Original subtitles

[Dragon] 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.

[birds chirping]

[cawing]

[man shouting]

Run. Run.

It's gone.

You saved my life.

I'm Merlin.

Lancelot.

[theme music playing]

Hmm, the wound itself is superficial.

The fever will pass.

He should be fine by the morning.

What creature could have 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 should make for Camelot

we must be ready.

[Lancelot] Ever since I was a child

I've dreamed of coming here.

It is my life's ambition

to join the knights of Camelot.

I know what you're thinking.

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?

I've seen you in action.

You could shame the great Arthur himself.

I hardly think so.

In fact, you know what I'm going to do?

I'm going to talk to him right now.

You know Arthur?

Oh, yes.

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

Your final test.

Pass this and you're a knight of Camelot.

Fail and you're no one.

You face the most feared of all foes--

The ultimate killing machine.

You face me.

Your challenge is to last one minute in free combat.

Grimond, second son of Wessex…

Your time starts now.

[crowd applauding]

Take him away.

Grimond's the third to fail this month.

How am I meant to defend Camelot with rubbish like that?

I think I might be able to help.

You, Merlin?

You haven't the faintest idea what it takes to be a knight--

Courage, fortitude, discipline.

No no, of course I don't.

But I do know someone who does.

-Yeah? -He saved my life.

That's blowing it for starters.

No no no, he's really good, honestly.

That's great Merlin. I'm sure he's terrific.

But you forget the first code of Camelot.

The what?

The first code-- Only those of noble blood can serve as knights.

So unless your friend is a nobleman--

He is a nobleman.

-Is he? -Absolutely.

Very well.

Bring him to the training ground tomorrow.

And make sure he brings his seal of nobility.

Thanks, Arthur. You won't regret it.

Well? Did you speak to him?

-Yeah, I spoke to him. -And?

And…

-He said he would like to meet you. -Yes!

Thank you. Thank you.

It's no problem, really. It's nothing.

You're not a nobleman by any chance, are you?

A nobleman? No.

Good lord, no. Why do you ask?

It's just that--

The first code of Camelot states

that only those of noble blood can serve as a knight.

Uther created the knights to protect this kingdom

from those who wished to destroy it.

He knew he would have to trust each of his knights with his life.

So he chose them from the families

-that had sworn allegiance to him. -The nobility.

And thus the first code of Camelot was born.

And ever since that day

only sons of noble families have served as knights.

That is not fair.

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

I'm sorry, Lancelot.

Truly I am.

Why do you want to be a knight so much?

When I was a boy my village was attacked

by raiders from the northern plains.

They were slaughtered where they stood--

My father, my mother--

Everyone.

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.

And 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'll make this right.

Homework.

[sneezes]

[recites incantation]

It's a real page-turner.

What's that?

This is your seal of nobility.

-I don't understand. -Ladies and gentlemen,

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

No, Merlin, no.

Oh, so you don't want to be a knight then.

Of course I do.

But what? The rules don't allow it?

Damn the rules. The rules are wrong.

But it's a lie.

It is against everything the knights stand for.

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

I know it.

But the rules, Merlin.

We're not breaking the rules.

We're bending them, that's all. You get your foot in the door.

But after that you will 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 around here.

But you can,

if you'll let me help you.

[clears throat]

This is very kind of you, uh…

-Gwen. -Gwen.

Short for Guinevere.

Then thank you, Guinevere.

Oh, don't thank me. Thank Merlin.

Merlin would do anything for anyone, wouldn't you, Merlin?

Sorry, can you raise your arms?

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.

Well, I am not a knight yet, my lady.

And I'm not a lady.

Sorry, I--

Okay, we're done.

I should have these ready in no time.

It was 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…?

[laughs]

Oh, no no.

Just friends.

One, two,

three, four.

One, two,

three…

Well, you certainly look the part.

-Doesn't he just? -I don't feel it.

Okay, 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.

Sluggish reactions.

On the 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.

[knights laugh]

I'm sorry about Lancelot. I can 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.

-How'd it go? -[grunts]

He found work at the stables.

I see.

And the truth, before I lose my temper?

He's trying out for the knights.

The first code of Camelot has never been broken for any man.

What have you done, Merlin?

Okay, I bent the rules a little.

But the rules are wrong. They're unfair.

You bent the rules. Using magic?

It was nothing, honestly.

It was more of a trick than actual magic.

Your magic is not a toy, Merlin.

It's not for you to use or abuse as you see fit.

I know, I know.

-Then why did you do it? -I owe Lancelot my life.

I'm paying for that debt the only way I can,

by giving him the opportunity he deserves.

If you want to punish me for it, go ahead.

Not bad.

Would you like me to sweep the guardhouse again, sire?

It certainly needs sweeping.

But first I'd like you to kill me.

Sire?

Come on.

Don't pretend you don't want to.

Hell, if I were you, I'd want to.

Come on.

Come on, Lancelot. You're not beating a carpet.

[grunts]

Congratulations, Lancelot.

You just made basic training.

-[bell towers ringing] -[people screaming]

You're safe now. I promise.

-How is she? -Okay.

What happened to these people?

Their village was attacked by a winged monster.

I'd hunt this thing down if I could,

but I cannot track a creature through the air.

You don't have to track it.

First Greensward, then Willowdale--

The creature'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 your training routines

will concentrate on an attack strategy.

We don't have much time.

Dismissed.

Yes, Lancelot?

