(Nimueh appears before him)
NNimueh
It is more than I hoped for, Uther. Soon, Arthur will be slain. And you have sent him to his death.
Haven't you had your fill of revenge?
NNimueh
Haven't you! You began this war when you threw me from the court and slaughtered my kind.
You brought that on yourself with the evil you practiced.
NNimueh
I was your friend, Uther. You welcomed me here.
And you betrayed that friendship.
NNimueh
I did as you asked! I used the magic you so despise to give your barren wife the son you craved.
Don't you ever speak of her in that way! Ygraine was my heart. And you took her from me!
NNimueh
She died giving birth to your son! It was not my choice. That is the law of magic. To create a life there had to be a death. The balance of the world had to be repaid!
You knew it would kill her.
NNimueh
No, you're wrong! If I had foreseen her death and the terrible retribution you'd seek, I would never have granted your request.
NNimueh
You wish you didn't have a son? Well, your wish will come true soon enough.
I will not let you take him!
NNimueh
That is your choice. I have watched so many people I love die at your hands, Uther Pendragon. Now...it is your turn.
(There is a rattle at the window and the flames of the candles go out. When Uther turns back, Nimueh has gone.)
Merlin, what are you doing here?
I've come to ask a favor.
I'm not sure how to ask it.
Ask, Merlin. You know I'd grant you anything. (pause) I mean, not anything. Obviously not anything. What is it you want?
I've come to ask for a sword. The strongest sword your father's ever made.
If anything were to happen to you...
I know where to find you. You have to go, Merlin. You belong at Arthur's side. I've seen how much he needs you, how much you need him. You're like two sides of the same coin.
I've heard someone say that about us before. I'm going to miss you.
I'm going to miss you too. When you left, you were just a boy. Now look at you. I'm so proud of you. When the time is right, the truth will be known. Until then you must keep your talents hidden. It's better for everyone.
(Merlin conjures a whirlwind to defeat Kanen's men. Arthur kills Kanen in battle but William takes a crossbow bolt to save Arthur's life.)
WWilliam
That's twice I've saved you.
WWilliam
It was me. I'm the one who used the magic.
WWilliam
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.
WWilliam
Yeah. What are you going to do? Kill me?
He must care for you a great deal.
Arthur would do the same for any village. That's just the way he is.
It's more than that. He's here for you.
Give him more credit than that. He likes you.
That's because he doesn't know me. And if he did, I'd probably be dead by now.
Have you always slept on the floor?
Yeah. The bed I've got in Camelot's luxury by comparison.
I didn't mean the ground, I meant... for you. It must have been difficult.
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.
No doubt. Why did you leave?
How? (Merlin pauses) Come on. Stop pretending to be interesting. Tell me.
I just didn't fit in anymore. I wanted to find somewhere that I did.
They shouldn't be here, especially the Lady Morgana. Isn't she the king's ward?
Not that you'd know it. She's the only person I know who isn't frightened of him.
It won't make any difference to Kanen that they're women.
I know. But I couldn't talk them out of coming. (He touches the bruise on Hunith's face) I'm going to make him pay for what he did to you.
Promise me you'll be careful. No-one can find out about you.
They won't. They never do.
I've packed some armour for you.
I won't be able to carry all that.
You won't have to. We're coming with you.
You're going to need all the help you can get. I can mend armour and sharpen swords.
But you... you can't. I mean, why would you?
If it was the other way round, you'd help us. You already have. You saved my life.
And you helped me get the druid boy out of Camelot. We owe it to you. Both of us.
I'm sorry. If it were up to me, we'd be on our way there now.
Well, you tried. And thank you for getting an audience with the king.
I wish that Camelot was able to help people regardless of how far away they lived.
I'm going back to Ealdor.
It's been an honour serving you.
She's my mother. I have got to look after her before anyone else. You understand?
I'd do exactly the same. Well... you've been terrible. Really. I mean it, the worst servant I've ever had.
Prince Arthur, you didn't finish your breakfast.
(Arthur pretends to eat it.)
(Arthur hands the bowl off to Gwen.)
Right. Let's get going. We need wood, and lots of it.
(Gwen finishes Arthur's breakfast and hands the bowl to Hunith.)
Arthur said it was lovely.
