Arthur Pendragon quotes from Merlin

Merlin

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

Arthur

I'm giving it a miss.

Merlin

Won't your king mind?

Arthur

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!

Arthur

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?

Arthur

Great. Fantastic. She's incredible.

Merlin

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

Arthur

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.

Arthur

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

Merlin

Where do I come into this?

Arthur

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'.

Arthur

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...

Arthur

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.

Arthur

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.

Arthur

Make sure you put her in a decent room.

Merlin

The one next door's empty.

Arthur

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

Merlin

What? I didn't say anything!

Arthur

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.

Arthur

Yes, she is.

Merlin

And if your intentions are honourable...

Arthur

Oh, they are. Most definitely.

Merlin

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

Arthur

There isn't one. You've convinced me. Put her in the room next to mine.

Arthur

We're supposed to be hunting. It requires speed, stealth and an agile mind!

Merlin

So, you're able to get by in two out of three, then.

That's twice I've saved you.

Arthur

Twice?

It was me. I'm the one who used the magic.

Merlin

Will, don't...

It's alright, Merlin. I won't be alive long enough for anyone to do anything to me. I did it. I saw how desperate things were becoming. I had to do something.

Arthur

You're a sorcerer?

Yeah. What are you going to do? Kill me?

Arthur

Have you always slept on the floor?

Merlin

Yeah. The bed I've got in Camelot's luxury by comparison.

Arthur

It must have been hard.

Merlin

Hmm. It's like rock.

Arthur

I didn't mean the ground, I meant... for you. It must have been difficult.

Merlin

Not really. I didn't know any different. Life's simple out here. You eat what you grown and everyone pitches in together. As long as you've got food on the table and a roof over your had, you're happy.

Arthur

Sounds... nice.

Merlin

You'd hate it.

Arthur

No doubt. Why did you leave?

Merlin

Things just... changed.

Arthur

How? (Merlin pauses) Come on. Stop pretending to be interesting. Tell me.

Merlin

I just didn't fit in anymore. I wanted to find somewhere that I did.

Arthur

Had any luck?

Merlin

I'm not sure yet.

Arthur

I'm sorry. If it were up to me, we'd be on our way there now.

Merlin

Well, you tried. And thank you for getting an audience with the king.

Arthur

I wish that Camelot was able to help people regardless of how far away they lived.

Merlin

I'm going back to Ealdor.

Arthur

Of course.

Merlin

It's been an honour serving you.

Arthur

You'll be coming back?

Merlin

She's my mother. I have got to look after her before anyone else. You understand?

Arthur

I'd do exactly the same. Well... you've been terrible. Really. I mean it, the worst servant I've ever had.

Merlin

Thank you, sire.

Morgana

You still not learned how to dress yourself?

Arthur

You don't have a dog and fetch the stick yourself. No offence, Merlin.

Merlin

None taken.

Hunith

Prince Arthur, you didn't finish your breakfast.

Arthur

Didn't I?

Morgana

Come on, eat up.

Arthur

Mmmmm.

Arthur

Right. Let's get going. We need wood, and lots of it.

Merlin

Of course.

Gwen

Arthur said it was lovely.

Arthur

[takes a mouthful of Merlin's stew] What kind of meat is this? It has a very strange texture...

Merlin

It's pork.

Arthur

This isn't pork. It's far too stringy, what is it, it's... ummm... [realizes] It's rat, isn't it?

Merlin

[nods] Try not to think about it.

Arthur

[pauses looking revolted, then has an idea] Look at me, I'm being rude! Here I am stuffing my face with this delicious rat, when you're hungry too! Come on... [stands and gestures to Merlin] take a seat...

Arthur

I had no idea you were so keen to die for me.

Merlin

Trust me, I can hardly believe it myself.

Arthur

You think this is funny.

Merlin

...Moderately.

Merlin

I know you don't have to listen to me -

Arthur

Glad we agree on something

Gwen

Sire...

Arthur

Guinevere, I... want you to know that your job is safe and that your home is yours for life. I guarantee you that. I know that under the circumstances, it's not much but, erm... anything you want, anything you need, all you have to do is ask. I am sorry.

Gwen

Thank you, Sire.

Arthur

Ah, Merlin.

Merlin

How are you?

Arthur

Good.

Merlin

I'm pleased.

Arthur

Yes, I owe it all to Gaius.

Merlin

I need to talk to you.

Arthur

You still haven't got it yet, have you? I decide when we need to talk.

Merlin

Not today.

Arthur

I sometimes wonder if you know who I am.

Merlin

Oh, I know who you are.

Arthur

Good.

Merlin

You're a prat. And a royal one.

Arthur

Are you ever going to change, Merlin?

Merlin

No, you'd get bored. Promise me this, if you get another servant, don't get a bootlicker.

Arthur

If this is you trying to leave your job...

Merlin

No. I'm happy to be your servant, till the day I die.

Arthur

Sometimes I think I know you, Merlin. Other times...

Merlin

Well, I know you. and you're a great warrior. One day you'll be a great King.

Arthur

That's very kind of you.

Merlin

But you must learn to listen as well as you fight.

Arthur

Any more pointers?

Merlin

No. That's it. Just... don't be a prat.