Merlin Season 3 Episode 11

Merlin: Did anyone think this tournament through? A contest, open to all comers, with a prize of 100 gold coins. I wonder what kind of people are going to turn up?
Arthur: It's tradition, Merlin. The tournament's been held every ten years for centuries. Nothing to worry about.
(A competitor chops a dummy's head off with a big axe)
Merlin: Tell me he can't use that in the contest!
Arthur: He can use what he likes. It's an open tournament.
Merlin: What about the knight's code?
Arthur: Counts for nothing. The only rule is: there are no rules.

(Gilli is booking a room at the inn)
Evoric: I'll have my money now.
Gilli: Why?
Evoric: Because you'll be dead by sunset.

Gilli: (To Merlin) I know what's it's like to be picked on.

Morgana: Remind me how many times you've won this tournament, Uther?
Uther: Three.
Morgana: That's a lot to live up to, Arthur.
Arthur: Indeed.

Morgana: I remember your last victory. You were a master in the arena. It's such a shame we won't see you compete again.
Uther: Who says you won't?
Morgana: I thought you said you were too old to take the field.
Uther: It's not age that stops me. I'd still prove a match for any man.
Arthur: Well, we won't be finding out.
Uther: Why ever not?
Arthur: Because I don't want you getting hurt.
(Uther laughs)
Morgana: Do you think you could still win the crown?
Arthur: The kingdom needs him to rule, not to fight.
Uther: You think I can't do both?

Morgana: (To Uther) It is such a shame. It would have been good for the people to see you compete one last time. But still, Arthur's probably right. You can't do everything.

Merlin: How're you feeling?
Arthur: Confident.
Merlin: Are you sure?
Arthur: Yes.
Merlin: Because last time this tournament was held... (Whispers) ...three men died.
Arthur: Really?
Merlin: That was just on the first day.
Arthur: Thanks for that, Merlin.
Merlin: And on that second day...
Arthur: Let's just get through the first...
Merlin: You're right, because that's when most people die.
Arthur: Merlin?
Merlin: Yes.
Arthur: Shut up.

Morgana: It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Camelot. This is a contest like no other. It is open to all-comers... including our reigning champion, the King (Arthur is astonished, the crowd cheers) There are no rules, no weapons are banned. The last man standing takes the prize. Let the tournament begin!

Merlin: He's using magic.
Gaius: I suspected as much. The ring bears a mark of the Old Religion. Such rings are very rare but they act as a conduit, a channel for magical powers.
Merlin: So he does have magic like me?
Gaius: He doesn't have your powers, Merlin. But to wield a ring such as that would need considerable gifts.
Merlin: Well, he's braver than me, using magic in front of all those people.
Gaius: Brave or stupid. If Uther finds out, he'll have him killed.

Gaius: It was clearly Gilli, judging by the scorch marks and the odour. There's an old healing spell, it's crude but it works. You heat the skin to coagulate the blood and it cauterises the wound.
Merlin: His shoulder? No wonder he didn't want any treatment.
Gaius: You'll have to talk to him before it's too late.

Merlin: For someone your size, to go and beat a man like that. I'm sure a lot of people are going to think you're using magic. I'm not going to tell anyone.
Gilli: I'm not using magic.
Merlin: You don't have to fear me.

(Merlin returns Gilli's ring to him)
Merlin: Where did you get it from?
Gilli: My father. He left it me.
Merlin: Did he have the same powers as you?
Gilli: He was a gifted man but he would not touch magic. He vowed never to use it. He feared it, wouldn't even let me talk about it.
Merlin: Why?
Gilli: He was scared Uther would find out, that the King would discover he was a sorcerer. Even when he was attacked, he had three men on him, he still wouldn't use this.
Merlin: Is that how he died?
Gilli: I'm not going to be like him.
Merlin: Because you want to be proud of who you are?
Gilli: All these questions...
Merlin: You remind me of someone I know.

Merlin: You saved my life and I'm trying to save yours. You need to withdraw from the tournament.
Gilli: It's an open competition. You're supposed to be able to use whatever skills you have.
Merlin: Fighting skills. You're not a swordsman or a gladiator. Fighting is not your talent. Magic is.
Gilli: Then why can't I use it?
Merlin: Because it's banned.
Gilli: Without magic, I'm a nobody. People think they can kick dirt in my face.
Merlin: You're not a nobody. You're... special.

Nollar: (To Gilli) I want you to help me decide... (Opens his clothes showing his weapons) ...which of these I'm going to kill you with

Gilli: To Merlin, after killing Nollar) I've never killed a man before. I just wanted to feel... what it was like to be... respected. But this... I'm not a killer. This isn't me.