Is there anything I can do, sire?

It's just, I know

that in the event of battle only a knight may serve.

That's correct, Lancelot.

And you are not yet a knight,

which is why I'm bringing your test forward.

You'll 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, the fifth son of Lord Eldred of Northumbria…

Your time starts now.

I'm sorry.

Shame.

Do you submit, sire?

On your knees.

Arise, Sir Lancelot,

knight of Camelot.

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 great honor, Sir Lancelot.

The knighthood is the very foundation of Camelot.

The honor is all mine, sire.

Your father will be very proud.

Yes, sire.

I have not seen Lord Eldred for many years--

Longer than I had imagined, it seems.

The 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.

[Merlin] 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, Merlin.

You set him on a path of your choosing.

Tonight you have brought him triumph.

But who knows what the future may hold?

Yeah, I don't know what it said on your invitation,

but on mine it said "celebration."

[chuckles] 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. -So what if he did?

Would that really be so bad?

He's not really my type.

Oh, there's a surprise.

Sometimes, Guinevere,

I wonder if you'd know what your type was

if he was standing right next to you.

You're probably right.

Oh, thank you.

So come on, just for the sake of argument,

if you had to-- Arthur or Lancelot?

But I don't have to. And I never will.

You are no fun, Gwen.

Ladies and gentlemen,

please join me in a toast

to our new recruit,

our new knight of Camelot,

Sir Lancelot.

[cheering]

[sighs] Two yards of ale?

Two miles, more like it.

Good morning, gentlemen.

Don't look at it. Don't smell it.

Just down it in one.

Better? Good.

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

That's Sir Lancelot, if you don't mind.

-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 possible standard,

but a forgery it must be.

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 have brought shame upon yourself and upon us.

You are not worthy of the knighthood bestowed upon you.

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 am 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 has lied to you?

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

-You're not to blame. -Yes, I am.

I pushed you. I made you lie.

The choice was mine.

My punishment is mine to bear, and mine to bear alone.

I wish there was something I could do.

There Is.

You can stop blaming yourself.

Merlin.

Whatever you do, don't say "I told you so."

I have no wish to gloat, Merlin.

What's done is done.

Here.

Come and take a look at this.

I've realized my mistake.

I've been looking for the creature in the wrong place--

In the records of all known living things in the kingdom.

And then I thought, "But what about creatures

only recorded in legend, in myth?"

And I discovered this.

That is it. That's the monster.

[tower bells ringing]

[screaming]

On me. On me.

Defense!

What's happening?

Charge!

You said your knights were the best in the land.

You proved that today.

-All I know is that it's still out there. -Let's not wait for it.

The kingdom has been menaced by this creature for too long.

We finish this now.

-[Gaius] Sire, if I may… -Gaius.

I've been researching this creature, sire.

I believe it to be a griffin.

A griffin? What's in a name?

The griffin is a creature of magic.

I don't have time for this, physician.

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 like any other.

-Arthur proved that today. -I'm not so sure, father.

I think there may be some truth in what he says.

What truth?

The griffin was unharmed, sire.

Our weapons seemed useless against it.

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…

the griffin can only be killed by magic?

Yes, Merlin. I'm certain of it.

If Arthur rides out against it, he will 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. -This is the only way.

Do you even care what happens to me?

Just do this, Merlin, do that, Merlin.

Go and kill the griffin, Merlin. I'll just sit here

-And warm my feet by the fire. -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'm 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 sound like a knight. You don't even look like a knight.

-I'm sorry. -I'm sorry too.

Because, Lancelot, 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 is 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 honor. -I know.

-Then let me ride with you, sire. -I cannot.

My father knows nothing of this. I release you myself.

But I 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.

[incanting]

Don't worry, Merlin.

We've plenty of time.

I'm sorry to disturb you, my lady.

Lancelot, what are you doing here?

I have no time to explain.

I need weapons, armor, the best you've got.

-But what's this all about? -Arthur stands in mortal peril.

I must do what I can to protect him.

It's my duty, knight or not.

You really believe that, don't you?

Yes, my lady.

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

Guinevere, if I should not return--

Don't go, Lancelot, please.

But go I must.

It's time.

[incanting]

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

And I'm failing.

And 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.

-Just try and stop me. -Merlin, you're not a soldier.

You said it yourself, Lancelot--

Arthur needs all the help he can get.

Now let's go.

For Camelot!

[all] For Camelot!

-[griffin screeching] -[swords clanging]

Arthur.

Well?

He's alive.

[griffin screeching]

Okay, Merlin, it's now or never.

[incanting]

[Merlin] Yes!

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.

[Uther] You had no right…!

[doors slam]

What are they doing?

Deciding my fate.

I confess it, sire-- I released him.

And I'll take the consequences.

But surely Lancelot's actions change things.

His actions change nothing.

He broke the code.

He laid down his life for me.

He served with honor.

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 the griffin.

You did.

That's ridiculous.

[repeats incantation] I heard you.

I saw you.

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

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

There'll be 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. A busy day ahead.

Yes, my lady.

Perhaps you were right, Gaius.

Perhaps 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 the next time then,

Sir Lancelot.

My name is Edwin Muirden.

And I have a remedy to cure all ills.

I cannot preserve her life for much longer.

She has hours, maybe less.

You have magic.

I wonder what Uther will do.

Probably have him burned.

[dragon chuckles] [Merlin] Find Edwin.

[theme music playing]