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| Episode 202: The Once and Future Queen Recap
 The Once and Future Queen starts in the kingdom of Odin. The great hall is dark and the king is in mourning. He stares at the armor of his fallen son. The assassinMyroris announced. Kind Odin has summoned the assassin to for a very special job. He asksMyrorif he is above killing royalty.
“My Lord,youwould already bedeadif someone had placed a bounty on you.
Odin’s guard attacksMyrorfor this bold statement. ButMyrordefeats him effortlessly.
Myrorgives the killer gold and demands thatMyrorkill ArthurPendragon.
* * *
 In Camelot, Arthur is on the jousting field. He’s taken down his first opponent, but on his second, Arthur is blinded by sunlight. Instead of taking Arthur down, his opponent Sir Leon spares him. Arthur realizes that the knights treat him with a certain delicacy. No one would dare harm the future king.
Merlin does little to comfort Arthur. Arthur wants to be treated as he is, not as the Prince of Camelot.
“Any time you want toswapplaces, just let me know!” Merlin says, trying to haulArthur'sarmor from the floor.
“That’s not a totally stupid idea.” Arthur says… He’s got a plan… He’s going undercover.
* * *
 Arthur tellsUtherthat a beast has been spotted in the Northern forests
“It is said to have the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle and the face of a … bear...”
Merlinalmostknocks over a vase trying not to laugh at Arthur’s tale.
Utherorders Arthur to destroy the creature. Arthur gets another bonus point in by choosing to miss the tournament in order to protect Camelot.
* * *
 The next day Merlin and Arthur start their plan. The “hunting party” leaves for the North and Arthur disguises himself in Merlin’s clothes and they sneak back into Camelot.
“It seems pretending to besomeoneelse is the only way to get people to be honest with me. Grab my bag will you.” Arthur says.
”If you want to pass for a peasant you’d probably better carry your own bag.” Merlin counters.
”You’re forgettingsomething Merlin. No one will know it’s my bag.”
And thus, Merlin is defeated
* * *
 Backin court a rider has come with news of Odin’s plot to killArthur. He warns him thatMyrorhas accepted the bounty. Utherpays the man and orders the guards doubled. They must prevent the assassin from entering Camelot.
Myroris one step ahead, lying in wait on the path. He aims his crossbow ready to take down the Prince but sees that Arthurisn'tin the hunting party. He heads to Camelot to investigate. * * *
Arthur and Merlin arrive atGwen's. Gwen is hesitant but relents. Arthur is less than pleased with the surroundings, but agrees. Merlin has found a man to play the role of the Knight in the tournament.
“He’s a farmer from one of the outlying villages and no one will recognize him.” Merlin says confidently.
“But does he look the part.” Arthur asks.
Merlin suddenly looks less than confident.
They clean the man up in a hilarious montage and teach him how to act like a knight. By the end he does show somepotential. He’s now Sir William!
* * *
Merlin returns home exhausted after a hard day of pulling the plan off. Gaiusorders him to clean the leach tank and all poor Merlin cando is moan in response.
* * *
At Gwen’s, Arthur has taken over the house and treats her like a servant. He takes her bed as his own and Gwen is too polite and respectful to tell him other wise. She retreats to the back room and sleeps on the stone floor.
* * *
Myrorsneaks into Camelot. He kills a guard that stops him, and finds who he’s been looking for. His informant tells him thatArthurhas left Camelot. ButMyrorknowsotherwise. “It would seem the Prince does not want to be found.”
* * *
 The day of the tournament has arrived. Arthur will fight the matches and William will take the glory. William joins the other knights duringUther’s speech and barely stays on the horse. Gwen tries not to laugh at the farmer turned knight.
Arthur takes the first match and knocks his opponent off in one round. He wins the second just as easily.No onecan defeat the prince. At the end of the rounds. William tradesplaceswithArthurand goes before the crowd to receive his accolades.
