“The Gates of Avalon” · Season 1, Episode 7
In this episode: Merlin (9), Arthur Pendragon (6), Gaius (3), Morgana Pendragon (2), Uther Pendragon (2), Gwen (1)
(about Morgana) She must never find out the truth.
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.
Is she like me? Can she use magic?
No one's like you, Merlin.
But she has the gift?
For her sake, I hope not.
When you failed to show up for patrol this morning, I feared you'd eloped with Sophia in a fit of passion.
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.
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?
Well...
Somebody with a brain.
After Sophia left, I wanted to take my mind off her so I went for a hunt.
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?
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.
Food shortage?
(Cut to Merlin in the stocks, being pelted with rotten fruit)
Arthur?
What happened? Where am I?
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?
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?
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?
Yep. With a lump of wood.
He only did it to bring you back safely.
No-one can know about this. Any of it.
You would think the appeal of pelting the same person with fruit would wear off after a while, but oh no.
Your father's bestowing a knighthood on one of your men this morning.
I'm giving it a miss.
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.
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.
It went well?
Great. Fantastic. She's incredible.
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.
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)
Where's my son?
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.
It's probably... no, it's definitely my fault.
Where is Arthur?
He's not here.
I can see that.
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?
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.
And since it's not, we'll let it go just this once?
(Cut to Merlin in the stocks, being pelted with rotten fruit)
(Morgana and Gwen watch Arthur riding off with Sophia)
You're sure it's her?
I could never forget that face.
You should speak to the king.
And tell him what? That I can see the future?
If you think Arthur's life is in danger...
You know how he'd react.
You're his ward. He wouldn't harm you!
He hates magic more than he cares for me.
That's not true.
Would you care to put it to the test?
I'm taking Sophia out for a ride today. You know, show her around.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(after a pause) Go on, then. You don't want to keep her waiting.
Make sure you put her in a decent room.
The one next door's empty.
The one next door's fine. Excellent, in fact. (Merlin gives him a look) Shut up, 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.
Of course. She is very... beautiful.
Yes, she is.
And if your intentions are honourable...
Oh, they are. Most definitely.
Then what's the problem with her staying next door?
There isn't one. You've convinced me. Put her in the room next to mine.
We're supposed to be hunting. It requires speed, stealth and an agile mind!
So, you're able to get by in two out of three, then.
These quotes come from Wikiquote's Merlin pages and are available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.
