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| - A carnival has come to Camelot complete with jugglers, acrobats and fire-eaters, and Merlin watches from Arthur’s window in delight. Arthur however, is not as easily impressed. Merlin is confused as to why he isn’t more enthusiastic about the fact that it’s his birthday (gee, maybe it’s got something to do with all the bad stuff that went down in the last two episodes) but Arthur refuses to get excited about the celebrations that night. Down in the banquet hall, the entertainers are preparing, and the Gleeman approaches a dwarf rummaging through a chest in search of Prince Arthur’s special gift. The Gleeman produces a small casket and claims that he took care of it himself. Inside are three small daggers, and the Gleeman throws one at a target with perfect accuracy. Up in Uther’s chambers, Arthur is discussing court matters with his catatonic father, only for Uther to emerge from his depression in order to say that he’s remembered it’s his son’s birthday. That evening the banquet hall is filled with the carnival folk: dancers, fire-eaters, jugglers and acrobats. Arthur and Uther sit together and toast each other, the knights watch from their own table, and Merlin and Gwen stand to the side. The Gleeman asks for a volunteer and suggests Arthur, telling him it’s a perfect opportunity for him to prove his legendary bravery. Merlin looks a little worried as Arthur lets himself be tied to a spinning target with an apple shoved into his mouth, and Gwen is petrified as the target begins to turn. Uther on the other hand, looks remarkably happy at the sight of a perfect stranger throwing knives at his only son. Two of the Gleeman’s knives hit the target either side of Arthur’s head, and the final one slices into the apple still stuck in his mouth. Everyone looks relieved as Arthur is untied and cheerfully begins to eat the apple. But the Gleeman informs the dwarf that the apple is laced with sedatives, and will soon take effect, leaving him vulnerable for attack. Up in Arthur’s room, Merlin is questioning whether Arthur wasn’t just a little bit scared. Arthur denies it, stumbling about and looking incredibly drunk, before deciding to visit his father. Merlin advises against it, on the basis that Arthur isn’t wearing any pants. For real. After re-panting himself, Arthur slouches through the castle corridors to his father’s quarters, followed close behind by the Gleeman. Uther is drowsing in his chair and Arthur removes the goblet from his hand before taking a seat in the chair opposite him. Outside, the Gleeman takes a sword from the unconscious guards and enters the room. He is just about to strike when Arthur notices him approaching in the reflection of the wine pitcher upon the table. He just manages to block the killing blow in time, but stumbles badly and falls upon the floor. The Gleeman is about to finish him off, when once again his sword is blocked – this time by Uther. A vicious sword-fight between the two men commences in the confines of the room, restricting their movements. Uther is severely weakened, but manages to get the upper-hand and disarm the Gleeman. As Uther stands over him, the Gleeman yanks a dagger from his boot and stabs upwards, just as Uther lands the killing blow. The Gleeman dies, and Uther collapses backwards into Arthur’s arms. Arthur notices blood on his tunic and calls for the guards, but they’ve reached an all-new level of uselessness. Arthur begins to cry as Uther shuts his eyes. The following morning, Gaius, Arthur and Gwen stand around Uther’s bed. Gaius tells Arthur that the blade has touched Uther’s heart, and there’s nothing that he can do to save him. It’s only a matter of time. Merlin watches solemnly in the background. Down in the council chamber, Agravaine is telling Arthur that they’ve traced the the assassin back to King Odin, who is apparently still out to avenge the death of his son. As Agravaine leaves, Merlin enters, and tells Arthur that there’s no change in Uther’s condition. In the forest, Agravaine startles Morgana as he enters her little hut to tell her the good news: Uther has been mortally wounded and lies on his death-bed. Agravaine goes on to tell her that Arthur is devastated, but when Morgana suggests that they strike while he’s vulnerable, Agravaine catches her by the arm. Morgana is not happy with this contact, and Agravaine apologetically releases her as he explains that it would be better for the two of them to bide their time and wait for the right opportunity. Arthur watches as Gwen attends to Uther, and thanks her for her kindness. She tells him that she does it for him, but can offer no more comfort as Arthur insists that he can’t watch his father suffer and die before his eyes. Outside, the citizens of Camelot have gathered in a candlelight vigil, and Arthur joins Merlin by the window to look over them. Merlin tries to suggest that Arthur prepare himself for the worst, but Arthur has another idea – what if he used magic in order to save his father’s life? In the physician’s quarters, Merlin is going over his plan with Gaius, who is appalled at the risk he’s taking. Merlin wants to don his “Dragoon” persona and heal Uther with his magic, thereby proving to Arthur that it can be a force for good. Merlin believes it’s worth the risk, for if he’s successful, he won’t have to hide anymore. Merlin goes to Arthur with news of a sorcerer living in the forest who may be able to help. He received directions from Gaius and knows how to find him. Arthur gives the order to ready the horses so that they can leave in the morning and then goes to Agravaine’s chambers to tell him of his plans. Agravaine is aghast at the idea of using magic to save Uther’s life, telling him that magic was the cause of his mother’s death. However, Arthur’s mind is made up. The following day Merlin leads Arthur to the woodsman’s hut