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{{Episode Infobox
| image = [[File:Merlin934.jpg|250px]]
| story name = The Last Dragonlord
| series = 2
| number = 13
| cast = {{Collapse|
* [[Colin Morgan]]
* [[Bradley James]]
* [[Angel Coulby]]
* [[Richard Wilson]]
* [[Anthony Head]]
* [[John Hurt]]
* [[John Lynch]]}}
| enemy = [[Kilgharrah]]
| place =
* [[Camelot]]
* [[Cenred's Kingdom]]
| spells = {{Collapse|
* [[Telekinesis]]
* [[Healing Spells]]
* [[Dragonlord Magic]]
* [[Enchantment to Strengthen Mortal Weapons]]}}
| writer = [[Julian Jones]]
| director = [[Jeremy Webb]]
| producer = 
* [[Johnny Capps]]
* [[Julian Murphy]]
| broadcast date = 
* Sat 19 Dec 2009 BBC One
* Mon 21 Dec 2009 BBC Three
| format = 1x50
| production code = 2.13
| previous story = ''[[The Fires of Idirsholas]]''
| next story = ''[[The Tears of Uther Pendragon]]''
| preview = }}
{{Quote|You're the last [[Dragonlord]] now. You alone carry the [[Dragonlord Magic|ancient gift]]. Deep within yourself, you must find the [[Dragon Language|voice]] that you and [[Kilgharrah]] share, for your soul and his are brothers. When you speak to him as kin, he must obey your will.|[[Balinor]] to [[Merlin]]}}

'''''The Last Dragonlord''''' is the thirteenth and final episode of the [[Series 2|second series]] of ''[[Merlin (TV series)|Merlin]]'', which was first broadcast on the 19th of December 2009.

It marks the first appearance and death of [[Balinor]], the [[Kilgharrah|Great Dragon]]'s [[Razing of Camelot|revenge]] on [[Camelot]], and [[Merlin]]'s inheritance of his [[Dragonlord]] [[Dragonlord Magic|powers]].

== Synopsis ==
The [[Kilgharrah|Great Dragon]] is finally free. Full of rage, he [[Razing of Camelot|attacks]] [[Camelot]] with pitiless intensity. The [[citadel]] is crumbling and [[Arthur Pendragon|Arthur]]'s men cannot hold out much longer, but only a [[Dragonlord]] can command a [[dragon]] and [[Uther Pendragon|Uther]] wiped them all out years ago. Or did he? [[Gaius]] admits one such man could still be alive and in hiding.

The last Dragonlord is the key to [[Merlin]]'s own past as well as the future of Camelot, but will Arthur and Merlin find [[Balinor]] in time to save the kingdom?

== Plot ==
[[File:Kilgharrah-15.png|thumb|left|220px|The [[Kilgharrah|Dragon]]'s [[Razing of Camelot|attack]] on [[Camelot]].]]
With the [[Kilgharrah|Great Dragon]] liberated, [[Camelot]] falls victim to his [[Razing of Camelot|vengeful attacks]]. [[Arthur Pendragon|Arthur]] and his men patrol the city while [[Gaius]] and [[Guinevere Pendragon|Gwen]] attend to the injured. Gwen worries that the attacks are too powerful even for Arthur to overcome, but Gaius asks her to have faith in him.

As Arthur and his men take their posts armed with flaming [[crossbow]]s, [[Merlin]] apologises. Arthur rejects it, saying it's not his fault the Dragon is free. As the Dragon flies over the city, he gives the order to fire. As they do, the Dragon showers them with flames.

Realising that there is no clean water remaining in the treatment zone, Gwen goes against Gaius' wishes and ventures outside to fetch more. By doing so, Gwen puts herself directly in the Dragon's firing line. Arthur rushes to save her, but as they both run for cover Arthur is struck down by the Dragon. Merlin [[Enchantment to Strengthen Mortal Weapons|ignites a spear]] and [[Telekinesis|hurls it]] at the Dragon, but it simply bounces off. The Dragon taunts Merlin and flies away without giving him a reason for the attacks.

Tending to Arthur's wound back within the [[Citadel|castle]] walls, Gwen tells him that he shouldn't have risked his life. Arthur replies that he wasn't going to let anything happen to her and holds her hand to his heart, with Gaius smiling on. Merlin returns unharmed, but quite defeated.

[[File:Balinor's Cave.png|thumb|right|220px|[[Merlin]] searches for [[Balinor]]'s [[Balinor's Cave|Cave]].]]
The following morning, Arthur relays the level of destruction caused by the Dragon to [[Uther Pendragon|Uther]]. Gaius says that only a [[Dragonlord]] can end the attacks, and one named [[Balinor]] may still be alive. Arthur offers to find Balinor on his own despite Uther's protests and departs with Merlin.

According to Gaius, the Dragonlords were men who could tame the Dragons. Uther believed [[Dragonlord Magic|their art]] was too close to [[magic]] and therefore had them slaughtered during the [[Great Purge]]. Gaius reveals to Merlin that Balinor is in fact Merlin's father, and that Gaius had helped him escape death all those years before. Overcome, Merlin sets off with Arthur after receiving advice from Gaius to keep his relationship to Balinor secret.

