Long before Arthur became king, long before the Round Table, there was a wizard. The greatest wizard who ever lived. His name was Merlin, and without him, the story of Camelot would never have happened!

But who was Merlin? Where did his incredible powers come from? And what was his final fate?

This is his story...

Merlin's birth was surrounded by mystery. His mother was a pure and holy princess. But his father... ah, his father was a spirit of shadows, a being from another world!

When Merlin was born, the wise men of the kingdom were worried. "A child with this blood will have terrible powers!" they said. "He could do great evil!"

But Merlin's mother took him to the church and baptized him. And a miracle happened! Baby Merlin received not evil, but good! His powers would be immense, yes - but he would use them to help, not to destroy!

Even as a baby, Merlin was special. He could see the future! He could see the past! He understood the language of animals and plants! And, most impressive of all, he could do magic that no one else could!

When Merlin was only seven years old, something happened that proved his extraordinary powers!

The king of those lands, Vortigern, was trying to build a tower. But every time they built it, the tower would collapse during the night! The king's wizards said: "Your Majesty, for the tower to stand, you must sacrifice a child without a father and spill his blood on the foundations!"

They searched throughout the kingdom and found Merlin - who had no human father! The soldiers brought him to the king.

But Merlin, even though he was just a child, was not afraid! He laughed and said: "Your wizards are fools! The problem is not lack of blood! There are two dragons fighting beneath the earth! That's why the tower falls!"

"Impossible!" said the wizards.

"Then dig and see!" challenged Merlin.

The king ordered them to dig. And there, deep down, they found exactly what Merlin had said: an underground cave where two enormous dragons - one red and one white - fought eternally!

King Vortigern was so impressed that he spared Merlin's life and made him royal advisor! But Merlin had other visions...

"Your tower will never stand, Vortigern," said Merlin. "For your kingdom will fall! There are two brothers coming from lands across the sea - Uther and Pendragon. They will defeat you and rule these lands!"

And so it happened! Vortigern was defeated. Uther became king - Uther Pendragon! And Merlin became his closest advisor!

Years later, Uther fell in love with Igraine, the most beautiful woman in Britain. But she was married! Uther asked Merlin for help.

Merlin used his magic to transform Uther into the appearance of Igraine's husband for one night. And from that union, a boy was born...

Arthur!

But Merlin knew that dangers surrounded the baby. "Give me the child," said Merlin to Uther. "I will raise him in secret. When the right time comes, he will become the greatest king Britain has ever seen!"

Merlin gave Arthur to a good knight called Sir Ector, who raised him together with his own son, Kay. Arthur grew up not knowing he was a prince!

Meanwhile, Merlin prepared everything for the future. He drove a sword into a stone with powerful magic. Only the true king could pull it out!

When Arthur was fifteen years old, Uther died. The kingdom plunged into chaos! Nobles fought among themselves to see who would be king!

Merlin revealed the Sword in the Stone in front of London's great cathedral:

All the nobles tried. All failed! But then, Arthur - who was there only as Kay's squire - touched the sword and it came out easily!

Many nobles were furious! "A boy? A nobody? Impossible!"

But Merlin revealed himself and proclaimed: "This is not nobody! This is Arthur Pendragon, son of Uther, the rightful king!"

And so, Arthur became king - with Merlin by his side as advisor!

The years that followed were glorious! Merlin advised Arthur in everything. It was Merlin who suggested the Round Table! It was Merlin who helped Arthur win impossible battles! It was Merlin who guided the young king to become wise and just!

Merlin could transform his appearance - sometimes he appeared as an old sage, sometimes as a young knight! He could control the weather, making it snow or rain when necessary! He could speak with animals and plants! He could see events happening leagues away!

But Merlin's greatest power was his vision of the future. He knew what would happen before it happened!

And that included... his own downfall.

"Arthur," said Merlin one day, sadly, "soon I will leave you. My fate approaches."

"What?" Arthur was horrified. "No! I need you, Merlin! Use your magic to prevent this!"

"I cannot," sighed Merlin. "I know my fate. I will see every step that leads me to it. I will try to avoid it. And still, I will walk into it willingly. For the future cannot be changed, only understood."

And then, she appeared. Nimue.

She was young and beautiful, with hair black as night and eyes green as emeralds. She was also a student of magic - talented, but still an apprentice.

Nimue sought out Merlin. "Master," she said with a voice sweet as honey, "teach me your magic! I am your devoted student!"

Merlin knew he should refuse. He could see the future! He knew exactly what Nimue was planning! But... he also fell in love with her.

And love, Merlin discovered, was stronger than wisdom.

"Very well," he said. "I will teach you."

Day after day, Merlin taught Nimue his magical secrets. She learned quickly - too quickly! And with each spell she learned, her power grew!

Nimue pretended love for Merlin. "Oh, dear master," she would say, "how wise you are! How powerful! I love you so much!"

But in her heart, Nimue did not love Merlin. She only wanted his power!

One day, Merlin and Nimue were walking through an ancient forest. They came to a hidden cave - or according to some stories, a giant hollow tree!

"Master," said Nimue, "I have heard there is a spell that can imprison someone forever. Is it true? Can you teach me?"

Merlin hesitated. This was the moment! He could see everything! If he taught this spell to Nimue, she would use it against him! He would be trapped forever!

But he looked at her beautiful face, her pleading green eyes... and his heart melted.

"Yes," he said calmly. "I will teach you."

And he taught. Word by word. Gesture by gesture. The most powerful imprisonment spell that existed!

When he finished, Nimue smiled - not a smile of love, but of triumph!

"Thank you, master," she said. "Now... SLEEP!"

She cast the spell Merlin had just taught her! Waves of magic enveloped the old wizard! He fell to the ground, not dead, but sleeping - an enchanted sleep from which he would never wake!

Nimue used more magic to seal Merlin inside the cave (or inside the tree - the stories vary). Giant stones blocked the entrance! Magical roots wrapped around him! He was trapped, sleeping, dreaming of the future he would never see!

Nimue took Merlin's staff, his spell books, and departed. She became powerful - some say she became the Lady of the Lake! But she was never as wise as Merlin. Power without wisdom is dangerous!

Arthur searched for Merlin for years, but never found him. Camelot continued, but without Merlin's wisdom, things slowly began to fall apart...

They say Merlin is still there, in the enchanted cave, sleeping his magical sleep. Some claim he still dreams, that his dreams shape the world, that his magic still protects Britain from afar!

And they say that, in times of great need, when Britain needs him once more, Merlin will awaken!

But why? Why did Merlin, who could see the future, allow this?

Perhaps because, as he told Arthur, the future cannot be changed. Or perhaps because he chose love over wisdom, hope over certainty.

Or maybe... maybe Merlin knew that for Arthur to become truly great, he needed to be alone. He needed to make his own decisions, make his own mistakes, learn his own lessons.

A wise advisor can guide a king. But only by facing challenges alone does a king become legendary!

And Arthur became legendary. In part because of Merlin... and in part despite Merlin.

Sometimes, travelers passing through certain ancient forests say they hear a voice - ancient, wise, gentle - murmuring in the wind. Could it be Merlin, dreaming in his enchanted prison?

And when inexplicable and wonderful things happen, when impossible coincidences save the day, when wisdom comes from unexpected places... could it be Merlin's magic still operating in the world?

No one knows for sure. But one thing is true: the greatest wizard who ever lived left a mark on the world that will never be erased!

His wisdom lives in every good counsel given. His magic lives in every moment of wonder and awe. And his spirit lives in all who choose to use their gifts - whatever they may be - to help others, not to harm them!