Merlin Ambrosius
Merlin Ambrosius is the son of the late High King Ambrosius and the nephew of Uther, the High King. He takes custody of Uther’s son Arthur to keep him safe so that he will one day become the king who will unite all of Britain. Merlin is an enchanter and has the gift of Sight. He leaves Arthur in the protection of Ralf and travels the world to keep any enemies away from Arthur. When he deems it time, he takes a place in the community where Arthur is reared so that he may become a part of the boy’s life. He becomes his teacher. He teaches Arthur all that he will need to know to become an effective king. Merlin does not tell Arthur who he is until he takes Arthur to meet King Uther. Arthur is surprised that he is the Merlin from all of the stories. Merlin helps Arthur to prove his worthiness to be King. He promises to stay by the boy and offer advice during his reign.
Uther Pendragon
Uther Pendragon is the High King of Britain. He is father to Morgause, Arthur and Morgian. He agrees to let Merlin take Arthur and raise him in secret away from his enemies. When Uther becomes hurt during a battle and it does not heal properly, he begins to see Arthur as his future and wants to know more about him. Morgause takes care of her father and dispenses the potions that Merlin taught her to give him. Uther proclaims Arthur his heir after a decisive battle with the Saxons where Arthur proved himself a warrior. He dies in the middle of the debate on whether Arthur is fit to lead the Kingdom.
Ygraine
Ygraine is King Uther’s wife and Queen. She is the mother of Arthur and Morgian. Ygraine gives up her son to Merlin to keep him safe. Merlin sees her as rather cold toward her children. She does not want a distraction from her relationship to Uther.
Arthur (Emrys)
Arthur is known as Emrys for the first fourteen years of his life. Merlin gives him this name to keep him safe. As an infant, he is taken to Brittany and when he is three he is moved to Northern Britain to the court of Ector. He is raised there as Ector’s foster son. Arthur is a spirited boy and has a kingly manner. Merlin sees authority in him that is revealed when he takes command of the battlefield when Uther throws him his sword. He has an instinct for battle and for dealing with people. He takes Merlin’s lead and calms the nobles after Uther dies. He trusts Merlin so he places his hand into the fire to claim the sword of Macsen from the Chapel altar. He does not feel any animosity toward Lot and claims Cador heir to the throne until he has children of his own. He knows that having an heir is important and immediately claims his successor to all the nobles assembled during this important moment. It also keeps Lot from having any claim on the throne.
Ralf
Ralf was a servant of the Queen. Merlin chooses him to be Arthur’s protector to keep him safe from the King’s enemies. Merlin trusts that Ralf will give his life to protect the boy. Ralf wants to serve in the King’s army and feels that his new assignment is a slight against him. Merlin convinces him that his is the most important in the Kingdom. He will serve the High King who will unite all of Britain.
Cador, Duke of Cornwall
Cador is the Duke of Cornwall. He is the son of Gorlois. Merlin believes him to be a great enemy of Arthur because he was conceived the night Gorlois was killed. Cador admits to Merlin that he did hate him when he was younger, but he knows that Merlin, Uther or Arthur were not responsible for his father’s death. He was rash and got himself killed. Cador pledges his allegiance to Arthur and argues for his right to the throne. Arthur names him his heir until he has children of his own.
King Lot
King Lot is a petty king in the north of Britain. He is betrothed to King Uther’s daughter, Morgian. He is one of the King’s trusted advisors. He in actuality is plotting to take the throne of the High King. Lot has his men searching for Arthur to kill him so that when Lot marries Morgian, he will be King when Uther dies, which with his ailing health could be easily arranged. Lot plots with the Saxons and during the battle waits to see how the tides will turn before deciding which side to choose to join. He waits too late to join the King and Arthur is able to win the battle for the King with the King’s sword. Lot objects to Arthur’s being name the King’s successor. He claims that he is an unseasoned warrior. He suggests that Uther king the boy is sword now thus handing over the Kingdom to him while Uther is still alive. Uther agrees and when he presents the sword it is broken. This is dire for the kingdom and causes many to question Uther’s choose. The shock of this causes Uther’s death. Merlin suspects that Lot is behind the breaking of the sword. When Arthur claims the sword of Macsen from the Chapel, Lot is the first to drop to his knee in supplication to the new King.
Count Ector
Count Ector is the man Merlin chooses to raise Arthur. He and his wife raise Arthur as their foster-son. They treat him as if he was their own. Count Ector is proud to claim Arthur as a foster-son and presents him to King Uther before the battle with the Saxons. Ector proclaims that Arthur is the rightful heir during the victory feast when Uther presents Arthur as his successor. He is a persuasive man who speaks up for the boy and his birth rite.
Cei
Cei is the son of Count Ector. He is Arthur’s companion until he becomes old enough to be by his father’s side in battle. Cei is a warrior and not one for books. He will support his King with arms and readily follows Arthur.
Morgause
Morgause is the illegitimate daughter of Uther. She was conceived when Uther was in Brittany as he and his brother, Ambrosius, were planning their retaking of their rightful throne. She is welcome in her father’s court. She was offered in marriage to Lot, but he refused in preference for the legitimate heir, Morgian. Morgause is skillful with medicines and is chosen to dispense her father’s medicines and take care of his medical needs. Uther trusts her. Morgause seduces Arthur knowing that he is her brother. She has some magic and uses it to manipulate people to gain power. Merlin is disgusted by her actions and throws her out of the court. He sends her to be with Morgian as she waits for her wedding. Merlin knows that she is pregnant with Arthur’s son.
Morgian
Morgian is the legitimate daughter of King Uther and Ygraine. She is offered as a wife to King Lot. It is a way to keep him loyal to Uther. Morgian will be wed to Lot when she turns twelve. She is waiting for her Christmastime wedding in York.
Colgrim
Colgrim is the King of the Saxons. He comes to Britain to avenge his brother’s death. The Saxons are defeated by Uther’s troops with Arthur leading them to victory. Colgrim escapes the battle unharmed and able to retreat and plan for another day.
Urien
Urien is kin to King Lot. He does Lot’s bidding and attempts to find Arthur. His men offer money to anyone who can help them find Merlin when he travels north to unite with Ralf and Arthur. He wants Lot to obtain the throne of High King so that he will have a higher position in the Kingdom.
Ulfin
Ulfin is King’s Uther’s servant. He is the only one who truly mourns the King’s death. He becomes Arthur’s servant upon the death of King Uther.
Bedwyr
Bedwyr is Arthur’s best friend. His father sends him to Count Ector’s court so that he can learn from Britain’ best swordsman. The boys are inseparable so Merlin teaches Arthur and Bedwyr. Arthur trust Bedwyr and makes him a member of his court.
Stilicho
Stilicho is Merlin’s servant. He does not want to leave Merlin when he returns to Britain from his trip to Europe. Merlin frees him, but he refuses to go. He travels with Merlin and does not mind living in his cave for he lived in a cave growing up. The cold weather is hard for him because he is from a warmer climate. He thrives in Maridunum and marries a local girl. He takes care of Merlin’s cave when he leaves to see to Arthur’s teaching.
King Hoel
King Hoel is the King of Brittany. He is kin to King Uther and Merlin. Merlin wants to send Arthur to Brittany during his infant years to keep him safe. King Hoel is to pretend that Arthur is coming to stay with him and to give King Uther reports on the boy, while Arthur is reared in Brittany, but in a small village where Merlin’s childhood nurse lives.
Gandar
Gandar is the King’s physician. He takes care of King Uther and is trusted by Merlin. He suggests Morgause to personally care for the King so that no one will discover the King’s ailments. He trusts her skills in mixing medical potions.