”I do all theworkand someone else gets all the praise.” Arthur complains.
”I know the feeling.” Merlin mutters.
Arthur can’t wait till the end of the tourney when he will reveal himself as the true champion and receive the glory that is due to him. He then sends Merlin off to polish the armor, groom the horse and repair the lances.
* * *
In the standsMyrormeets with his informant. Everyone thinks that Arthur is in the North, but there is one strange thing. His servant, Merlin still remains in Camelot. Myrorknows something is up.
* * *
Merlinreturns home again and gets chastised byGaiusabout the leech tank. He’s ordered to do the laundry, scrub the floors AND clean theleech tank. Merlin employs a little magic in his attempt to get all the work done.
* * *
 Back at Gwen’s, Arthur and Gwen talk. Arthur confesses to Gwen that he feels people only respect him because of his title. If he wins the tournament it will be because he deserves it.
He asks to take a bath, but Gwendoesn’t have a bath tub. He tells her to prepare him a bowl of hot water, not taking into account that Gwen has to walk all the way down to the well to get water. Gwen leaves in a justified huff.
* * *
Merlin has passed out in the middle of his duties. Gaiuscome in and gives him a hard time.
 “Why do you think you can get away sitting around all day doing nothing…?” Gaiussays.
This launches Merlin into a fit. And one of the best rants on Merlin so far…)
”Do you think I sit around all day and do nothing? Ihaven'thad a chance to sit around and donothingsince the day I arrived inCamelot. I’m too busy running around after Arthur. Do THIS Merlin, Do THAT Merlin! And when I’m not running around afterArthurI’m doingchoresfor you! And ifI'mnot doing that I’m fulfilling my destiny. Do you know how many times I’vesavedArthur'slife? I’ve lost count. Do I get anythanks, no. I have fought griffins, witches, bandits. I have been punched,poisoned, pelted with fruit. And all the while I have to hide who I really am because if anyone finds out,Utherwill have meexecuted. Sometimes I feel as I’m being pulled in so many directions I don’t know which way to turn!”
And with that he leaves…
* * *
 It’s the second day of thetournament and Sir Alinor has advanced to the final. Arthur and Sir Leon fight a true battle at last and Arthur takes him. William takes the glory. The cheers for him are evenloudernow.
Arthur can’t wait for the moment he can reveal his true identity.
Myrorapproaches Merlin and gleams a bit of info from him. He’s pretty sure Arthur is still inCamelot.
* * *
 Back at Gwen’s Arthur finally realizes that he’s been sleeping in Gwen’s bed. Gwen lays into him about how rude andinconsideratehe’s been and he accepts it. She tells him he needs to learn some humility. Arthur apologizes. He offers to make Gwen dinner. He sends Gwen on her way and now faces the biggest challenge of his life. Uncookedchicken.
Merlin goes toinvestigateonce he findsoutthat Arthur is cooking andArthursends him off to get two dinners from the palace kitchen and some clean clothes.
“And get me a decent shirtMerlin; your clothes are making me itch all over. It’s like having fleas.”
At the palace,Myrorwaits inArthur'schamber. He follows Merlin back to Gwen’s.
Gwen and Arthur share a meal, whileMyrorpeers into the house. He readies a small cross bow and is about to shoot Arthur when the kings guardsapproach. They givechasetoMyrorbut he is too fast. He escapes capture by hiding under the drawbridge.
Gaiusapologizes to Merlin when he returns home. Merlin has prepared the chicken forGaius, but the dinner is cut short as they are summoned by the king. The guardMyrorkilled has been found, and now it is confirmed. Merlin feignsignoranceaboutArthur’swhereabouts, but the threat is real.
* * *
Back at Gwen’s, Gwen confesses that Arthur snores.Arthurclears the plates and Gwen realizes that Arthur’s dinner was a bit of a hoax.
