Merlin (2008–2012): Season 5, Episode 5 - The Disir - 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.

Heo cwaeth.

Se wyrdes last bith ansiene.

Nu syndon his folma blodige

ond tha ne maeg he feormian.

His endetime is on ofost.

Heo cwaeth.

Se wyrdes last bith ansiene.

Nu syndon his folma blodige.



His endetime is on ofost.

Osgar.

You know what must be done?

I do.

Stand.

Take it.

The fate of Arthur Pendragon
is in your hands now.

See that you honor it.

You're getting good, Mordred,
very good.

- My lord.
- I may have to start trying soon.

My lord?

And... always remember...

Did you see how Mordred used a contre
quarte to my high-line attack?

- It was skilfully done.
- Really?



You understand
what a contre quarte is, right?

At a guess, a type of parry,
beginning in the quarte position,

ending with a twist of the wrist.

You HAVE been paying attention.

And what do you think
of young Mordred?

He's, er, making progress.

He has all the makings of
a fine knight, don't you think?

There are many fine knights
in Camelot.

Yes, but if I'm not mistaken,
he'll be one of the finest,

and I'm determined he'll receive
nothing but encouragement from me.

'You think he's not ready?'

It's not that.
He's an excellent swordsman.

You think he's too young?
Too headstrong?

He's always been thoughtful
and modest.

The boy sounds perfect, Merlin.

I can't ignore what I saw.

Gaius, Mordred is destined to play
a part in Arthur's death.

Perhaps, perhaps not. The future
has many paths. That is only one.

Have you ever seen him show anything
but kindness towards Arthur?

- No, but...
- If Mordred wished Arthur ill,

he has had ample opportunity
to do so.

He's a likeable boy, Merlin.

I know.

I like him myself,
but I can't ignore what I saw.

Seeing is not the same as knowing.

And we must know - for certain -
before we act.

What news from the East, Sir Leon?

Serious news, I'm afraid, sire.

As you know, a few days ago,
our garrison in the Forest of Brechfa

intercepted the man who goes
by the name of Osgar.

- The sorcerer?
- The same.

They were trying to apprehend him
when he used his powers to escape.

I am sorry to report...
Sir Ranulf was mortally wounded.

Sir Ranulf?

He was a loyal and true knight.

Place all the men in the
eastern territories on high alert.

Yes, sire.

I personally shall lead a patrol
to bring this Osgar to justice.

Is it necessary for you
to go in person?

A king must lead,
or what is the point of him?

You lead the men
when you saved Mithian's father...

and I nearly lost you.

Sir Ranulf's death
cannot go unpunished.

You have many fine men
to avenge him.

He wasn't just a knight, Guinevere,
he was a friend.

We knew each other as boys.

I must go.

Have no fear.
I will be perfectly safe.

As you say, I have many fine knights.

Yes?

- You wished to see me, sire?
- Ah, Mordred, come in, come in.

The time has come for you
to accompany your king.

My lord?

I want you to join me
on a patrol to the White Mountains.

Me?

To Brechfa?

Congratulations.

This is a great honour. I...

You have earned your place.

- Be ready to ride at dawn.
- I shall be, my lord.

You won't regret this.

I promise.

He has all the makings
of an excellent knight.

I do believe
you've grown fond of him.

One of those things I do.

You sure you haven't forgotten
anything, Mordred?

Do you think so?

Isn't he missing a dagger?

I can't see a water bottle.

His boot.
He's missing a boot, I think.

Are you sure this is a good idea?

He's a good fighter, a brave knight.

He's very young.

Where would any of us be, Merlin,
if no-one had given us a chance?

Gentlemen!

Merlin?

You will take care of him?

He doesn't always make it easy.

- I know.
- Merlin!

It is a tradition. Goes back years.

We all had to do it
on our first patrol.

Mordred, what on earth
are you doing?

Melding the saddle, my lord.

As in the ancient tradition...
of melding.

Of course. I trust your breeches
are on inside out?

My lord?

It's Osgar. He's close.

He's getting careless.

Sire?

Who are you? What's your purpose?

I was beginning to fear
you had taken the wrong path.

Who are you?

My name is Osgar.

And I have an important
message for your king.

Take me to him.

It'll be our pleasure.

Do you not know who I am?

You are a sorcerer, a heretic
and a murderer.

No.

Just a man who values his freedom.

Take me to your king.

Would you challenge me?!

Forth fleoge!

Stop!

Sire...

My name is Osgar.

I know who you are.

I am sent from the sacred Disir

to pass judgment on Arthur
Pendragon, the Once and Future King.

