destiny awaits you.

Arise, Sir Vidor, Knight of Camelot.

Arise, Sir Caridoc, Knight of Camelot.

You have been accorded a great honour.

With that honour comes great responsibility.

From this day forth,

you are sworn to live by the Knight's Code.

You have pledged to conduct yourselves with nobility, honour and respect.

Your word is your sacred bond.

You will find no-one who better embodies these values than my son, Arthur.

Follow his example, and you will prove yourself worthy of your title.

I accept your challenge.

If I am to face you in combat, do me the courtesy of revealing your identity.

My name is Morgause.

I've searched the records going back more than 300 years.

I could find nothing to say a woman cannot issue a challenge.

There must be some way to stop to this?

According to the Knight's Rules, her challenge is perfectly valid.

It seems there is nothing we can do.

-We don't know anything about this woman. I will not let you face her in combat.

-I accepted the challenge.

If I refuse to fight, it will be seen as cowardice.

She killed five guards. You should not underestimate her.

I cannot demand that my knights uphold the code and then break it myself.

I must face her tomorrow.

Who is she?

Why would she challenge Arthur? It seems no-one's ever heard of her.

-I feel as if I've met her somewhere before.

-Really?

Where could you know her from?

I don't know.

Do you know why she challenged you?

I'm the King's son.

Perhaps she believed she will prove herself.

-Yeah, but you don't want to fight her, do you?

-I have no choice.

What is it?

You've never faced a woman in combat. What if you hesitate?

-She could use that to her advantage.

-You think she'll defeat me?

I'm just saying you need to be cautious,

because it sounds like she's pretty handy with a sword.

Since when do you know anything about combat?

I need you to take a message to Morgause for me.

If I'm seen to do it, it could be viewed as cowardice.

You must persuade her to withdraw the challenge.

-What do you want?

-I have a message from Prince Arthur.

He wants you to withdraw your challenge.

Arthur has no desire to fight you.

If you withdraw, he'll grant you safe passage from the kingdom.

Leave now, while you still can.

If Arthur has no desire to fight me, perhaps he should withdraw.

No. He'll never do that.

It's not in him to withdraw.

Then we have that in common.

If you fight him, he will have to treat you as he does any other opponent.

It won't matter that you're a woman.

I do not ask for special treatment.

Arthur has no quarrel with you.

Why would you challenge him?

My reasons are not your concern.

You gave her a chance to withdraw.

Whatever happens, you are not to blame.

The fight is by the Knight's Rules, and to the death.

I'm offering you a final chance to withdraw.

I suggest you take it.

Then you leave me no choice.

Make me a promise.

What is it you ask?

Come to me three days hence, and accept the challenge I set you.

-And the nature of this challenge?

-That is for me to decide.

Do I have your word that you will accept, no matter what?

You have my word.

You were fortunate. The wound isn't too deep.

You seem familiar. Have you visited Camelot in the past?

I was here many years ago.

I was just a baby at the time. I doubt you would remember me.

I am grateful for your help.

-It could have been worse.

-How exactly could it have been worse?

I have never felt so humiliated in my entire life.

I was defeated by a girl.

It's actually quite funny when you think about it.

-Or not.

-No.

It's like you said. I was hindered because I was fighting a woman.

I was worried I was going to hurt her. That's why she won.

You didn't look hindered.

I'll stop talking now.

KNOCKING AT DOOR

I didn't mean to intrude.

-I wanted to introduce myself. I am the Lady Morgana.

-I know who you are.

How is your arm? You were wounded.

It will heal soon enough.

You look tired.

-I haven't been sleeping.

-I know for myself how troubling that can be.

Could it be that we have met somewhere before?

I am glad we have met now.

That's a beautiful bracelet.

It was a gift...

from my mother.

Please. I would like you to have it.

-It's a healing bracelet. It will help you sleep.

-I couldn't.

You must be tired. I will leave you to rest.

I hope you will remember me fondly.

Gefultume hi thaet heo onslaepe.

Congratulations on your victory.