Arthur and Merlin ride to Balinor's last known whereabouts: the village of [[Engerd]] in [[Cenred's Kingdom]]. There, they learn that Balinor has become a hermit living in a [[Balinor's Cave|cave]] in the [[Feorre Mountains]]. While riding to the cave, Arthur's wound becomes infected and he passes out, leaving Merlin to lead the way.

Merlin eventually finds Balinor and asks for his help to [[Healing Spells|heal]] Arthur. Merlin tries to keep Arthur's identity secret by claiming that he's a [[knight]] named [[Lancelot]], but Balinor sees through his lies and deduces that he is really the [[Prince of Camelot]].

[[File:Merlin213 0821.jpg|thumb|left|220px|[[Balinor]] [[Healing Spells|heals]] [[Arthur Pendragon|Arthur]]'s wound.]]
While Arthur sleeps, Merlin tries to learn more about his father and get him to join them in Camelot. Balinor, still unaware he has a son, refuses to help Camelot because of what he and the Dragon (whom he knows as [[Kilgharrah]]) suffered at the hands of Uther.

As Camelot continues to crumble, Gaius comforts Gwen. He assures her [[Morgana Pendragon|Morgana]] is alright wherever she is and reveals that he has noticed the [[Arthur and Guinevere|mutual feelings]] between herself and Arthur. Gaius tells Gwen to never underestimate the power of love, re-instilling hope that the two can be together.

When he wakes the next morning, Arthur is amazed at his recovery and tries to persuade Balinor to help them, but the Dragonlord refuses and bids him farewell. While Arthur prepares to leave, Merlin makes one last effort to gain Balinor's help by mentioning Gaius' name, whom Balinor states is a good man. However, Arthur's constant calls for Merlin prevents him from telling Balinor anything else, so Merlin leaves.

In the forest, Arthur and Merlin trade playful insults until they are alerted to a noise. It turns out to be Balinor, who has decided to join them in the fight because he feels indebted to Gaius for saving his life. Later, while he and Balinor are alone collecting firewood, Merlin is finally able to tell him that he is his son.

[[File:Balinor mortaly wounded.png|thumb|right|220px|[[Merlin]] uses his [[magic]] to protect a mortally wounded [[Balinor]].]]
As they prepare to return to Camelot the next morning, the group is attacked by [[Cenred]]'s soldiers and Balinor dies protecting Merlin. He imparts words of wisdom to Merlin and says that his son will make him proud.

Devastated, Merlin continues with Arthur on their journey and eventually return to Camelot safe. Resigned to the fact that the last Dragonlord is dead, Arthur tells his father that he and [[Knight of Camelot|his knights]] will fight the Dragon on their own.

Later, in Gaius' [[Gaius' Chambers|chambers]], Merlin mourns the death of his father. He tells Gaius what had happened in the forest and of what his father had told him. Gaius reveals that Merlin has inherited the power of the Dragonlord, and time will tell if he is strong enough to harness it.

As he prepares Arthur for war, Merlin asks Arthur to be careful in battle and decides to join him in the fight. Arthur tries to dissuade him, but Merlin insists and together they lead the knights out of the castle towards the final battle.

Arthur and Merlin lead the knights out of the castle towards the [[Duel between Arthur and Kilgharrah|final battle]]. The Dragon swiftly dispatches the knights, leaving Arthur and Merlin to face him on their own. Armed with a spear, Arthur survives a fireball and stabs the Dragon. Enraged, the Dragon recoils and sends Arthur to the ground, unconscious.

[[File:Merlin 213 5.png|thumb|left|220px|[[Kilgharrah]] bows to [[Merlin]]'s will.]]
Merlin, hearing the words of his father, [[Dragon Language|commands]] the Dragon to stop his attack. He picks up a spear to kill the Dragon, but chooses to spare his life instead and orders him to leave and never attack Camelot again. Grateful, Kilgharrah promises never to forget Merlin's clemency and flies away.

When Arthur comes to, Merlin tells him that he, Arthur, killed the Dragon, causing Arthur to laugh out of relief. The fight over, Arthur and Merlin return to the castle. Gwen runs into Arthur's arms, relieved to not have lost him, and as they hug Gaius expresses to Merlin his pride. As Arthur and Gwen leave, a triumphant Gaius and Merlin walk back inside.