What right have you
to pass judgment?

No man is above the Disir -
however royal.

It is my duty to pass their
judgment on to you, dread King.

My sacred duty.

Your hand... Arthur Pendragon.

It is done.

What is the meaning of this?

It is both judgment and fate.

You have waged war on the people
of the Old Religion.

Now the ancient gods answer you.

The Disir have spoken.

The circle of fate begins to close.

For even as Camelot flowers,

the seeds of her destruction
are being sown.

What nonsense is this?

It is not too late, Arthur.

Not too late to find the true path.

Redeem yourself.

No further chance shall be given.

What would the king say?

Sorcerers are not permitted
marked graves.

It's all right, Merlin.

I'd have done the same.

He was one of us, after all.

It won't always be like this.

One day we will live
in freedom again.

You really believe that?

I do.

Until then,

we go unmarked -
in death as in life.

The swelling should go down
by the morning.

Let's hope so.

How is he?

I've applied poultices.
They'll make a full recovery.

You are a skilled physician, Merlin.

I've watched Gaius, that's all.

He also makes a very fine breakfast,
as you'll soon discover,

eh, Merlin?

Now I've offended him.

Come, Merlin, warm yourself,
have a drink.

To young Mordred -
and his first successful mission.

It was nothing.

It was timely and vigilant.

Merlin!

Congratulations.

If he died and was granted
eternal happiness,

I do believe he'd find reason
to be miserable.

Come, Merlin, we've triumphed.

Osgar could have easily killed you.

But he didn't, did he?

He was a sorcerer,
it was quite within his power.

He was deranged.

And the runemark?

A trinket - nothing more.

Here.

I'll have the jeweller mount it
as a memento of our success.

Are you feeling all right, Merlin?

Quite, my lord.

Only, more and more I find your face
resembles the back end of a cat.

See, you don't even laugh at my jokes
any more. Seriously...

I haven't seen you smile
these past three days.

I'm not sure there is
a great deal to smile about.

Sire, thank you for coming.

Please.

Tell me Merlin's got you
believing his nonsense too, Gaius.

This is a runemark, my lord.

So everyone keeps telling me.

In times past,
this mark aroused great fear.

It was given to those found wanting
by the court of the Disir.

The Disir?

The highest court
of the Old Religion.

Three women were chosen at birth to
be trained as seers and soothsayers.

Their only task was to interpret
the word of the Triple Goddess.

When they sat in judgement,
their word was final.

This worn-out superstition
has no relevance now.

I don't see how what bearing
it has on me or Camelot.

Because, sire,

the Disir saw fit to give you this.

This is the judgement
of the gods against you.

This is... nonsense, surely?

The Old Religion held that
the runemark not only contained

a man's guilt but the path that
the gods had chosen for him.

That is why it is both a judgement
and fate.

I make my own path.

Do you?

It is said that only the gods
can alter a man's fate...

And even then, only when
he repents and appeases them.

You don't believe any of this?

Gaius?

I am an old man, sire.

Old enough to be wary of
dismissing other people's beliefs.

Have I not made Camelot a fairer
and more just kingdom?

You have, my lord.

Have I not rid it of the cruelties
and injustices of the past?

You have.

I am not my father.

No.

Then why do they judge me so?

I'm not sure I'm the person to ask.

I am asking you... Merlin.

Man to man.

Well, perhaps they feel
you are worthy enough to be judged.

What do you mean by that?

Judgement is wasted on a... man
who won't listen.

You think I should take them
seriously?

I think you already have.

If there's nothing else...?

No. Thank you.

O drakon!

E male so ftengometta tesd'
hup' anankes!

You were right to summon me, Merlin.

The Disir are the mouthpiece
of the Triple Goddess.

It is she who has decreed
Arthur's fate.

What is it to be?

The runemark predicts
Arthur's death.

When?

When will Arthur die?

The future is never clear, Merlin.
You should know that by now.

There are many paths.

Not all lead to Camelot's ruin.

Do they lead to Mordred?

The Druid boy?

His fate and Arthur's are bound
together like ivy round a tree.

I fear he is dangerous.

There is good cause to doubt him.

Is there nothing I can do?

Sometimes... to save the tree,

the ivy must be cut.

You had a chance to kill
the Druid boy once before.

If you have another...

you MUST not fail.

Arthur?

I thought you might be hungry.
You ate nothing at supper.

Thank you.

That was kind.

He was a deranged, desperate man.
You said so yourself.

Merlin was right -

he could have killed me
but instead he thought

it was more important to give me this,

and he gave his life in doing so.