You are a skilful swordsman...woman. Swords...

swords-woman.

You have a beautiful horse.

I shall expect to see you three days hence.

-How will I find you?

-When the time comes, you will know your way.

If I don't show up, it might be because I don't know where I'm going.

The path you must follow will become clear to you.

I should thank you for allowing me to retrieve my sword.

I'm starting to wish I hadn't.

You showed yourself to be a man of honour.

You inherited that trait from your mother.

You knew my mother?

I knew her very well.

Wait!

Morgana? Morgana? Morgana?

I was fast asleep.

It's nearly midday.

I can't remember the last time I slept so well.

I'll fetch you some clothes.

-What is to be the nature of this challenge?

-She didn't say.

I gave her my word that I would accept it, no matter what.

You should never have made such a promise. You don't know what she might ask of you.

She had her sword to my chest. I had no choice.

Morgause said that she knew my mother.

She told you this?

Obviously, she's lying.

She's playing on your affections for your mother to lure you into a trap.

That makes no sense. She spared my life.

This confirms my suspicions. I believe Morgause is an enchantress.

How else could she have won?

-I don't believe she was using magic.

-You would know for certain if she were?

Under no circumstances will you go to meet her, or accept this challenge.

I gave her my word.

I don't care what was said to her! You will remain in Camelot.

I want to hear what she knows about my mother.

She knows nothing! She is lying.

You will not go to her. I forbid it.

-So I am to break my word?

-Escort my son to his chambers.

Under no circumstances will he be allowed to leave.

You're confining me to my chambers?!

I am protecting you from your own foolishness!

-Why are there guards outside the door?

-My father has confined me

to my chambers and has forbidden me from accepting Morgause's challenge.

Well, maybe he's got a point. You don't know what she might have asked you to do.

I gave her my word.

So I take it we're going anyway?

You're smarter than you look. Gather some supplies, we leave tonight.

Oh, and Merlin - find a way to get me out of here.

-How's Arthur?

-You mean, after being defeated by a girl in front of the whole of Camelot?

-I've seen him happier.

-I think you're enjoying this, Merlin.

-Maybe a little.

(Ic the gehatte, searobend.)

I got the supplies.

Merlin. Is it my imagination, or are you getting fat?

Are you sure you're strong enough to hold me?

I'm stronger than I look.

What are you doing? Lower the rope.

There is no more rope!

I don't know if I can hold it much longer!

Merlin, do not let go of the rope.

THUD!

Which way?

-Do you actually know where we're going?

-It's this way.

HORSE WHINNIES

Come on.

What is wrong with this horse? It's even dumber than you, Merlin.

Where are you going? I thought you said it was left.

It's not me, it's the horse!

Morgause told me. "When the time comes, you'll know your way."

So the horse knows where we're going? Great(!)

Come on, Merlin.

Merlin?

You have been guarding an empty room!

Send out a search party. Find Arthur and bring him back to Camelot.

Do you have any idea what Morgause might want with Arthur?

I'm afraid I don't.

What if Morgause challenges you to do something you don't want to do?

I'm not expecting it to be easy. That's why it's a challenge.

So you'd do anything she asks of you?

I gave her my word. It's a question of honour.

What if she challenges you to do something even less honourable than breaking your word?

Will you stop rabbiting on!

We're in Odin's territory. We could be attacked at any second.

It's strange to agree to something when you don't know what it is.

One more word out of you, Merlin, and you will be taking the challenge in my place.

Gaius. Come in.

I've brought you your sleeping draught.

I could have saved you the trouble.

I've had the best night's sleep I can remember.

-No nightmares?

-I cannot tell you what a relief it is.

I only wish I could thank Morgause for her gift.

Morgause gave you that bracelet?

She said it would help me sleep. She spoke the truth.

Gaius, what is it?

Nothing. I am merely surprised that it was so effective.

I feel as if I somehow know Morgause.

I don't see how,

but I am pleased you're feeling better.

Maybe we should turn back.

You can go back if you want to. I won't stop you.

You don't know anything about Morgause.