Arthur: What do I do, Merlin? If I fight my father tomorrow, the way I can, I'll show him up, I'll humiliate him in front of his people. Or worse, I could wound him, even kill him!
Merlin: He's not going to back down. He's determined to prove himself. You have to let him win.
Arthur: (Sighs) You don't have to put up with the gloating! Do you have any idea what it's like to live with a man who constantly thinks he's the best?
Merlin: Must be irritating.

Uther: (To Arthur) When I was your age, I conquered Camelot. I didn't inherit this Kingdom, I won it. One day you'll be strong enough to take my crown, but not yet.

(After Arthur lets Uther win their fight in the tourney)
Merlin: Well done. That can't have been easy.
Arthur: If he wasn't my father...

(Gilli and Uther are to face each other in the tourney's final battle)
Gaius: We'll have to warn the king.
Merlin: No.
Gaius: Why are you protecting him?
Merlin: You know what Uther will do.
Gaius: Gilli is using magic for his own gain. It's corrupting him, poisoning him.
Merlin: Just let me talk to him.
Gaius: I fear it's too late.
Merlin: Gaius, please. You taught me what magic was for, you gave me the opportunity to be the person that I am today. I've had you to help me. Give me one more chance to talk to him.
Gaius: We'll have to put an end to this. If he fights tomorrow, either his magic will be found out or, worse, the king will die.

Merlin: I thought you weren't going to fight.
Gilli: You've seen the way people are now. They're showing me respect. You don't know what that's like for me.
Merlin: I do.
Gilli: No. No. No one does.
(Merlin casts a spell into his hand and then clasps his fist. When he opens it, a flame is dancing on his palm)
Merlin: It's... lonely... to... be more powerful than any man you know and have to live like a shadow. To... be special and have to pretend you're a fool. I know how it feels. I understand.

Gilli: If Uther is killed, so what? How many of our kind have died at his hands? How many more will? It's time those with magic fought back.
Merlin: Gilli...
Gilli: You can't tell me what to do!
Merlin: You need to learn to use your magic for good. That is its true purpose. It's not meant for your own vanity.
Gilli: I'm not going to apologise for who I am! You can be a servant and pretend you're less than them.
Merlin: That's not what I do!
Gilli: No? You're defending the King! Protecting a man that would have you dead.
Merlin: I'm protecting you.
Gilli: You've been pretending for so long now that you've actually forgotten who you are.
Merlin: That's not true.

Gilli: (To Merlin) It's time someone struck a blow for the likes of you and me. And if you're too weak, then I will.

The Great Dragon: I was beginning to hope you'd forgotten me.
Merlin: I don't think so.
The Great Dragon: The problem is, young warlock, that you wish to talk but you don't wish to listen. The last time we met, you chose to ignore my advice and overrule me.
Merlin: I'm sorry.
The Great Dragon: A Dragonlord should never abuse their power.

Merlin: You are a creature of magic and only a creature of magic could hope to understand. Uther is to fight a young sorcerer in the tournament tomorrow. Gaius wants me to prevent him from using magic. But if I do that, there is every chance he will die.
The Great Dragon: Your choice is a hard one, young warlock. Yet you, like I, must hold hope that Arthur will bring about a new age, an age where the likes of you and I are respected once again. If he sees his father killed through the use of magic, it will harden his mind forever.
Merlin: No. There must be some... other way.
The Great Dragon: To see one of your kin die is never an easy thing. But all great struggles demand sacrifice. I am sorry, young warlock. I wish I had some words to help you.
Merlin: Some choices are easy. Some... stay with you forever.

Merlin: I'm sorry. I didn't have a choice.
Gilli: You did what you had to do, and you betrayed your kind.
Merlin: No, that was you. You betrayed us. You'd won but you were going to kill the King anyway? There's no honour in that. Come on, look inside yourself. You're better than this. Magic is not meant for fighting, it's not meant to bring you glory.
Gilli: I never understood my father. I thought that he was afraid of magic, but he wasn't. He was afraid of what it can do, how it can corrupt. I know now that he was strong. Well, he was stronger than me.

Merlin: I know it doesn't seem like it now but one day magic will be permitted once again. And when that day arrives, you will no longer have to hide who you are. Your gifts will be recognised and we will be free. Who knows, maybe then our paths will cross again.
Gilli: I hope so.
Merlin: Oh, they will. We're kin.
Gilli: Kin.
(They shake hands)

Morgana: You're champion once again. Maybe you can give Arthur some lessons.
Uther: It is I who learnt a great deal from our fight.
Morgana: I can't see what.
Uther: He's a far better warrior than you think. It is Arthur who should have claimed the prize.
Morgana: But sadly, he wasn't good enough.
Uther: Because he threw the fight that I might save face.
Arthur: You knew?
Uther: I have followed your progress with a sword since you were a boy. I know your abilities better than anyone. I am eternally grateful. I hope that when you are King and have sons of your own, that they will afford you the same honour. Indeed, the most satisfying outcome of the tournament is that Arthur's actions have shown me that he is now truly ready to be king.