Merlin (2008–2012): Season 5, Episode 10 - The Kindness of Strangers - full transcript

In a land of myth and a time
of magic, the destiny of a great

kingdom rests on the shoulders
of a young man.

His name...

Merlin.

Hah!

I was hoping for more of
a challenge.

There was a time when the name
"Alator"

struck fear even into the most
courageous.

Your skill as a torturer was
unparalleled, did you know that?

That was nothing to be proud of.

What was it you used to say?



"The victim always talks...

"Eventually."
What do you want from me?

I would have thought that
was obvious.

I want you to tell me
where Emrys is...

I told you before... never.

I was rather hoping you'd
say that...

This really is the most perfect
spot, is it not?

It is, my Lord.

Sometimes I forget how
beautiful Camelot is.

But never how beautiful my queen is.

Was that you, Merlin?

It was the horse.

Because if you WERE mocking
your king...

I wasn't. I wouldn't.



There's a special punishment
reserved for such impudence.

You're too easy, Merlin.
Every time.

How about here, Guinevere?
Yes, it looks perfect.

Then here it shall be.

Be here?

I haven't seen him
this happy in a long time.

Yes, he has changed, hasn't he?

Yeah... I think he has.

Sorry! Fill that up will you,
Merlin?

Perhaps he's not totally changed.

And this one too. Ready?

Sire.

I think my dog can catch
better than you.

Possibly because you treat him
better.

Are you blind?

Something happened here.

Stags marking their territory.

No. This was caused by magic.

Who knows about hunting,
me or you? It's rutting season...

half the trees in the forest
will look like that.

Come on! Your king awaits!

What happened?

They sought sanctuary
at the Western Garrison.

Ashwick's been at peace
since my father's time.

They're not from Ashwick.

They fled over
the border from Odin's lands.

Two days ago, the city of Helva
was attacked.

Only a handful of people
managed to escape.

Who was responsible?

At first, we assumed it was
the Saxons...

they've been active in that
area before.

But the refugees tell
a different story.

They say magic was involved.

Morgana? All the evidence would
suggest so, Sire.

Strengthen the garrison,
double the patrol on the border.

Sire.

Why would Morgana attack Helva?
She must have her reasons.

That's one of the few places where
magic is practised freely.
Why would she attack her own?

Makes no sense.

The workmanship is undeniable.

See how the pattern repeats at each
concentric circle?

It was made in Helva.

Anything else... a name, a date?

Not that I can see...
but it's a fine piece.

No-one would part with it willingly.

Perhaps one of the refugees
dropped it?

Mm. Perhaps.

Merlin, what are you up to?
I'm going back to where I found it.

I doubt
if the owner will still be there.

Something terrible happened there.
Something only the strongest
magic could do.

I could feel it.

You're not suggesting Morgana is
within Camelot's borders?

Who else could it be?

Don't go, Merlin, not on your own.
I'll be fine.

Take someone with you at least.
If it is Morgana...

Then it won't make any difference
who I take, will it?

You shouldn't have gone.
It might have been a trap.

Can you decipher it?

It's in Catha, that's for sure.

What does it say? It's been so long
since I've heard the language,
never mind read it.

There's a part of a signature here.

What is it?

Alator.

That's why Morgana attacked Helva.

Alator was the prize she was after.

But why risk so much for one man?

There can only be one reason...

to have him reveal who Emrys is.

Alator would never betray me.

Not willingly.

But Morgana will use every power
she has to break him.

And even Cathas
cannot resist for ever.

Enough.

Hello again, Alator.

You're wasting your time, Morgana.

I will not tell you who Emrys is.
Now we both know that's not true.

Otherwise, why would I
have spared your life?

I am a Catha, trained from birth
to master all physical pain,

to rise above the mere...
Yes, yes.

You can resist any physical torture,
separate your mind from your body.

That's all very impressive, Alator,

but, you see, it's not your body
I'm interested in.

Not even you can separate
your mind from your mind.

Do you recognise this?

I see that you do.

A Nathair.

That's right, Alator. A Nathair.

It can cause
the most exquisite pain.

Not in the body of the victim.
But in his very soul.

So, I ask you again.
Where is Emrys?

Shhh.

What's are you doing?

I'm going to surprise her -
breakfast in bed.

Oh. What a lovely thought.

Where are you going?

You don't need me, do you?

I can't get very well go
and get the breakfast, can I?

What if she wakes and... panics?

Panics?

Just go and get it, all right?

Merlin.

Flowers. Don't forget the flowers.

Of course.
The personal touch. Nice.

Be still.

The great battle is nearing.
You must listen to me.

Emrys.

How do you know my name?

Arthur's enemies are closer
than you think.

If you value your king, meet me
tonight at the old temple of Erui.

Come alone...

or not at all.

Merlin?

What?

Where are the flowers?

Arthur?

Good morning.

That is so sweet.
It's nothing.

Who's there?

Merlin! What do you think
you're doing in the Royal chambers?

I thought, um...
I thought I heard voices.

