Years later, the undefeated knight Lancelot blocks a bridge and will not move until he is defeated in single combat, seeking a king worthy of his sword. Soon after, Arthur meets Leondegrance's daughter Guenevere and is smitten, but Merlin forsees this leading to future problems. Uryens is tempted to strike the boy down, but, deeply moved by Arthur's display of faith, Uryens knights the boy, then falls to his knees and declares loyalty, leading the others to follow suit. During the battle, Arthur asks Sir Uryens to knight him, and hands him Excalibur to do so. When he wakes, Arthur comes to aid Leondegrance, whose castle is under siege by Arthur's enemies. Overwhelmed, Arthur falls into a long sleep. While the others argue, Merlin and Arthur enter the forest, and Merlin tells the boy that he is the rightful king, and that he and the land are one. Leondegrance immediately proclaims his support for the new king, but not all are willing to accept. Word spreads, and Merlin announces to the crowd that Arthur is Uther's son and hence the rightful ruler. Kay's sword is later stolen, and Arthur pulls Excalibur after failing to stop the thief.
The victor, Sir Leondegrance, wins a chance to try pulling Excalibur from the stone, but he fails. Years later, Sir Ector and his sons Kay and Arthur attend a jousting tournament. Uther thrusts Excalibur into a stone, and Merlin proclaims that "he who draws the sword from the stone, he shall be king." Uther pursues but is mortally wounded by Gorlois's knights. Nine months later, Merlin takes Uther's son Arthur. Only the devastated Morgana knows the truth and hates Merlin and Arthur ever since. Igrayne is fooled by the disguise, and Uther impregnates her. Cornwall's daughter Morgana senses her father's death in an assault on Uther's camp. Merlin transforms Uther into Cornwall's likeness with the Charm of Making. Merlin agrees to help Uther seduce Igrayne on the condition that Uther gives Merlin whatever results from his lust. With it, Uther secures a brief alliance with Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall, but Uther's lust for Cornwall's wife Igrayne soon ruins the truce. The sorcerer Merlin retrieves Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake for Uther Pendragon.