User blog comment:Morganaforever/Where will all the characters be by the end of series 5?/@comment-4135736-20120418091906

In my opinion, this is how the characters will be by the end of Series 5 as I think the show might continue after that:

1) Merlin: In the end of the season he is no longer Arthur's manservant but his advisor, like he is in the legend, his magic is finally revealed to everyone else and he now wears a hooded cloak like the other sorcerers. Once magic returns to Camelot, he could perhaps become a mentor and advisor to other sorcerers. he will also be without his mother, Hunith, as she will be killed by Morgana after she learns that Merlin is the sorcerer Emrys.

2) Arthur: I don't think he should die in the end of this season at the hands of Mordred because his "death" ends the Arthurian Legend. I think Arthur by the end of this season will return magic to Camelot after learning that Merlin is a sorcerer and that magic can be used for good, and he will be respected by everyone as a great king.

3) Gwen: She will remain at Arthur's side as the Queen of Camelot, perhaps advising him or taking part in battles like him, but she is still there to help Merlin.

4) Morgana: Se will still be a great enemy towards Camelot and perhaps more of a foe to Merlin as in my version she learns about his magic as well as the fact that he is Emrys, but she will also show more confliction to the point that she forms a brief alliance with Merlin when they together have a common enemy which results in magic returning to Camelot.

5) Gaius: He no doubt will die because like you all said, Merlin needs to be more independant so he should die in a good way, by sacrificing himself to protect Merlin e.g. Merlin is attacked by both Morgana and Mordred and Gaius helps him by throwing Mordred with his magic (allowing Merlin to knock Morgana out) who unfortunately fatally wounds him by throwing a deadly spell at him, before getting knocked out by Gaius's attack. Gaius is returned to the kingdom and would then die with Merlin, Arthur and Gwen at his side, leaving them devastated as they loved Gaius.

6) The Knights of Camelot and Tristan: the knights will all remain at Arthur's side, Tristan will become a knight himself. I like the idea though of Tristan having hallucinations of Isolde but I think her death would encourage him to become a Knight of Camelot.

7) Kilgharrah and Aithusa: they will together help Merlin but, if the producers will show the dragon battle, eventually develop a rivalry in the process which worsens when Kilgharrah learns that Aithusa saved Morgana, leading to a fierce battle (I don't know how it will end). I think Kilgharrah will die in Series 6 (if it will happen) due to old age.