Recap - 'Merlin': 'The Coming of Arthur (Part 2)'

A week into her reign, Morgana has Sir Leon brought before her and demands to know if the knights of Camelot will now serve her. When Sir Leon swears allegiance to the King and Arthur, he is returned to his prison cell. Meanwhile, Merlin attempts to evade a pack of immortal soldiers in the woods. He returns to a nearby cave, where Gaius, Elyan, Gwaine and a grim Arthur have taken refuge. Back in Camelot, the knights are brought before a firing squad. When they again pledge loyalty to the king, Morgana has her men open fire on innocent villagers.

Morgana visits the prison cells to speak with Uther. The king is distraught by his daughter's actions and begs her to kill him instead of innocent people. Morgana claims that she wants Uther to suffer before his death, as she and others with magic have suffered. At the cave, Merlin attempts to cajole Arthur into action, but the prince is still shattered by Morgana's betrayal. The new Queen herself is troubled by the defiance of the knights and shares her concern with Gwen. The serving girl explains that her mother was a maid in Sir Leon's household and volunteers to speak to the imprisoned knight, which Morgana enthusiastically agrees to.

At the hideout, Merlin explains to Gaius that he has not heard from Lancelot since he requested his old friend's help. Merlin is keen to take action soon and Gaius explains that the immortal army would be defeated if the magical cup of life was emptied of blood. Meanwhile, Gwen visits Sir Leon, revealing that she is going to help him escape. However, Morgana and Morgause observe the pair through a grill above the cell. Though Morgana is keen to punish Gwen, Morgause decides to let her escape, certain that she will lead them to Arthur. Later, Gwen lies to Morgana, claiming that Sir Leon will soon yield to her. The queen suggests a drink to celebration, but spikes Gwen's wine with a magical potion. Unaware, Gwen sneaks into Morgause's chamber and steals the key to Sir Leon's cell, forging a replica in her father's old workshop.

In his backpack, Merlin recovers the special water jar that the Fisher King promised would aid him in "Camelot's darkest hour". The boy wizard attempts to activate the jar's magic throughout the night, but without success. Disturbed in his sleep, Merlin accidentally smashes the jar and the water runs across the stony ground. However, the magical liquid forms a puddle that shows Merlin the image of his lost love, Freya. She explains to Merlin that only one weapon can defeat an immortal army - the sword forged in the dragon's breath that he previously cast into the Lake of Avalon.

Merlin meets with the dragon and asks it to help him cross hostile territory. After riding on the dragon's back to the lake of Avalon, Merlin is warned by the creature that the magical sword can do great evil in the wrong hands. Merlin promises that once the battle is done, he will place the sword "where none can wield it". Taking a boat to the centre of the lake, a tearful Merlin watches as Freya's arm emerges from the water, clutching the magical weapon. Meanwhile, Gwen slips the replica cell key through a street grill and down into Sir Leon's cell. The knight flees to Gwen's home, where he is forced to disguise himself as a woman in order to escape detection. As the pair flee Camelot, Morgause casts a spell, revealing that the potion Gwen consumed will leave a golden trail for her soldiers to follow. In the woods, Sir Leon changes to his usual attire, explaining to Gwen that Arthur is likely hiding within a nearby cave, which has a concealed entrance and fresh water.

Back at the cave, Arthur has been inspired by Merlin's words of encouragement. Hearing noises from outside, the prince, Merlin and Gwaine prepare for battle, but it is only Gwen and Sir Leon, who are happily reunited with their friends. However, Elyan arrives and announces that Morgause's troops are fast approaching. The group is forced to abandon the cave, but Merlin remains behind the retrieve the magical sword. As he leaves Merlin is confronted by an immortal soldier, but a single blow from the sword destroys the villain in a blast of light. The group continue to flee, when a sudden rock fall blocks the way of Morgause's troops. The group are relieved to see that Lancelot has arrived, accompanied by Percival - a strong man who brought down the rocks.

The gang make their way to an abandoned castle that once belonged to the ancient kings. Inside, Arthur discovers a round table, explaining that the kings believed in equality for all men and so used a table that granted each man equal importance. Announcing his intention to rescue his father, Arthur asks if any of the group is willing to join him. One by one, the group swear their allegiance to the prince. Later, Arthur knights Lancelot, Gwaine, Percival and Elyan, anointing them as true defenders of Camelot.

That night, Merlin unveils his plan to empty the cup of life to Lancelot. The new knight agrees to help Merlin complete his mission, without Arthur's knowledge. As the group plan their attack the following morning, Lancelot volunteers to take out the warning bell, taking Merlin with him as a castle guide. As Arthur and Gwen bid each other a fond farewell, Gaius reveals to Merlin that he overheard his previous conversation with Lancelot and instructs his ward to be careful. The group launch their attack, leaving Gwen and Gaius behind. However, when Gwen returns to the castle after fetching supplies, Gaius has vanished.

Reaching the citadel of Camelot, Merlin and Lancelot break away from the rest of the group. Using the magical sword and Lancelot's fighting skills, the pair are able to fight their way into the throne room, which contains the cup of life, while Arthur and the other knights fight a losing battle against the immortal soldiers. The prince rescues Uther from his prison cell, but the king is now a broken man. As the knights are backed into a corner by their immortal opponents, Merlin and Lancelot defeat six soldiers who guard the cup. Merlin runs towards the goblet, but Morgause arrives and uses magic to violently propel him across the room. The sorceress prepares to kill Merlin, but Gaius arrives just in time, using his own magical skills to attack her. With Morgause distracted, Merlin uses magic to throw her into a stone pillar.

Merlin swings his sword at the cup of life, knocking it to the floor and spilling the blood within. As the army of immortal soldiers evaporate, Morgana enters the throne room and is devastated to discover an apparently dead Morgause. Morgana screams out, her eyes glowing with magic, and the room begins to crumble around her. Merlin, Gaius and Lancelot flee, rejoining the rest of the group, and make good their escape.

Sometime later, Merlin and Arthur muse over recent events. The prince admits that Morgana's betrayal has hit Uther hard. When Merlin suggests that Arthur might need to take charge and become king, he replies, "Who knows what the future will bring?". Gwen rides back into town, accompanied by the Knights of the Round Table, and she and Arthur share a kiss.

Back in their chamber, Gaius explains to Merlin that the rubble was searched, but no trace has been found of either Morgana or Morgause. As Gaius congratulates his ward, Merlin remembers that he still has one final task to complete. Recalling the dragon's warning about the magical sword, Merlin finds an isolated rock in the middle of the woods. As the episode concludes, Merlin uses powerful magic to plunge the sword into the stone.

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