Arthur's Bane



"The prophets speak, of Arthur's Bane."

- Lochru to Merlin Arthur's Bane is a two-part story consisting of the first and second episodes of the fifth series of Merlin which is set to broadcast on the BBC on the 6th and 13 October 2012.

Part One
As the forces of fate cast a shadow over Camelot, Merlin must confront his darkest fears. Camelot basks in the halcyon days of a new golden age. But even as she flowers, so the dark seeds of her destruction are being sown... For in the frozen wastelands of the north, men are disappearing without trace. In search of answers, King Arthur and his knights must undertake a dangerous mission to the unknown. As the sun sets on the icy plains, Merlin finds himself locked in a battle unlike any he has fought before; a battle with fate itself.

Part Two
As dawn breaks across the icy tundra, Merlin and Arthur are close to exhaustion. With each tortured step, the fortress of Ismere looms ever nearer and Merlin's fear intensifies. What game is Mordred playing? And what powerful secrets are Morgana and the druid Ruadan searching for amongst its twisted catacombs? It seems like this time, not even Merlin can stop Arthur from walking right into the lion's den… For in this bleak and transient wilderness, only one thing is certain: the great trial for Albion has finally begun.

Part One
Merlin searches for Guinevere under Arthur's orders, but can't seem to find her, in which Arthur is not happy about. But soon after that, the Queen herself comes down the stairs with her new servant Sefa and apologizes to Arthur for being late. The Queen and King enter the Council Chambers after that, along with Merlin and Sefa following them. Arthur then welcomes all the Knights, Gaius and Guinevere to the meeting of the Round Table. He informs them that Sir Gwaine and sixty of the finest Knights of Camelot went missing in Ismere. They were attacked by a wolf unknowingly by the royal couple. Elyan led a search party for them, but had resulted in an unsuccessful journey: it was as if the Knights had vanished from Earth.

The injured Gwaine is soon found by Morgana, who takes him with her to the fortress nearby. She leaves him, and goes to talk to Ruadan. They talk about Arthur's Bane, which is what they both have been searching for for three months. According to Ruadan, the key to finding what it is the Key to All Knowledge, which according to him lies beneath their feet. Gwaine is then brought to them and Morgana asks him to help them in their search. At the same time, Percival and many other men work in the dungeons of the fortress. Gwaine quotes "Lady Morgana, we really have to stop meeting like this." Meanwhile Arthur, Guinevere, Elyan, Gaius and Leon are discussing how to save the missing Knights. Arthur has heard that the fortress of Ismere has been occupied. Elyan tells him that he also has heard many rumours, and that all of them had something to do with Morgana. Guinevere propses they go from the West through Queen Annis' lands. Arthur decides that they will leave at dawn and that no one must know of their plan.

The Knights then ride out of Camelot. Meanwhile, Gwaine and Percival are working in the dungeons. Percival says he found the other Knights, and what they all are searching for a key and Morgana will not rest before she has it. At the same time Leon, Eylan, Merlin and Arthur have arrived near Queen Annis' lands, and decide to take separate roads from then on. As they meet again, Elyan shows them a camp with a large number of dead people. While they examine the camp, Merlin hears his name being called, and goes to a cave nearby where the dying Lochru lies. He goes to him, and notices a symbol on his hand. Lochru awakes and tells him about Arthur's Bane and that he must act quickly. As he dies, Merlin sees a vision of a battle where Mordred is walking towards the injured Arthur and then pierces him with a sword.

Merlin is awaked from the vision by Arthur. He is clearly upset by what he has seen, and decides to seek theGreat Dragon's council. He finds out that the symbol is the Mark of Avatis, the symbol of a druid seer. He also tells the Dragon of Arthur's Bane and the vision he has seen. Kilgharrah that he has been singled out for a reason and that he alone can keep Arthur safe. The next day, Arthur, Merlin and his Knights arrive at Annis' castle. Annis welcomes them with a feast. Annis tells Arthur that the Saxons are rounding up many men and taking them to Ismere and that Morgana is tearing the citadel apart to find something. This tells Arthur that his men may still be alive.