== Cast ==
=== Main Cast ===
* [[Colin Morgan]] as [[Merlin]]
* [[Bradley James]] as [[Arthur Pendragon]]
* [[Angel Coulby]] as [[Guinevere Pendragon|Gwen]]
* [[Richard Wilson]] as [[Gaius]]
* [[Anthony Head]] as [[Uther Pendragon]]

=== Recurring Cast ===
* [[John Hurt]] as the voice of [[Kilgharrah]]
* [[Rupert Young]] as [[Leon|Sir Leon]]
* [[John Lynch]] as [[Balinor]]

=== Guest Cast ===
* [[Jonathan Coyne]] as [[Asgerd]]
* [[Alexander Delamere]] as the [[Innkeeper]]

== Continuity ==
* This episode marks the first appearance of [[Balinor]].
* This episode marks the [[Kilgharrah|Great Dragon]]'s [[Razing of Camelot|revenge]] on [[Camelot]].
* This episode marks [[Merlin]] inheriting his [[Dragonlord Magic|Dragonlord powers]] and becoming the last [[Dragonlord]].
* Merlin uses the same [[Enchantment to Strengthen Mortal Weapons|enchantment]] he used to kill the [[Griffin]] and [[Questing Beast]] against the Dragon.
* [[Uther Pendragon|Uther]] states that Camelot's treaty with [[Cenred's Kingdom]] no longer holds and that they are at war.
* It is revealed that Uther had the Dragonlords rounded up and slaughtered during the [[Great Purge]].
* [[Gaius]] tells Merlin that he helped Balinor escape from Camelot, and that he lived with [[Hunith]] in [[Ealdor]] until the [[Knights of Camelot]] forced him to flee.
* Merlin learns that Balinor is his father.
* Gaius tries to comfort [[Guinevere Pendragon|Gwen]] about [[Morgana Pendragon|Morgana]]'s [[The Fires of Idirsholas|kidnapping]].
* Gaius tells Gwen he is aware of her and [[Arthur Pendragon|Arthur]]'s [[Arthur and Guinevere|feelings for each other]].
* Merlin uses [[Lancelot]]'s name while trying to hide Arthur's true identity from Balinor.
* Balinor reveals that the Great Dragon's name is [[Kilgharrah]], and that Uther once tricked him into using his Dragonlord powers to help capture him.
* Merlin informs Balinor that Hunith is his mother, that she never married, and that he is his son.
* Kilgharrah is grateful when Merlin spares his life and promises not to forget his clemency.
* To protect [[Magic|his secret]], Merlin tells Arthur that he (Arthur) killed the Dragon.

== Behind the Scenes ==
* At the May 2010 London Expo Press Conference, [[Johnny Capps]] revealed the episode's original ending had [[Merlin]] and [[Arthur Pendragon|Arthur]] finding [[Morgana Pendragon|Morgana]] in the council chambers.
* The battle scene against the [[Kilgharrah|Great Dragon]] was shot in the football field near the castle of [[Château de Pierrefonds|Pierrefonds]] .<ref name="anecdotes">[https://merlin.hypnoweb.net/merlin/guide-des-episodes/fiches-lock/213-lattaque-du-grand-dragon/tournage-213.158.717/ Merlin Hypnoweb - Les anecdotes du tournage]</ref>
* A translation of the words Merlin uses against the Great Dragon at the end of the episode:
** "I order you to put an end to this reign of terror, you have caused enough pain and suffering to this people, you must obey me and follow my will, for I have you under my power. You will no longer bring death and destruction to this land. ""<ref name="anecdotes">[https://merlin.hypnoweb.net/merlin/guide-des-episodes/fiches-lock/213-lattaque-du-grand-dragon/tournage-213.158.717/ Merlin Hypnoweb - Les anecdotes du tournage]</ref>

== Production Errors ==
* [[Leon|Sir Leon]] survives the battle with the [[Kilgharrah|Dragon]], but is not shown returning to [[Camelot]] with [[Arthur Pendragon|Arthur]] and [[Merlin]].
* During the [[Duel between Arthur and Kilgharrah|fight]] with the Dragon, it's pouring rain in the close-ups of Merlin, but not raining in other shots.

== Trivia ==
* This is [[Colin Morgan]]'s favorite episode.
* This is the second episode not to feature [[Morgana Pendragon|Morgana]], after ''[[The Lady of the Lake]]''.
* This episode is 5 minutes longer than the others, marking it the longest episode in the series.
* [[Balinor]] is the third person to die in [[Merlin]]'s arms, after his friend [[William]] and his lover [[Freya]].
* Colin Morgan would have liked to keep the [[Carved Dragon|wooden dragon]] that Balinor makes for Merlin.<ref name="anecdotes">[https://merlin.hypnoweb.net/merlin/guide-des-episodes/fiches-lock/213-lattaque-du-grand-dragon/tournage-213.158.717/ Merlin Hypnoweb - Les anecdotes du tournage]</ref>

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery}}

== Transcript ==
{{transcript}}

== See Also ==
* Characters: [[Balinor]], [[Asgerd]], [[Kilgharrah]]
* Locations: [[Cenred's Kingdom]], [[Engerd]], [[Forest of Merendra]], [[Feorre Mountains]], [[Balinor's Cave]]
* Creatures: [[Dragon]], [[Dragonlord]], [[Kilgharrah]]
* Magic: [[Dragonlord Magic]], [[Healing Spells]], [[Dragon Language]]
* Objects: [[Carved Dragon]]
* Events: [[Razing of Camelot]], [[Duel between Arthur and Kilgharrah]]

== References ==
<references />

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