Uther holds an annual tournament for the knights, in which Arthur is the defending champion. Sir Valiant has a magic secret weapon: a shield from which poisonous serpents can come to life and attack. Merlin finds out and tells Arthur, who accuses Valiant of cheating, but the only 'worthy' witness has died and a servant's word is useless against a knight. Humiliated, Arthur fires Merlin and prepares for his own match with Valiant, expecting to die but hoping to prove he was right. After encouragement from Kilgharrah, Merlin decides against giving up on Arthur and saves him, earning the Prince's trust again.
