Merlin quotes from Merlin

The First Code of Camelot has never been broken for any man. What have you done, Merlin?

Merlin

OK, I bent the rules a little. But the rules were wrong. They're unfair.

You bent the rules. Using magic?

Merlin

It was nothing, honestly. 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.

Merlin

I know, I know.

Then why did you do it?

Merlin

I owe Lancelot my life. I'm paying for that debt the only way I can by giving him the opportunity he deserves.

S1 E5 Lancelot

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(Merlin visits Lancelot who is imprisoned in the dungeons)

Merlin

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

You're not to blame.

Merlin

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.

Merlin

I wish there was something I could do.

There is. You can stop blaming yourself.

S1 E5 Lancelot

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Merlin

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'll die.

Merlin

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.

Merlin

You're not suggesting...

(nodding) It is your destiny, Merlin. The true purpose of your magic.

Merlin

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

But if you do not, Arthur will surely perish.

Merlin

No, no. This is madness. I don't have magic that powerful. There must be another way.

This is the only way.

Merlin

Do you even care what happens to me? 'Oh, 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 that.

Merlin

I'm sorry.

I don't know what else I can say.

Merlin

I'll say it for you. We have two hours to find a way to kill that thing.

S1 E5 Lancelot

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Merlin

They'll restore your knighthood, of course they will. You killed the griffin.

But I didn't kill the griffin. You did.

Merlin

That's ridiculous.

'Brechdan An Weal'. 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.

Merlin

What are you going to do?

The only thing I can do. (Lancelot attempts to enter the chamber but is stopped by guards)

What is this?

(to the guards) Let me speak.

Wait. I will hear him.

Forgive me, sire. I have 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, and maybe one day fate will grant me another chance to prove myself a worthy knight of Camelot.

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

Well, I must prove it to myself. (bows) Your Highness. (bows) Prince Arthur. (Lancelot leaves the chamber)

S1 E5 Lancelot

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(Merlin and Gaius watch Lancelot leave Camelot)

Merlin

Perhaps you were right, Gaius. Perhaps I should have never got involved.

No, Merlin, I was wrong. Lancelot needed you and you needed Lancelot. Your destinies were entwined.

Merlin

Will he ever return?

That I cannot say.

Merlin

Til next time then, Sir Lancelot.

S1 E5 Lancelot

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It's all ridiculous. I didn't save Uther. You did.

Merlin

No, no. For once, I'm happy for someone else to take the credit. You were prepared to sacrifice your life to save me.

Where do you get that from?

Merlin

I thought...

No. I didn't do anything. You saved me and you saved Uther. Maybe you are a genius.

Merlin

You think so?

Well, almost. One day.

S1 E6 A Remedy to Cure All Ills

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Has anyone ever told you you're a genius?

Merlin

You certainly haven't.

S1 E6 A Remedy to Cure All Ills

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Uther's right. It's time I stepped down.

Merlin

What are you doing?

I cannot stay when there's no longer a use for me.

Merlin

You're not leaving?

I believe it's for the best.

Merlin

Then I will come with you.

Merlin, you're like a son to me. I never expected such a blessing so late in life.

Merlin

And you are more than a father to me.

Then as a father, I must tell you, you must remain here. Camelot is where you belong.

Merlin

But you belong here too.

Not any more. Merlin, you must promise me you will not waste your gifts.

Merlin

My gifts mean nothing without you to guide me.

S1 E6 A Remedy to Cure All Ills

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(about Morgana) She must never find out the truth.

Merlin

Why not? She had a premonition that helped save Arthur's life.

And it could cost her her own. If Uther ever found out, things would never be the same again. It must remain a secret.

Merlin

Is she like me? Can she use magic?

No one's like you, Merlin.

Merlin

But she has the gift?

For her sake, I hope not.

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When you failed to show up for patrol this morning, I feared you'd eloped with Sophia in a fit of passion.

Merlin

I wish he had, because then I wouldn't be stood in front of you looking like an idiot. Again.

This is becoming a near daily occurrence with you.

Merlin

But there was a mistake, and I would not say it was anyone's fault... not really... You could say it was mine.