Maybe next time you'd be good
enough to knock. Yes, Sire.

Merlin.

Thank you.

My idea.

If it's what I think it is,
this is the mark of a Bendrui.

A Bendrui?

Before the time of the Great Purge,

girls would be chosen
at birth for the priesthood.

They'd be taken away
from their families and brought up

as initiates in the Old Religion.

I thought Morgana was the only
High Priestess left? Many tried,

few succeeded.

For ordinary gifts
were not enough.

Only those possessed of exceptional
magical power could ever hope

to be one of The Nine.

But do not underestimate
this woman's abilities...

all Bendrui are practised
in potent magic.

She said Arthur's enemies
were closer than I thought.

Now, who else
could she mean but Mordred?

If she meant Mordred,
why not say so?

We were interrupted.

She's drawing you in, Merlin.
It's a trap.

She knew your real name. There's
only one explanation for that.

Alator told Morgana
who you really are,

and she has sent this woman
to lure you to her.

But I looked into her eyes.
She meant no harm.

You think a sorceress of her power
couldn't feign any look she wished?

I was there, Gaius, you were not.

You mustn't go to her, Merlin.

If she can help me
protect Arthur do I have a choice?

Don't you understand?
If something happened to you,
we would ALL be lost!

But if she can truly help me
protect Arthur from Mordred

and I refuse to go,
would all not be lost then, too?

Merlin...

It was I who told Alator
of your true identity.

You had no choice.

And I cannot let that destroy you.

If ever you held me in any regard...

please, do not do this.

You know I'd never do
anything to hurt you, Gaius.

Thank you.

Cume mec, hraefn wan, bebuge me!

Nim bod min thissere
nihte thinum drhytne.

Gedo hit his agenum
handum Morgana Pendragon.

Yes?

Gaius.

Sire.

Is something wrong?

I fear so.

Come, you obviously have
something to tell me.

There can be no secrets between us.

There is a special bond
between a doctor and his patient.

One might almost say
a bond of sacred confidentiality.

I believe so.

And yet is there not also a loyal
bond between a subject and his King?

There can be no greater duty.

A patient has advised me that,
within the walls of Camelot,

there is a follower
of the Old Religion.

It is my belief that
this woman poses a threat

not only to the kingdom,
but to you yourself.

I see.

Does she have a name?

All I know is
she practises her craft at night,

in the Darkling Woods
by the ruined temple of Erui.

You did the right thing, Gaius.

Thank you.

It's not funny.

It's not funny at all.

Nobody's laughing.
It's just childish.

You're right. It's stupid.

Here.

Gentlemen.

We were just...

No matter.

Mordred, I have a task for you.

Sire?

Your favourite.

You don't want it?

No, of course I do.
Thank you, Gaius.

You're not still thinking about
that woman in the forest, are you?

It is for the best, Merlin.

Really, it is.

Great one.

Please, that's not necessary.

It is an honour to meet you, Emrys.

How did you know my name?

From my master, Alator of the Catha.
He sends you greetings.

But also a warning.

The great battle nears, the fate
of Camelot rests in the balance.

Only you, great Emrys,

can ensure the triumph
of the Once and Future King.

How do I do that?

Quickly!

Seize them!

Go.
I cannot leave you.

I'll find you. You have my word. Go.

Ligfyr.

You saw her but you lost her?

She used magic, Sire.

Even so there were how many of you?
Six? Against one old woman.

There were two of them, Sire.

Oh, well that explains it!

Mordred, who was the other?

We couldn't see.

But they were in earnest
conversation, sire,
that much we COULD tell.

Send out a second patrol.

Seal off the ford at Greinton
and alert the border garrisons.

They must be found
and brought to trial. Sire.

I told Arthur because I was
worried about you, Merlin.

She was working for Alator,
not Morgana.

How was I to know that?

Because I told you!

I'm sorry, Merlin,
but I thought it was for the best.

And now, because of me,
her life is in danger.

No. Not you... me.

I acted like a foolish old man.

No, never that.

But I have to go now.

I must find out why
she would risk her life for me.

Take care, Merlin.

You continue to waste your time,
Morgana. I am a Catha Priest.

You think that will protect you?

No matter what you do,
you cannot break me.

So it would seem. In which case...
I have no further use for you.

You think I fear death?

Shall I let you into
a secret, Alator?

I'm no longer interested in what you
think or what you fear.

I shall pass to the other world
happy in the knowledge that

you will never find Emrys.

He is your destiny,
Morgana, and he is your doom.

Mistress?

What now?

We found a letter in his cell.

Show me.

"Do not fear, Alator. I have found
Emrys. Our sacred mission continues.

"Your faithful servant, Finna."
You poor fool, Alator.

Undone by a few scribbled words.

Find this Finna.
Bring her to me, alive.

I will break her, Alator.
Break her like a twig.

How does it feel to know
all your resistance was for nothing?

Enjoy your "other world".

Herbs? You were looking for herbs?