Merlin is then forced to perform, and he juggles with four eggs much to the crowds pleasure. Later that night, he tries to warn Arthur not to go to Ismere, but Arthur does not listen to him. In Camelot, Sefa leaves the castle and goes to a fortress to meet with Ruadan. She tells him Arthur and his men are going to Ismere through Queen Annis' lands. It is then revealed that Ruadan is Sefas father. The next morning, Arthur, Merlin and the Knights continue their journey. At the same time, Guinevere informs Sefa that she saw her leave the city. Ruadan arrives back to Ismere at the same time and tells her that Arthur is approaching from the West in less than a day. Morgana then orders him to prepare for battle.

The Knights, Merlin and Arthur are staying in camp for the night. Arthur tries to cheer up Merlin.Meanwhile, Morgana rides out from the citadel with her army. They approach Arthur and his men by the next morning. Arthur tries to flee, but it is impossible: the Knights must now stay and fight. Leon faces Ruadan, who injures him badly. Arthur comes to his rescue, but is hit by him as well. Merlin drags the unconscious Arthur off the battlefield. As Arthur awakes later, they continue their journey.

Meanwhile in the dungeons of the fortress the men are sleeping. Gwaine awakes, as he sees a strange blue light flickering nearby. At the same time Merlin and Arthur are making their way to Ismere. Leon, Elyan and other Knights who were with Arthur and Merlin arrive back to Camelot and inform Gaius and Guinevere about what happened. They realise someone betrayed them. At the same time Merlin tells Arthur about what Lochru told him. Arthur tells him that he will save his men at any cost. In the dungeons, Gwaine once again notices the blue light and goes towards it. He is then knocked unconscious by two guards.

As Merlin and Arthur wake up the next morning, they hear Morgana and his men riding by. They continuetheir journey, and are soon caught. At the same time in Camelot, Sefa is brought before Queen Guinevere. She is questioning her, as she knows she heard what was said in the meeting and that she left the citadel. Sefa does not deny this, and is forced to tell Guinevere that she met with her father. Guinevere then sentences her to death and orders her to be taken to the cells.

In the dungeons, Gwaine is approached by a strange blue creature who heals him. In the morning, Merlin and Arthur are finally freed from the web and are approached by Ragnor and his men. They are saved by Mordred, who tells them that their fate should be decided by Morgana. Mordred tells Arthur he saved him many years ago, and at the same time Merlin realizes who he is and reveals his name: Mordred. Mordred looks Arthur in the eye with strange manner and says "Hello Arthur."

Part Two
TBA

Main Cast

 * Merlin - Colin Morgan
 * King Arthur - Bradley James
 * Queen Guinevere - Angel Coulby
 * Morgana - Katie McGrath
 * Sir Gwaine - Eoin Macken
 * Sir Elyan - Adetomiwa Edun
 * Sir Leon - Rupert Young
 * Sir Percival - Tom Hopper
 * Gaius - Richard Wilson

Recurring Cast

 * Kilgharrah - John Hurt
 * Mordred - Alexander Vlahos
 * Queen Annis - Lindsay Duncan (part 1 only)

Guest Cast

 * Ruadan - Liam Cunningham
 * Lochru - Julian Glover (part 1 only)
 * Sefa - Sophie Rundle
 * Ragnor - Stephen McCole
 * The Euchdag - Josette Simon

Broadcast
Arthur's Bane: Part One October 6, 2012 - 7.45pm BBC One and BBC One HD

Arthur's Bane: Part Two October 13, 2012 - 8.25pm BBC One and BBC One HD

Trivia

 * Mordred returns in this season premiere of Series 5, however he is played by a different actor, Alexander Vlahos.
 * There's a high chance Aithusa will appear in the first two-parter.
 * Unlike the four previous seasons, there are only five names listed in the opening credits as opposed to the original six; these are (in order seen): Colin Morgan (Merlin), Angel Coulby (Gwen), Bradley James (Arthur), Katie McGrath (Morgana) and Richard Wilson (Gaius). The other difference in the credits is the clip that originally had Uther in it has been removed and has been replaced with Gaius. It is currently unknown if Alexander Vlahos (Mordred) will be added in the credits in upcoming episodes.
 * This episode marks the first episode that Morgana, as a high priestess, doesn't use magic.