The Beginning of the End (AKA Merlin and Morgana get to know eachother better)

This episode will focus mainly on Morgana, Merlin and the little boy that is in between them. His name is Mordred. To begin, Mordred and another man are in Camelot buying rations when guards come to seize them. For what, I'm not sure but most likely magic. I believe that they were called Druids at one point. However these questions are for another time because right now Mordred and the man are running for their lives. They dash through the streets, the guards hot on their tails. Suddenly, the man rushes Mordred through the doors that lead to the castle's courtyard. He tells Mordred to run and closes the doors with magic, but not before one of the guards cuts the poor boy with his sword.

Cue Merlin walking around in the courtyard. He's strolling along when he hears a voice inside his head. Merlin quickly finds the origin of the voice, which is Mordred, who appears very weakened, crying for help. Merlin takes the boy into the castle. Unfortunately, the boys are noticed by the guard, who immediately chase after them.

Merlin takes Mordred to Morgana's chambers and she lets the boys in. Soon after, Mordred faints from exhaustion. Meanwhile, Arthur is against executing the Druid man that was with Mordred, on the basis that they are a peaceful people. Unfortunately, Arthur's wishes are unheeded  as the execution takes place. Merlin and Morgana watch the execution until Morgana opts to be with Mordred. When the axe finally lands, Mordred lets out a scream with his mind, of course, and breaks Morgana's mirror.

Later, Morgana and Merlin size each other up while watching over Mordred, who is asleep. Morgana wonders if magic chooses people rather than the other way around and fiercely claims that Uther is wrong. This seems to give quite a good impression upon Merlin.

After having a rather fear inducing dinner with Uther, Morgana is in quite the rush to get Mordred out of Camelot. Unfortunately, his wound prevents this. Merlin says that he can treat it and goes through Gaius' books. However,  before he can tend to Mordred, Gaius fins him and delays Merlin with the basics of becoming a physician, mainly anatomy.

While Merlin is treating Mordred, Mordred calls him Emrys, using his mind/magic speech. When Merlin inquires further, Mordred says that Merlin is known by his people. This prompts Merlin to visit with the Great Dragon, whom I missed. The Dragon tells Merlin that he originates from a legend and tells Merlin not to protect the boy. Merlin refuses these ideas.

Once Mordred is healed, Morgana attempts to sneak Mordred out of the castle, unfortunately she is stopped by Arthur. Arthur is, sadly, surrounded by his guards and cannot let them go. This leads them to be taken away, with Mordred being forced to the dungeons, with an execution hanging over his head.

As Morgana begs Uther to release the boy, he physically threatens her into silence. While she anguishes over her failure to help Mordred, Arthur attempts to convince his father to another punishment besides execution. Clearly, none of this sits right with him. Which of course makes things easier for Morgana when she recruits him to help Mordred.

Arthur, Morgana and Merlin all concoct the plan to sneak the boy out of the castle. Before this plan can take part, Merlin is told by the Dragon that Mordred will kill Arthur, as is his destiny. Now Merlin has to make a choice between believing the Dragon and letting an innocent boy live. But he's not given much time to think.

Quickly, night settles and the plan commences. Morgana and Uther have dinner, to distract him and avoid Morgana's execution. Meanwhile, Arthur sneaks Mordred out. They run to a caged tunnel exit when the alarm sounds. Merlin was meant to be there to pull the bars off, but has decided to heed the Dragon's warning. As the guards get closer, Mordred calls out to Merlin, begging for help. Eventually, Merlin cannot ignore his honest cries. Merlin arrives and pulls the grate off.

Arthur and Mordred ride out into the forest, with Mordred's telepathic goodbye to Merlin. Once Uther is informed of the boy's disappearance, he immediately suspects Morgana and threatens her harshly. As Arthur delivers Mordred to his people, he and Mordred seem to have a sort of stare off and I really hope that Mordred doesn't kill Arthur in the future. But war drums are playing in the background and that's never good.

All images from: http://www.merlintvshow.com/photos/album/87763/108+The+Beginning+of+the+End

Video from: Megavideo.com