Season Two comes to a close with Camelot under siege by the Great Dragon, Uther hiding in the castle afraid of what would happen should he venture outside, and Merlin discovering more about his lineage.

Episode 13 – The Last Dragonlord

Gwen & Gaius hoping for Merlin & Arthur

Camelot is under attack from the moment Merlin set the Dragon free. The knights are doing their best to defend the city, but they have not done any damage to the beast. Several people are dead or missing, walls are crumbling, and Uther is resigned to watch his kingdom fall from the safety of his throne room. They do not know how the Dragon escaped, and oddly, no one is asking why there was a dragon under the city in the first place.

Hoping to change the tide of this battle, Gaius brings a rumour to the attention of the king. There may in fact be one last Dragonlord from the days of the Old Religion who could aid them in defeating the beast. Seizing the opportunity to save his people, Arthur tells his father he will go into enemy territory to find this Balinor. While Uther might be fine with letting the kingdom fall, Arthur’s concern is for the people. He will head out  in the morning no matter what his father says.

Back in Gaius’ chambers, the old physician asks Merlin if the name Balinor means anything to him. When he replies that it does not, Gaius tells him the story of the Last Dragonlord, how he helped smuggle him to safety when Uther demanded his death and of the woman whom he lived with for a short time. Turns out, Balinor is his father. Merlin, upset that Gaius and his mother never told him the truth, is angry this has been kept from him. In the morning before Merlin and Arthur set out, Gaius is forgiven and Merlin is reminded to make sure that Arthur does not find out about the warlock’s relationship to Balinor. The son of a Dragonlord as the prince’s servant would raise suspicion in the king’s eyes.

After a small detour and night time visit from a thief at a countryside pub, Arthur and Merlin travel deeper within enemy territory in search of Balinor. Arthur soon passes out, pain from an injury sustained while fending off the Dragon. With his master slung over his horse, Merlin soon happens upon the cave where Balinor lives. Balinor treats Arthur’s wounds, and Merlin tries to learn more about his father without revealing their relationship to each other. Merlin discovers that his father is a bitter man, with immense hatred for Uther. Arthur stirs from his sleep just as Merlin considers telling Balinor that he is the man’s son.

A father

The next morning Arthur tries to convince Balinor to assist him, to which he continues refusal. Just as they are leaving, Merlin mentions Gaius and how the physician spoke highly of the Dragonlord. Merlin and Arthur stop to make camp for the night when Balinor approaches. It seems that Merlin’s parting words made an impact on his father, giving him hope that he might get to know him better. While gathering firewood, Merlin gathers up the courage to tell Balinor the truth. Insert father and son moment here.

Arthur wakes Merlin. Their camp is about to be attacked by enemy soldiers. Balinor, Arthur and Merlin fight back, with Balinor taking a fatal hit in order to protect his son. Balinor uses his dying moments to say farewell to the son he just met and to pass along the gift of the Dragonlords to Merlin.

Determined to take care of the Dragon himself, Arthur brings word back to his father that Balinor is dead and that he plans on facing the Dragon, even if it means his death. Arthur asks his knights to join him, which his main captains willingly do. They will head out that evening to an open field and face the Dragon on their terms. Merlin and Arthur share some last moments, and Merlin informs Arthur that he will accompany him to the battlefield.

Taming the Dragon

Early in the battle the Dragon kills all of the knights who stepped forward, leaving only Arthur and Merlin to protect Camelot. Arthur attempts to spear the Dragon in its heart but is knocked backward, laying on the ground unconscious. At this point, Merlin hears his father speaking to him and calls forth his power as a Dragonlord. Speaking in the language of the Dragons, he speaks to the last of its kind, forcing it into submission. He makes a deal with the Dragon, leave Camelot now and never return. If he does come back, Merlin will not hesitate to kill him. He does so, and when Arthur awakens, Merlin tells him that the prince dealt a mortal blow and that the Dragon is dead. They return to Camelot where they are welcomed by Gwen and Gaius.

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