Who can fathom
the mind of a fanatic?

That wasn't what was in his eyes,
Guinevere.

There was no hatred there.

It was something else - pity almost.

Why would a sorcerer pity a king?

Come, eat something.

What if the Disir are right? What if
I have transgressed in some way?

What if I have put
Camelot in danger?

Arthur, you are a good
and just king.

The Disir don't seem to think so.

That is because they
don't know you like I do.

If they did,
they would feel nothing but love.

Is it late? Have I overslept?

It is not yet dawn.

- My lord, I...
- Where can I find the Disir?

- Sire, I...
- Gaius, if anyone knows

where to find them, it is you.

Until yesterday I didn't know
they still existed.

But they do. As we know.

So again, where can I find them?

Sire, I do not think
it is wise for you...

Gaius, do I look like
a man to trifle with?

It is said that the Disir
divines using an ancient pool.

In turn, the pool is fed

by the sacred spring at Caerlanrigh.

The source of the spring is a grove
of yew trees in the White Mountains.

The Grove of Brineved.

Thank you.

We leave within the hour.

Be careful, Merlin.
I don't know what you'll encounter

but the Old Ways will be
at their strongest there.

The Caerlanrigh is
the very centre of their powers.

My lord, you are
going to the White Mountains?

I am.

Then I humbly petition
to come with you.

It is not for novices, Mordred.

Did I not serve you well?

You did.

Then I will do again.

It is no mere sorcerer this time,
Mordred.

Our mission is dangerous -
in ways we cannot perhaps imagine.

Then you will need good men
by your side.

Let me serve, let me do my duty.

Merlin!

See to it he has everything
he needs.

Stay close. You know your positions.

My lord.

- What is it, Merlin?
- This place is sacred.

It's a cave, Merlin.

It's more than that.

To me, one cave is the same
as another.

You can't go armed
into a sacred place!

You want us to go in there unarmed?

Of all the ridiculous things
that you have ever said, Merlin...

...and there's been a few...

...that is the most ridiculous. By far.

I am Arthur Pendragon,

King of Camelot.

I come to know the meaning of this.

The Grove of Brineved
is in the kingdom of Camelot,

subject to its laws, its decrees.

Every man,

however humble, however noble,

has the right to be judged
only by his peers.

Yet YOU judge me in my absence.

Explain yourselves.

We do not judge.

We do not condemn.

We are but the internuncio
of the one who presides over all.

Who sees all.

Who knows all.

The Triple Goddess.

And you, Arthur Pendragon,

have angered her.

How so?

Have I not been an honourable king?

Have I not made Camelot
a fair and just kingdom?

So much is true.

But you have denied
the Old Religion.

Dismissed its faith.

Persecuted its followers.

Even unto slaughter.

I fight against sorcery
and superstition, that is all.

Embrace the ways
of the Old Religion, Arthur.

Or risk the ire of the Goddess.

The destruction of everything
you most value.

The end of your reign.

The fall of Camelot itself.

I refuse to be judged
by those who do not know me.

You are known, Arthur.
You have always been known.

And now you come here,
to the most sacred of the sacred,

to the very heart
of the Old Religion,

with weapons drawn.

Trampling hallowed relics.

Treating our sacred space like you
do your kingdom - with arrogance.

With conceit.

With insolence.

Enough! You speak of the King!

On me!

Merlin!

Pull back!

How is he?

It is not a simple wound.
Sorcery is involved.

Is there anything you can do?

This is beyond my skill, sire.

We need to get him back to Camelot.

That is a long and arduous journey.
What if he doesn't survive it?

Look... I fear that Gaius is
the only one who can save him.

Mount up. We ride for Camelot.

He grows worse.

There has been little change.

I should never have let him come.

He wanted to prove himself.

And he has.

He saved my life
for the second time.

Merlin is right.

This is no ordinary wound.

There is magic at play.

Can you save him?

I am but a physician -
there are limits to my knowledge.

There must be something
that can be done.

Perhaps.

I shall do everything
in my power, sire.

Let me know the moment
he improves...

...or...

I shall.

Only your magic can save him,
Merlin.

I cannot save the life of a man
destined to kill Arthur.

If Mordred is destined to take
the King's life,

why has he just saved it?

I cannot ignore
what the dragon said.

What happened to the young boy
who came into my chambers

just a few years ago?

He grew up.

And he learned the meaning of duty.

It is not your fault.

He begged you to let him go -
it was a kindness to allow him.

- It was foolishness.
- No.