You don't know what she's going to ask you to do.

We don't even know where we're going. We're following a horse.

Morgause said she knew my mother.

What was your mother like?

I never knew her. She died before I opened my eyes.

I'm sorry.

I barely know anything about her.

Can't you ask your father?

He refuses to talk of her. It must be too painful for him.

Sometimes it's as if she never even existed.

I still have a sense of her,

almost as though she is part of me.

It's the same with my father. I never knew him.

And my mother has barely spoken of him.

I've got this vague memory...

It's probably just my imagination.

I would do anything for even the vaguest memory.

-Is that why you're so determined to find Morgause, to see what she knows about your mother?

-Is that so wrong?

No.

We should get some rest.

My Lord. I must speak with you.

It concerns Morgause.

-What is it?

-While I was treating her wound, I noticed that she wore a bracelet.

-Go on.

-It bore the mark of one of the great houses, the great house of Gorlois.

There is only one person other than Morgana who would have cause to wear such a bracelet.

That is, her half-sister.

I was led to believe that the child had died.

The child lived, my Lord. She was smuggled out of Camelot shortly after her birth.

How do you know this?

It was I who entrusted the child to the high priestesses of the Old Religion.

You should have told me, Gaius.

I had sworn a solemn oath, my Lord.

I am only breaking it now

-because I fear what Morgause might do.

-Does Morgana know?

-I don't believe so.

-Morgana must never find out she has a half-sister.

I will not have her loyalties divided.

Of course.

The high priestesses will have trained Morgause from birth.

Her magic will be powerful.

Then we must hope that the search party finds Arthur before he reaches her.

Seems your horse has brought us to a dead end.

-Now where's he going?

-I think you're going to get wet.

You don't say!

Arthur?

-Where are we?

-I don't know.

If we weren't sure Morgause was a sorcerer before, we can be certain of it now.

That must have been how she defeated me. She was using magic.

It didn't look like she was.

And what would you know about magic, Merlin?

Nothing.

-Now what?

-Maybe we should ask the horse.

There's no-one here.

You kept your promise.

And for that, I will grant you one wish.

Tell me what it is that your heart most desires.

You said you knew my mother. Tell me all that you know about her.

Perhaps you would like to see her.

I want that more than anything.

As you wish.

The search party were unable to pick up a trail.

There is no sign of Prince Arthur anywhere.

Re-double your efforts. Send riders to the outlying villages.

I want my son found!

Yes, my Lord.

It chills me to think what Morgause has planned for Arthur.

Had she chosen to, she already could have killed him.

I believe she has some other purpose in mind.

Morgause told Arthur that she knew his mother.

She knew Ygraine?

I don't know.

Perhaps it is a lie.

She knew it would tempt Arthur to go to her.

You think that Morgause knows the true circumstances of Arthur's birth?

I fear that more than anything.

Are you sure you want to do this?

If you were granted the opportunity, would you not want to meet your father?

Uther won't forgive you if he finds out you've collaborated with a sorcerer.

What if my father's attitude to magic is wrong?

-You really think that?

-Perhaps it's not as simple as he would have us believe.

Morgause is a sorcerer, she has caused us no harm.

Surely not everyone who practises magic can be evil?

We don't actually know why she's doing this.

It is time.

Close your eyes.

Aris mid min miclan mihte

thin suna to helpe.

Hider eft funda on thysne middangeard thin suna.

Arthur.

-Arthur.

-Mother?

My son.

When I last held you, you were a tiny baby.

I remember your eyes.

You were staring up at me.

Those few seconds I held you were the most precious of my life.

I'm so sorry.

You have nothing to be sorry for.

It is your father who should carry the guilt for what happened.

What do you mean?

It is not important. What matters is that you lived.

Why should my father feel guilty?

It is better left in the past.

You cannot leave me with more questions.

-Please.

-Your father...

He was desperate for an heir.

Without a son, the Pendragon dynasty would come to an end.

But I could not conceive.

Then how was I born?

Tell me.

Your father betrayed me.

