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| - In a small village, Guinevere is tending to a garden and stops for a breather, unconsciously playing with the engagement ring hung around her neck. She's startled by the sound of hoofbeats and screaming, and hides behind a wall at the sight of men on horseback galloping into the village. She bolts around the side of the house and skids to a halt at the sight of a man with a sword, only to fall onto the ground. The man raises his sword and is about to finish her off when another man stops him and stands over Gwen. Back in Camelot Arthur has a surprising announcement to make to the court and his knights. He tells everyone that disputes over the lands of Gedref are finally resolved, and that peace between the two kingdoms will be cemented with a union of marriage between himself and Princess Mithian. The court begins to applause, though Merlin doesn't look at all pleased. At Gaius's urging, Merlin reluctantly claps with a fake smile on his face. In the corridor, Merlin is annoyed that Arthur didn't tell him about any of this. Down in the vaults a young page is putting away some official looking documents. He's just leaving when Lord Agravaine asks him for something, and throws out a few subtle threats when the boy seems reluctant to hand it over. He says that he cannot betray his master, and Agravaine commends him on his loyalty just before he stabs him in the stomach and drags his body away. Agravaine rides out to Morgana to tell her that he hasn't been able to acquire the plans to the siege tunnels that she's asked for. She suggests that he take the risk himself, and get the plans personally. In Helios's encampment Gwen sits nervously as she's dressed in what looks like a harem girl's outfit. Helios enters the room and introduces himself, asking her to dine with him. He's not too threatening, and Gwen decides to play it nice. Back in Camelot the court is arrayed on the front steps of the castle to welcome Princess Mithian to the kingdom. She is brought forward on her horse and removes her veil to reveal a lovely young woman. Arthur seems impressed, and after a bout of mild flirting, Arthur introduces her to the court. Meanwhile, Guinevere is ushered into a dining room and seems surprised to find that it's quite welcoming, with candles and cushions and a fine meal. Helios asks to hear her life story, telling her that they have all night. Under the cover of darkness, Agravaine drags the young page's body to the bottom of the castle parapets and shoves a note into his shirt. Guinevere finishes up her completely fabricated story to Helios: that her family was killed and that she travelled many months to find a safe place to live, ending up on a farm where she would help with the pigs. Helios seems sympathetic, and they are interrupted by a guard who informs them that Lady Morgana has arrived and requests an audience. Helios orders her to be brought in, but notices that Gwen is startled. She makes a quick excuse and manages to slip away, veiling herself as she passes Morgana in the hall. Morgana notes that Helios has had company, but tells him that she does not yet have the plans. When Helios protests, she reminds him that he's still preparing his army. He offers her a drink. The following morning Sir Leon has brought Agravaine to see the body of the young page, speculating that he fell from a high parapet. Agravaine suggests that they get Gaius to examine the body. Over breakfast with Gaius, Merlin is sulking. He believes it's Arthur's fate to marry Guinevere, but doesn't know what to do about it, or even if he should. Just then Leon knocks on the door, asking for Gaius's presence. Gaius looks over the page's body, noting that his neck is broken but that there are no other injuries to suggest that he fell from a great height. He finds the letter and Agravaine grabs it to rush it to the King. Arthur reads it over, realizing that it's a letter to King Odin that offers to sell him Camelot's secrets. Arthur and Agravaine go down to check the vaults to make sure nothing was taken, and Arthur gives orders to ensure the vault's safety. Once he's alone, Agravaine smiles at the fact that he now has full access to the plans and maps of the castle. The next scene shows him delivering the right map into Morgana's hands. She performs a spell to transfer it onto another document. That night at the feast Merlin is looking disgruntled at the fact that Arthur and Mithian are getting on well. He performs a quick spell to spill soup onto Arthur's front, Mithian simply wipes it off. Agravaine joins them to say that the situation with the vaults is cleared up. Later