that he and Lancelot took shelter in. Arthur goes to knock on the door, but Merlin refuses to follow, telling him that he’d rather mind the horses. Arthur peeks inside the hut to find it empty and goes outside to find Merlin making a dash for the trees. The slash fan-fic seems to be writing itself this episode. Anyway, Arthur returns to the hut and Merlin heads into the bushes, muttering the right spell. Inside, Arthur accidentally knocks over a pot just as “Dragoon” hobbles through the door with a bunch of herbs. Dragoon hands him a broom to sweep up the broken pot, but Arthur tries to leave, remembering their last meeting. Dragoon calls him back, telling him that he’s capable of healing Uther with magic – his only price is that people who use magic should be accepted rather than hunted. Arthur gives his solemn word that should Dragoon heal his father, he won’t have to live in fear. Dragoon is delighted with this, though less so when Arthur suggests that he use Merlin’s horse to ride back to Camelot. Dragoon tells him he needs to collect some herbs, and will come to Camelot at nightfall. They agree to meet at the lower gate outside the town. Dragoon rushes from the hut and hurries into the trees. Baffled, Arthur takes a seat at the table as Merlin takes the potion to restore him to his normal self. Having waited long enough, Arthur emerges from the hut to find Merlin. Back in Camelot, Merlin rushes into Gaius’s quarters and begins to rummage through the books. Merlin excitedly tells Gaius that if he can heal Uther with magic, then magic will no longer be outlawed. Agravaine returns to Morgana’s hut and tells her of Arthur’s plans. Morgana prepares a charm in her cauldron, entrusting it to Agravaine and telling him to place it over Uther’s neck. Whatever magic is worked on Uther, it will be reserved and magnified tenfold. By trying to heal Uther, Arthur will only end up killing him. Gaius gives Merlin the right spell to use on Uther. Upstairs, Gwen is startled by Agravaine who suggests that she light a fire. As soon as she’s gone, Agravaine roughly yanks the charm down over Uther’s neck. Gaius and Merlin are preparing the spell when they hear Arthur calling for him. As Arthur barges in, Gaius suggests that Merlin is at the tavern; an excuse that Merlin is none-too-happy with once Arthur shuts the door to reveal that Merlin was hiding behind it. Arthur waits at the lower gate, and Dragoon appears behind him, somewhat disgruntled that Arthur doesn’t want to be seen entering the castle with him, but acquiescing to the terms of their agreement: that if he heals Uther, he’ll get everything Arthur has promised. Arthur impatiently hustles him through the lower floors of the castle, only for Dragoon to insist on a piggy-back ride in order to hurry them up. Upstairs, Arthur dismisses the guards, and ushers Dragoon into Uther’s bedchamber. Dragoon drips a potion into Uther’s mouth and prepares a small bundle of leaves. Arthur suddenly looks reluctant. Arthur looks down at his father, and gestures for Dragoon to continue. Dragoon begins the spell and waves the smoking leaves over Uther’s body. His eyes glow golden as the spell ends. They wait…and suddenly Uther’s eyes open wide. He and Arthur smile at one another, and Arthur begins to laugh in relief – until Uther begins to gasp in pain. He falls back on the pillow, his eyes wide and staring. Dragoon checks his pulse and realizes that he’s dead. Devastated, Arthur turns on Dragoon, forcing him to throw Arthur telekinetically across the room. The Ominous Latin Chanting begins as Dragoon makes a run for it, and changes himself back into Merlin in one of the corridors of the castle. The warning bell is ringing and guards are rushing up and down the halls as Merlin hurries back into Uther’s room. Gwen and Arthur are standing by as Gaius closes Uther’s eyes. Back down in the physician’s quarters, Merlin is devastated that the spell didn’t work. Gaius produces the charm from his sleeve and shows it to Merlin. They come to the swift conclusion that it was Morgana’s doing. In her hut, Morgana is oddly subdued as Agravaine opens the door to share the news. There are no smirks as she processes the fact that her father is dead. Morgana merely turns away. Arthur is sitting at the table in his room when Merlin enters and tells him that he’s not to blame for what happened. Merlin looks gutted as Arthur stands to answer the ominous knock on the door. In the throne room, Arthur approaches his father’s body lying on a bier in the middle of the floor. Uther’s body has been dressed with his crown, sword and red cloak. Gaius and Merlin close the doors behind him, leaving him to grieve. He suggests that they go and have some supper, but Merlin declines. Inside, Arthur kisses his father’s forehead and prepares for his night’s vigil. The sun rises, and Merlin is half-asleep against the staircase in the antechamber. Behind him the doors open and he looks up to see Arthur’s shadow on the wall before him. Arthur closes the door on his father and takes a deep breath as he turns back to Merlin. He realizes that they’re both hungry, and suggests that Merlin cook them breakfast as they head up the stairs. Outside, feet run up the castle steps. The guards stand at attention. Heralds play their trumpets. The Pendragon flag is raised. Inside the throne room, Arthur approaches the dais at the end of the hall. Everyone in the room bows as he passes, and he kneels before the throne. The crown is lowered onto Arthur’s head and he turns to face his people. Agravaine gives the first shout of “long live the king” and the rest of the crowd follows, including Sirs Leon, Percival, Elyan and Gwaine. Beside Merlin, Guinevere is radiant as she whispers: “long live the king.” Merlin himself waits, listening to the chants, before he himself yells out: “long live the king!”
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