You told me once that Mordred
had a strong sense of duty.

That is true.

You also told me he was impetuous.
I should have listened to you.

No, you shouldn't.

If Mordred hadn't gone, it could be
you in Gaius's chambers.

Mordred did his duty
so you could do yours...

To be king.

Yes?

- Sire.
- Is there news?

I thought that once we'd got him
back to Camelot and your care...

The staff that caused his wound was
forged using powerful sorcery.

All the same...

And the poison that runs
through his veins is beyond remedy.

There must be...

...something you can do!

I'm afraid not.

Only the Disir themselves

have the power to counteract
their own sorcery.

I'm afraid we must prepare ourselves
for the worst.

I'll go to them.

- Sire, I do not think that is...
- And I beg for mercy.

Prepare the horses. We leave at once.

Why do you risk so much for one man?

I would do the same for any knight.

Though, obviously, not me.

Actually, I would.

Servants are hard to come by -
even bad ones.

I'm touched.

Mordred saved my life.
What greater debt could there be?

The debt to your people,

to your destiny.

You almost sound as if you care.

I do care.

About who you are, Arthur,

who you are destined to become.

If it's fated. It doesn't matter
what I do, it'll still happen.

There is a difference
between fate and destiny.

You think too much, Merlin.

The situation is quite simple.
A brother-in-arms saves my life.

When he, in turn, is threatened,

it is my duty to do all I can
to save him.

I am not totally insensitive,
Merlin.

I can see that some people
feel this is a sacred place.

I am even prepared to admit
that you are right sometimes.

Obviously, I will deny
I ever saying that.

Obviously.

Arthur Pendragon.

King of Camelot.

We have been expecting you.

My men and I behaved with arrogance
and stupidity.

We dishonoured this place
and insulted your faith.

I humbly beg your forgiveness.

One amongst us,

Sir Mordred...

...may yet pay the ultimate price.

I have come here to petition you
for his life.

Why should we help you?

I ask not for myself,

but for a young man whose only crime

was to sacrifice himself
for his king.

The future holds much pain

and suffering for you,
Arthur Pendragon.

For you and your people.

If you wish to save
all you hold dear.

If you wish to save your kingdom.

Embrace the Old Religion.

Learn her ways.

Bow to the Goddess.

You know I can't do that.

Consider carefully.

You have until dawn.

How did you know
this place was sacred?

That's obvious.

Pretend it isn't.

Everything here...
is so full of life.

Every tree,

every leaf...

...every insect.

It's as if the world is vibrating.

As if everything
is much more than itself.

You feel all that?

Don't you?

What will you do?

I don't know.

My heart says do anything
I can to save Mordred.

But I have seen what misery
unfettered sorcery brings.

Before my father outlawed magic,

Camelot was almost destroyed
by sorcery.

In my own time, Morgana has used it
for nothing but evil.

What would you do?

- In my place?
- Me?

I'm just a lackey, a maker of beds.

Lackeys can be wise.

It is not like you to be silent.

A kingdom's future is at stake.

And a man's life.

You must protect Camelot.

You must protect the world you have
spent your life building...

a just and fair kingdom for all.

You would have me sacrifice a friend?

I would have you become the king
you are destined to be.

If I do save Mordred, all my
father's work will be for nothing.

Sorcery will reign
once more in Camelot.

Is that what you'd want?

Perhaps my father was wrong,

perhaps the old ways
aren't as evil as we thought.

So what should we do?

Accept magic?

Or let Mordred die?

There can be no place for magic
in Camelot.

You have returned.

Is your decision made?

It is.

I cannot do as you ask.

Consider carefully,
Arthur Pendragon.

This is your last chance to save
all that is dear to you.

It will not come again.

I have seen too much...

to allow sorcery again
within Camelot.

You have made your decision.

Sealed your fate.

And that of your kingdom.

Farewell...

...Arthur Pendragon.

You did the right thing.

I condemned a man to death.

For the sake of Camelot.

He saved my life, Merlin.

More than once.

I know.

'How could I have been so stupid?!'

You did what you thought best.

I assumed the best way to protect
Arthur was to kill Mordred.

A perfectly natural assumption.

But all I did
was make sure he lived.

That was the Disir's judgement.

Mordred's life is Arthur's
punishment for rejecting magic.

You mustn't blame yourself.

But it is my fault.

Mordred is alive and well.

He's free to play his part
in Arthur's death

and there is nothing I can do
to prevent it.

Nothing.

Where is she?

I thought we could play
a little game.

Whatever twisted game
you're playing,

I want no part in it.