“Listen I can kill a chicken from 1000 paces, just don’t ask me to cook it. That’s what servants are for…” (Oops!)
Gwen glares him down.
“I’m not ashamed to bea servant. At least I’m not a liar.”
 He stops her when she turns away (Cue romantic music!)
“I know I have much to learn. There are something’s that I amterribleat. Cooking being one of them. But also knowing what to say to someone I care about.” Arthur looks like he’s going to make his move. But….
Merlin busts in and ruins the mood with bad news.
”There'sanassassininCamelot; he’s here to kill you!”
Arthur reveals that he killed Odin’s son in combat. Odin’s sonchallengedArthur to a fightandwouldn’t withdraw. Arthur stillremembersthe incident and is remorseful.
He asks Gwen politely if he can stay, and offers to sleep on the floor. Gwen offers her bed, butArthur'sin gentleman mode and won’t hear of it. In secret he orders Merlin to fetch hismattressfrom his room by any means necessary.
“How am I supposed to carry a mattress on my own?” Merlin asks in shock.
“I don’t know strap it to your back!”
* * *
 The fateful day has come. The lastdayof the tournament. Gwen gives Arthur herhandkerchieffor him to wear for luck. (Cue romantic music again)
Arthurmoves in for the kiss! (Louder romanticmusic)
They’re both a bit surprised after the deed is done, and he leaves Gwen to contemplate what happened.
* *
Merlin prepares Arthur for the final battle andMyrormoves in to make his move. Myrorkills Arthur’s opponent, SirAlinorand takes his place. The lance hewieldsbears a secret spike at the end and as the battle is in full swing,Myrorpierces Arthur’s armor. Merlin witnesses the deceit, but has to return to help Arthur.
 Gwen helps Arthur to the safety of the tent. He’s losing blood, butdemandsto return to field so a not to forfeit the match. Gwen tries to talk him out of it, but he’s adamant.
“You have nothing to prove, least of all to me.” Gwen pleads.
“I have everything to prove, to myself.” Arthur answers.
Merlin spiesMyrorpreparing for the next round and runs to warn Arthur, but it’s too late and Arthur has left to joust. The final round is at hand. Arthur can barely stay conscious as Myror bears down. Merlin rushes through the crowd as the two riders meet and before Myror can strike Arthur once again, Merlin casts a spell that breaks Myror’s saddle strap, throwing him off balance as Arthur strikes him full on in the chest. Myror tumbles from the horse, and hits the ground, dead.
Inside the tent, Merlin reveals that Myror was his opponent. It’s time for Arthur to take the prize but he declines and orders William to accept the prize.
”I thought this would be your moment of glory.” Gwen says.
“Perhaps this is a time for humility.” Arthur answers.
William rides out to accept his praise. He stays on the horse more securely, this time.
* * *
 Merlin finds Gaius as he discovers Myror’s body. It seems he’s there to explain the truth.
In Camelot, Arthur weaves a tale of how he been attacked while on the hunt and had killed the assassin Myror. Uther demands war on Odin, but Arthur speaks reason.
“Surely you understand the grief he feels for the loss of his son. We must try to make peace with him. There has been enough bloodshed.”
He steals meaningful glances at Gwen. Gaius seems irritated at Merlin, for being dragged into the ruse.
* * *
 Outside the great hall, Arthur calls Gwen over.
“What happens when I was staying with you. I’m afraid my father would never understand.”
(What happens in the cottage, stays in the cottage…)
”You don’t have to explain. Perhaps when you are King, thing will be different.”
Arthur stares at Gwen, reluctant to leave, but is called away by Uther. Gwen watches him go, and then walks the other way alone.
* * *  Finally we are left with poor Merlin, at last cleaning out the leech tank. His punishment for lying to Gaius. Merlin pulls himself out of the tank and looks at Gaius.
“Merlin there’s something on your face.” Gaius tells him.
Merlin freaks out as he realizes he’s covered in leeches!
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