Could somebody tell me what happened?

Merlin

Well...

Somebody with a brain.

After Sophia left, I wanted to take my mind off her so I went for a hunt.

Morgana

So killing things mends a broken heart?

No, but it's good fun. Merlin was meant to inform you that I wouldn't be back til later today.

Have you some kind of mental affliction?

Merlin

Probably.

I'm looking into it, sire.

Well, I hope for our sake you find a cure or we'll find ourselves with a food shortage on our hands.

Merlin

Food shortage?

(Cut to Merlin in the stocks, being pelted with rotten fruit)

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Merlin

Arthur?

What happened? Where am I?

Merlin

Can you remember anything?

(sitting up in bed) Oh, my head. There was a girl. Sophia. She... I asked my father something about her... I asked him... What was I thinking?

Merlin

Well, we did wonder. Especially when you eloped with her last night.

I did what?

Merlin had to bring you back to Camelot.

I don't recall any of this.

It must have been some blow.

What blow?

Merlin

Well, when I caught up with you, I couldn't persuade you to return. You were beyond reasoning. So I had to make you.

You managed to knock me out?

Merlin

Yep. With a lump of wood.

He only did it to bring you back safely.

No-one can know about this. Any of it.

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Merlin

Your father's bestowing a knighthood on one of your men this morning.

I'm giving it a miss.

Merlin

Won't your king mind?

Not if you cover for me again. By the way, thanks for yesterday. I heard you ended up in the stocks. Bad luck.

Merlin

They were throwing potatoes at me. It's only supposed to be rotten fruit!

I'm not sure there's any hard and fast rules. But, if it's any consolation, I think it was worth it.

Merlin

It went well?

Great. Fantastic. She's incredible.

Merlin

Don't worry. I'll find a way to get you out of it.

Make sure you don't end up in the stocks this time.

Merlin

I won't. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole deception lark.

(Cut to Merlin in the stocks, being pelted with rotten fruit and potatoes)

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Where's my son?

Merlin

I'm not sure where he is. I think... there's been a mistake. But it's not his fault. Arthur's, I mean.

Stop gibbering and tell me where he is.

Merlin

It's probably... no, it's definitely my fault.

Where is Arthur?

Merlin

He's not here.

I can see that.

Merlin

Arthur wasn't sure of his orders so he asked me to check with the guards and see if he was riding out this morning and, well, I may have forgotten.

You forgot?

Merlin

I'm sorry, my lord. I am sure he would have been here- had I told him.

If this was a time of war, I would have you flogged.

Merlin

And since it's not, we'll let it go just this once?

(Cut to Merlin in the stocks, being pelted with rotten fruit)

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I'm taking Sophia out for a ride today. You know, show her around.

Merlin

Where do I come into this?

Well, I'm supposed to be on patrol with the guard and my father this morning, so... I need you to cover for me.

Merlin

What, and lie to the king? No. No way. No, he'll see right through me. He'll have me in the stocks quicker than you can say 'rotten tomatoes'.

Merlin, I need you to do this for me.

Merlin

I am a terrible liar. I start sweating, my vision blurs, my brain stops working...

Well, no change there then. Look, I promised Sophia I'd take her out, and if I don't turn up, it'll blow my chances.

Merlin

You like her, then.

Yeah! What's not to like? I want to spend some more time with her but I need to get my father off my back. I can't order you to lie to the king, but I'll be a friend for life if you do.

Merlin

(after a pause) Go on, then. You don't want to keep her waiting.

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Make sure you put her in a decent room.

Merlin

The one next door's empty.

The one next door's fine. Excellent, in fact. (Merlin gives him a look) Shut up, Merlin.

Merlin

What? I didn't say anything!

You didn't have to. I want to make it clear that my intentions towards Sophia are completely honourable. Put her in a room on the other side of the castle. It's warmer. More comfortable.

Merlin

Of course. She is very... beautiful.

Yes, she is.

Merlin

And if your intentions are honourable...

Oh, they are. Most definitely.

Merlin

Then what's the problem with her staying next door?