Merlin was ultimately responsible for the birth of Arthur. He employed his
powers to enable Uther Pendragon to sleep with Igraine (Arthur's mother) by
disguising him as her husband. Once Arthur was King, Merlin then became his
trusted advisor and Arthur often used him as a messenger because of his
ability to take on any shape.
There are various legends of Merlin's death. One legend says that the wizard
forgot about the seat that was reserved for whoever found the Holy Grail at
the Round Table and sat in it only to be swallowed instantly by the earth,
like many other sinful men who had done so before him. Another legend is of
the Lady of the Lake imprisoning him in an enchanted wood after Merlin had
explained all about the secrets of his own magic. Another version is that
Merlin allowed himself to be lured (once again by the lady of the lake) deep
beneath a stone and bound there by his own spells. And yet another version is
of Nimue who put Merlin into a trance beneath a thorn tree and then trailed
her veil around him, crating an invisible tower of air in which he was
trapped forever. It is said that his voice can still be heard in the rustling
of leaves.
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