The Castle of Fyrien is the seventh episode of the third series of Merlin, which was first broadcast on the 23rd of October 2010.
It marks the first appearance of Elyan, the second appearance of King Cenred, and Morgana's first attempt on Arthur's life.
Synopsis
Gwen finds herself with an impossible dilemma when she is forced to choose between Arthur and her estranged brother, Elyan. With one of them certain to die at Cenred's hand, who will Gwen choose? The love of her life, or her only sibling?
Loyalties are tested to the limit and friendships are thrown to the fore as Arthur, Merlin and Gwen work together to try and find a way out of the situation. But with Morgana and Morgause doing all that they can to scupper their three enemies' plan, can good conquer evil, or will Gwen lose another of those she loves?
Plot
After putting out Morgana's bedside light, a tired Gwen makes her way back to her house. Just as she removes her cloak, a man appears from behind the screen. Gwen arms herself with a metal poker, only for another man to grab her from behind. He holds a cloth to her face dosed with a drug that renders her unconscious. Morgana watches as they take her away on horseback.
The next morning, Arthur complains as Merlin awakens him with his usual greeting of "Rise and shine!". Not impressing Arthur with any of his alternatives, Merlin makes a hasty retreat as Arthur throws a pot at him.
At breakfast, Uther notices that Morgana is troubled and she reveals that Gwen did not turn up for work that morning. Uther is nonchalant, but Arthur seems more worried while Morgana secretly smirks when no one is watching. Outside, Arthur is visibly upset and asks Merlin to go to Gwen's house and find out what is wrong.
Merlin finds her house empty and his confusion increases as he spots her cloak laid upon her bed and the poker resting on the table from where she had dropped it. Suddenly a rag on the floor catches his eye. Taking a careful sniff he coughs, the drug very strong. He worries as he realizes she must have been taken.
Meanwhile, Morgause opens the panel to a cell door revealing a young man within. Cenred informs Morgause the prisoner was exactly where Morgana said he'd be.
Gwen is brought, bound, to Cenred, and is surprised when he cuts he ropes. She is confused as another prisoner is brought into the room, and shocked when it is revealed to be her brother, Elyan. They are returned to the cells, where Elyan tells Gwen of his similar kidnapping; unbeknownst to them they are being watched by Morgause and Cenred.
Merlin shows Arthur the rag he found at Gwen's house. He doesn't believe it to be important, but as Merlin persists that he smell it, Arthur breathes it in deeply, enough for the drug to take slight effect. Merlin manages to magically move a chair behind Arthur as he falls. Once he comes to moments later, Merlin implies the drug must have been used to knock Gwen unconscious.
Cenred finally reveals his plan to Gwen, stating that if she doesn't bring him Arthur within a week, he will kill Elyan. Meanwhile, Arthur informs his father that he believes Gwen was kidnapped and wishes to send out a search party. Uther disapproves, but eventually agrees to send the guards to search the Lower Town for the day, as she is Morgana's maid. Despite Arthur's arguments, he refuses to use anymore resources.
The next morning, Gwen is back tidying Morgana's chambers. Merlin later bumps into her in the corridor and is relieved that she is safe, but soon realises something is amiss when he notices the rope burns on her wrists. Unable to continue acting as Merlin worriedly questions her, she begins to cry as her ordeal and current situation comes back to her.
Back in her home, Gwen tells Merlin of Cenred's demands and he convinces her to tell Arthur. Arthur immediately decides upon a rescue mission to save Elyan, who he is sure is held at the Castle of Fyrien.
During the night, Morgana visits Morgause and tells her that Arthur has chosen to rescue Elyan. They plot to kill Arthur during the rescue mission so Morgana will become the sole heir to the throne of Camelot.
The next morning, Arthur uses the excuse of having to find silk for two dresses that he owes Morgana after losing a bet. Uther, amused, allows him to travel.
Merlin tells Gaius of his suspicions about Morgana's role in the kidnapping. Gaius knows Arthur can't risk being captured for Gwen's brother, but Merlin assures him he'll look after him. Although slightly skeptical, Gaius bids him farewell.
Merlin is dismayed to find Morgana is accompanying them on the trip, but Arthur points out she would be more capable of defending him in the event of an attack. Merlin is far from surprised to hear that she insisted.
When the group stops to make camp, Arthur sends Merlin away, then moves to help Gwen unload her bags. They share a moment when Gwen reveals to Arthur her worry of losing her brother and that she'd try to rescue him even if his getting captured was his fault, as, "That's what you do when you love someone."