Gaius is very particular.
They have to be fresh
or their power is diminished.

This is hardly the time or place to
be gathering herbs.

You were grateful enough for them
when Gaius cured your palsy.

It wasn't palsy.

I was being polite.

There's a dangerous
sorcerer at large, Merlin,
not to mention Saxons.

This is not the place to be alone.

I'll be fine. I'll just get the rest
of my herbs and be on my way.

No.

I'll head back.

We can't allow that, either.

Stay with us, Merlin,
until this sorcerer is apprehended.

Thank you.

What news?

The hounds have picked up the woman's
trail. How far? Less than a mile.

We've lost her.

Should we split up?
Some of us track back?

It's getting dark, we'd be sitting
targets for the Saxons.

We'll start again at first light.

Good morning.

Though technically,
I think it's still night.

I was just...

Relieving yourself? Yeah.

And you always put your boots on to
do that, do you?

I don't like splinters.

You weren't collecting
herbs either, were you?

You don't have to explain
yourself to me, Merlin.

If you're willing to risk your life,
it must be important.

It is.

A problem shared...

I understand.

I'll tell them I escorted you
back to the bridge.

Thank you.

Merlin...

be careful.

We've lost the trail.
She could have gone anywhere.

Fan out.

Wait!

Neosie thu tha swath...

This way.

Finna!

Master!

Please don't...

I thought I had lost you.

You doubted me?

Never.

Aaargh!

Lie back.

They won't be alone.

Aargh!

Morgana must not find you.

Where can we go?

There's an old watchtower
on the other side of the valley.

Can you walk?

Yeah. I think so.

It is not far.

It's safe. Are you ready?

There are no wounds.

There wouldn't be.

She's been hit. Bring your men.

How did you know this tower?

When you've spent a lifetime
running,

you know all the places to hide.

Running from... Arthur?

And from his father before him.

It won't always be like this.
Things will be better.

That is why I was sent...
to help you make it so.

Why are you doing this for me?

Without you, Emrys, Arthur cannot
build the new world we all long for.

I don't understand.

For hundreds of years the Catha have
guarded their ancient knowledge.

But now the time has come to pass
it on to you, Emrys.

For only you can carry their hopes
into the great battle itself.

How can I do that?

Here. Guard it carefully.

It will help you in the dark
days to come.

Thank you.

I want her taken alive,
do you understand?

Alive!

There is something else.

Something Alator himself wanted me
to tell you.

Don't make the same
mistake as Arthur...

do not trust the Druid boy.

You must go on.
There's nowhere to...

There is a roof, you will
be safe there. How?

They think I am alone.
Once they have me, they will go.

I won't leave you, Finna.
We fight them, together.

No. If Morgana sees us
together she will know who you are.

That must never happen.
Finna, please...

It is my destiny, Emrys,
to serve you until the end.

I could wish for nothing more.

Grant me one favour.

Anything.
Leave me your sword.

It has been a privilege to know you,
Emrys.

Finna... at last.

I'm impressed. At your age,
it's very spirited.

Stay away!

But with age also comes wisdom.
It's over.

Tell me who Emrys is.

Never.

Burn the body.
Get the horses!

O drakon, e male

so ftengometta tesd' hup' anankes.

Thank you.

It is my pleasure.

For a second there,
I thought you weren't coming.

I would never forsake you,
young Warlock.

Are you all right? Of course.

Your wing...

I am tired, Emrys, that is all.

But I shall serve
you as long as I have the strength.

If you are ill I can heal you.

There are some things even a warlock
as great as you cannot overcome.

I am old, Emrys,
my time has almost come.

No...

It is the cycle of life,
no more, no less.

What will I do without you?

You will remember me.

Will I see you again?

What does it say?

Just a moment...

"Let loose the hounds of war.

"Let the dread fire of the Last
Priestess rain down from

"angry skies, for brother will
slaughter brother, for friend will,

"murder friend, as the great horn
sounds a cold dawn at Camlann.

"The prophets do not lie.

"There, Arthur will meet his end,
upon that mighty plain."

So many have suffered
so that I may hear this...

Yes.

I think I know what's going
through your mind, Merlin.

That your destiny is almost too
much for one man to bear.

You...

You always did know me best,
Gaius.

Be assured of one thing.

There was never anyone more
capable than you, Merlin.

You will not fail.

We got here as fast as we could.

You did well.

Where did this happen?
We found him just inside the border.

Merlin, fetch my glass, please.

Do you know what it is?
I fear so.

The skin has grown across his face
until he has suffocated.

Gaius?

The disfigurement is not the
result of disease or infection...

it's the result of powerful magic.

In the old days it was a
punishment known as Ragaid...

the ultimate warning from the
High Priestess to her enemies.

Why was this knight chosen?
What had he done?

He had done nothing,
except be a knight of Camelot.

It is a warning, Sire.
A warning to the whole kingdom.

Morgana has declared war.

You know if Arthur catches her
she'll be killed.

This time you've gone too far.
You will pay, Merlin.