that night Arthur escorts Mithian to her chambers and invites her on a picnic for the following day. Morgana returns to Helios's hideaway with the plans to the siege tunnels. Unbeknownst to both of them, Guinevere is listening in on their conversation and learns not only that Agravaine supplied the plans but that Helios's forces will soon be ready. Stones slide out from under Guinevere's feet and Morgana realizes that they're being spied upon. Helios demands that the camp be sealed and soon armed guards are running everywhere. They make it into Guinevere's chambers, and Morgana recognises her old maid's dress. Soon she has a name and demands that Gwen be instantly found. Guinevere rushes through the forest with Helios's men in hot pursuit, but manages to elude them by jumping into the river and hiding under the water until they've passed. Meanwhile, Arthur, Mithian and Merlin are on their picnic. After finding a suitable spot, Merlin decides to humiliate Arthur (and put off Mithian) by forcing Arthur to belch loudly in front of her...twice. Unfortunately, Mithian finds it rather charming and responds with a loud burp of her own. Merlin rolls his eyes. As it grows dark Helios wants to call off the search, but Morgana insists that they keep searching, telling him that there's only one place she'll go: Camelot. Helios calls his men together with a loud whistle. Under the light of the moon Guinevere kisses her engagement ring and waits out the darkness by a small fire. By morning Merlin is complaining about Arthur, but Gaius is too distracted to offer him any sympathy. Preparations for the hunt are going on when Mithian approaches Merlin and tells him that she can tell he doesn't like her, but that she only wants a chance. Morgana is racing through the forest on her horse and spots the smoke from Gwen's campfire. The sound of horses wakes Gwen up and she begins to run, Morgana close behind her. Morgana spots a broken twig that Gwen has passed by, and manages to cut off her path. She turns and runs in the opposite direction, but Morgana uses her magic to throw her off her feet and knock her unconscious against a tree. As the hunt from Camelot approaches, Morgana stands over Gwen's body and tears the ring off from around her neck, dropping it on the forest floor. Hearing the hunt, she smiles and utters a spell that causes Gwen's body to glow. Merlin is complaining about the lack of game in the forest, when Sir Leon shouts out that he's spotted a deer. From his vantage point away from the group, Merlin makes eye-contact with the little deer and realizes that there's something wrong. In its eyes he can see Guinevere, and when it leaps over a puddle he can see her reflection in the water. The hunt rushes past him and Arthur takes aim with his crossbow. Merlin causes the bolt to go astray, but he's unable to stop Mithian from taking a shot. As the hunt searches for tracks, Arthur leans down and discovers Guinevere's ring. Ignoring Mithian, he looks up at Merlin in shock. Both realize that Gwen must be near, and though Mithian sees their exchange, she doesn't understand what it means. Arthur gets up, announcing that there'll be no more sport today. By night Merlin returns to the forest on horseback, crying out Gwen's name. He finds her eventually, shivering on the ground with an arrow in her leg. He removes the bolt and performs a spell, healing her leg and calming her at the same time. She wakes up the following morning and the two friends hug each other in relief. She tells him that Morgana enchanted her and that she and Helios are planning to attack Camelot with Agravaine's help. She tells him that he stole a map from the vaults, but although Merlin urges her to return to Camelot with him, she refuses, still believing that she betrayed him. Reluctantly, Merlin leaves her. In his chambers, Arthur is sadly holding Gwen's engagement ring when Merlin bursts in, telling him the news. Arthur is irritated at the news that Agravaine would ever betray him, and checks the vaults for the maps to the siege tunnels - they're exactly where they should be. Agravaine smirks to himself. However, it's not long before Merlin returns to Arthur's room. Arthur confesses that he has absolutely no idea what to do, and asks Merlin to tell him what he should do. Merlin notices the ring in his hands and leaves. By morning, Arthur is sending Princess Mithian away, offering her all the disputed lands for Gedref, and gives her a treaty that he's had prepared. That night Arthur asks Merlin if he's done the right thing, and Merlin assures him that he did, and that Gwen will be found.
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