Merlin (BBC Series)

Merlin
[[File:Merlin.png|thumb|220x220px|Name: Merlin Gender: Male

Race: Human

Class: Warlock

Status: Alive

Aliases: Emrys, The Last Dragonlord, Young Warlock ]] Merlin is the title character and main protagonist from the BBC series. He is a warlock who faces many challenges as he journeys with the young adult prince Arthur Pendragon to keep the prince safe as he moves toward the crown.

Background
Merlin was born in Ealdor, a small village on the outlying region of King Cenred's kingdom, to his mother, Hunith. Hunith and Merlin's father, Balinor, fell in love but had to flee from Camelot with the assistance of Gaius, the court physician, when the king, Uther Pendragon, persecuted those with magic. Balinor and Hunith lived in Ealdor for a time until Uther discovered Balinor's location and sent knights after him, causing him to flee into the wilderness alone. He was not aware of Hunith's pregnancy when he left and she gave birth to Merlin and raised him alone. Merlin had no knowledge of his father until he and Arthur were sent to find the Last Dragonlord, who was named Balinor, to assist with the Great Dragon situation. Hunith sent Merlin to Gaius, the court physician in Camelot, when he turned eighteen in the hopes that Gaius could help Merlin learn how to control his magic.

Time in Camelot
Merlin makes his way into Camelot and finds the court physician's chambers and surprises Gaius, who falls from a high place, leading Merlin to use magic to slow time down and move a bed for Gaius to land on. Merlin stays with Gaius and has a couple of run-ins with Arthur, whom he does not recognize. Arthur appears to be intrigued by Merlin's lack of respect. A woman seeking revenge for Uther's killing of her son for practicing magic targets Arthur and Merlin steps in and saves him. Uther then makes Merlin Arthur's servant in gratitude, which sets up the rest of the series.

Merlin and Arthur go on many adventures, most of which result in Merlin saving Arthur from peril by secretly using his magic. Merlin talks to the Great Dragon and learns about his destiny to help Arthur become king and unite the land, allowing magic to come back. The dragon also provides advice to Merlin on individual events when asked.

His magic is kept a secret from everyone except Gaius because magic is outlawed in the kingdom on pain of death. This causes Merlin to sneak around quite often while trying to stop those who would harm Arthur or anyone else Merlin cares about.

Source
BBC's Merlin