He went to the sorceress Nimueh and asked for her help.

You were born of magic.

That's not true!

I'm sorry, Arthur.

Your father has deceived you, as he deceived me.

To create a life, a life must be taken. Your father knew that.

-No!

-He sacrificed my life so the Pendragon dynasty could continue.

It makes you no less my son, nor me any less proud of you.

Do not let this knowledge change you.

No! Bring her back!

I cannot. Once the doorway is closed, it is closed forever.

I am truly sorry that you learnt of your mother's fate in this way.

I can only imagine how it must feel to discover that your father is responsible.

It is an unforgivable betrayal.

Are you all right?

Arthur?

Fetch the horses.

We're returning to Camelot.

What are you going to do?

Merlin! I'm relieved to see that you are safe. Where's Arthur?

Arthur was born of magic. Wasn't he?

Uther used magic.

Merlin...

People should know the truth about what he has done.

How could you not tell me?

I feared what Arthur would do if he ever found out.

He's found out now.

Arthur!

Where have you been? I have had search parties out looking for you.

Arthur?

I know what you did to my mother.

Leave us.

No-one is to enter.

-What are you talking about?

-You were so desperate for an heir, you were prepared to use magic.

Did Morgause tell you this? She's lying.

My mother is dead because of your selfishness and arrogance.

-Her blood is on your hands.

-No. That's not true. But Morgause would have you believe that.

This is what fuels your hatred for those who practise magic.

Rather than blame yourself for what you did, you blame them.

You would believe a sorcerer over the word of your father?

I can only think that Morgause has enchanted you.

You have hunted her kind like animals!

Those who practise magic will stop at nothing to destroy us.

I have only done what is necessary to protect this kingdom.

You speak of honour and nobility. You are nothing but a hypocrite and a liar!

I am your king and your father, and you will show me some respect!

Have you lost your mind?

Pick it up.

Arthur, I implore you. Think about what you are doing.

Pick it up!

I will not fight you.

If you choose not to defend yourself,

I will strike you down where you stand.

You are my son. You will not strike an unarmed man.

I no longer think of myself as your son.

Then strike me down.

I do not want to fight you.

The King has forbidden anyone to enter.

Arthur! Don't! I know you don't want to do this.

You've lost one parent, do you really want to lose another?

Listen to him, Arthur.

Put the sword down.

You have caused so much suffering and pain. I will put an end to it.

Morgause is lying.

She's an enchantress. She tricked you.

That wasn't your mother you saw. It was an illusion.

Everything, everything your mother said to you,

-those were Morgause's words.

-You don't know that!

This has been her plan all along, to turn you against your father.

The kingdom will be destroyed.

This is what she wants.

Listen to him. He speaks the truth.

Swear to me that it isn't true.

Give me your word!

I swear on my life. I loved your mother.

There isn't a day that passes that I don't wish she were alive.

I could never have done anything to hurt her.

My son. You mean more to me than anything.

I'm sorry.

You are not to blame.

I am indebted to you, Merlin.

I had become...confused.

It is once again clear to me that those who practise magic are evil and dangerous.

And that is thanks to you.

Glad I could help.

My Lord.

I wanted to thank you in person for your actions yesterday.

You are a loyal servant to Arthur. I am most grateful.

-I was just doing my duty.

-You have proven yourself to be a trusted ally in the fight against magic.

-Me?

-Those who practise magic will seek to exploit Arthur's inexperience.

They will attempt to corrupt him.

You must be extra vigilant.

I'll keep my eyes peeled.

I know you will.

-Is that Uther I saw leaving?

-Yeah.

He just popped in to say hello.

Merlin. What did he want?

He wanted to thank me for being a trusted ally in the fight against magic.

How you've managed to keep that head on your shoulders is a mystery beyond our greatest minds.

Uther should be grateful.

I'm proud of you, Merlin.

Arthur's thanking me, Uther's grateful, you're proud...

I have never been this popular!

I'm almost certain it won't last.

Just let me enjoy the moment.

Aetiewe me tha the ic sece.

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