Meanwhile, having been sent out after Morgana by Arthur, Merlin tries to remind her of how much Arthur and Gwen care about her. Morgana, however, only warns Merlin to stay out of things. Merlin states that he'll do anything to protect them. After dropping her pile of firewood at his feet, Morgana stalks off back in the direction of the camp.
When all four at back at camp, Arthur outlines his plan to sneak into the Castle by way of a secret labyrinth hidden beneath it. That night, Morgana visits Morgause again and tells her Arthur's plan. Morgause gives her a magical ring which, when placed by the tunnel entrance, will help guide Cenred's men to it.
The next day, Merlin tries to stop Morgana from coming with them by making a snake scare her horse, causing it to throw her. Morgana hurts her ankle in the fall, but insists on continuing on.
Merlin, believing Morgana is up to something, tries to convince Arthur of taking another route, believing she had already revealed their alternative route to Morgause. Arthur, however, believes the tunnels beneath the castle to be their only hope of a successful entrance.
When the group reach the tunnel entrance, Morgana hangs back and sets Morgause's ring down on a nearby rock. As she follows the others inside, the ring begins to signal the tunnel's entrance by releasing a plume of orange smoke into the air.
Inside, Merlin tries to keep an eye on Morgana. Gwen screams at the discovery of a skeleton and soon afterward the group hears Cenred's guard approaching. Cenred's men capture them and take them up into the Castle.
Once the group is captured, Morgana is secretly reunited with Morgause and Cenred. Meanwhile, Arthur, Merlin, and Gwen are separated. Arthur and Merlin are placed in one cell while Gwen is reunited with Elyan. Arthur and Merlin manage to escape from their cell through a clever plan and teamwork and quickly rescue Gwen and Elyan. However, Arthur insists on going back for Morgana.
Upon hearing their captives have escaped, Morgana plays the role of an innocent victim about to be killed by Cenred. Morgause conjures a column of fire to kill Arthur, but Merlin secretly intervenes and uses his magic to cause the column of fire to explode.
The force of the explosion knocks Morgause and Cenred unconscious. While escaping, Merlin forcibly drags Morgana, who struggles partially due to her injured ankle but mostly to do with wanting to check if Morgause was alright. Merlin, however refuses to leave her behind and Arthur carries her outside.
On the way back to Camelot, Morgana tells Arthur she was interrogated for information and Arthur once again stresses Camelot was built on trust and it will "never be defeated".
Later, in Arthur's chambers, Gwen presents him with two silk dresses and once again thanks him for his help in saving her brother, saying "he means more to me than you will ever know". Arthur replies "It's like you said, Guinevere, that's what you do when you love someone". Arthur and Gwen exchange smiles as Gwen exits his chambers.
Cast
Main Cast
- Colin Morgan as Merlin
- Bradley James as Arthur Pendragon
- Angel Coulby as Gwen
- Katie McGrath as Morgana
- Richard Wilson as Gaius
- Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon
Recurring Cast
- Emilia Fox as Morgause
- Tom Ellis as Cenred
- Adetomiwa Edun as Elyan
Guest Cast
- Jody Halse as Fermin
Continuity
- This episode marks the first appearance of Elyan.
- This episode marks the second appearance of Cenred.
- This episode marks the second alliance between Cenred, Morgause, and Morgana.
- This episode marks Morgause and Morgana's first attempt on Arthur's life.
- This episode marks the first time Morgana uses Gwen and Arthur's relationship against them.
- Morgana brings up Merlin's poisoning attempt during their argument in the woods.
- Elyan learns about Gwen and Arthur's secret relationship.
- Elyan decides to stay in Camelot and take over Tom's Forge.
Release & Reception
- Air date : 23 October 2010. 6.82 million viewers.
Trivia
Gallery
To view the The Castle of Fyrien gallery, click here.
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Transcript
See Also
- Characters: Elyan, Morgause, Cenred, Fermin, Fyrien
- Locations: Guinevere's House, Castle of Fyrien, Darkling Woods
- Creatures: Horse, Snake
- Magic: Tracking Spells, Animal Control Spells, Fire Spells
- Objects: Morgause's Ring
- Relationships: Arthur and Guinevere
Series 3 |
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The Tears of Uther Pendragon • Goblin's Gold • Gwaine • The Crystal Cave • The Changeling • The Castle of Fyrien • The Eye of the Phoenix • Love in the Time of Dragons • Queen of Hearts • The Sorcerer's Shadow • The Coming of Arthur Interactive quest: The Quest for Morgana Mini-episode: Merlin in Need special |