“Lancelot” · Season 1, Episode 5
In this episode: Merlin (11), Lancelot (8), Gaius (5), Arthur Pendragon (4), Gwen (3), Uther Pendragon (2)
Look at him, Gaius. Does Lancelot not deserve this moment?
I never said he didn't, but destiny and desserts are not the same thing. You played God, Merlin. You set him on a path of your choosing. Tonight might have brought him triumph but who knows what the future holds?
Yeah. I don't know what it said on your invitation but on mine it said 'celebration'.
You know what? I think our Sir Lancelot might have eyes for you, Gwen.
Don't be silly.
So what if he did? Would it 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 it was standing right next to you.
You're probably right.
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.
Grumant's the third to fail this month. How am I supposed to defend Camelot with rubbish like that?
Well, I think I might be able to help.
You? 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 blown it for starters.
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...
Oh, 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.
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 would wish to destroy it. He knew that 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.
Nobility.
And thus the First Code of Camelot was born, and ever since that day only the 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 against the face of tyranny. I made swordcraft my life. Every waking hour since that day, I devoted to the art of combat. When I was ready, I set forth for Camelot. And now it seems my journey ends. Everything I fought for, wasted.
Hear my words. Whatever it takes, I will make this right.
Ever since I was a child, I've dreamed of coming here. It's 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 are going to love you.
They are?
Yes! I've seen you in action. You could shame the great Arthur himself.
I hardly think so.
He's trying out for the knights.
The First Code of Camelot has never been broken for any man. What have you done, Merlin?
OK, I bent the rules a little. But the rules were wrong. They're unfair.
You bent the rules. Using magic?
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.
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.
I think it's great Merlin's got you this chance. We need men like you. Well, not me, personally but, you know, Camelot. Camelot needs knights. Not just Arthur and his kind but people like you and me.
Well, I'm not a knight yet, my lady.
And I'm not a lady.
(Merlin visits Lancelot who is imprisoned in the dungeons)
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.
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.
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...
(nodding) 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, 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? '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.
I'm sorry.
I don't know what else I can say.
I'll say it for you. We have two hours to find a way to kill that thing.
(Arthur visits Lancelot who is imprisoned in the dungeons)
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've 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 who believe this creature, this griffin, is a creature of magic. It's only magic can destroy it.
Do you believe this?
It doesn't matter what I believe. Use of magic is not permitted. Knights must prevail with steel and sinew alone.
Sire...
There's 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.
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.
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've ever met your like before.
Guinevere, if I should not return...
Don't go, Lancelot. Please.
But go I must.
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.
'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.
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)
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 lay 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!
(Merlin and Gaius watch Lancelot leave Camelot)
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.
Will he ever return?
That I cannot say.
Til next time then, Sir Lancelot.
These quotes come from Wikiquote's Merlin pages and are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.
