As Morgana and Gwen leave Camelot on a pilgrimage to Morgana’s father’s grave, they are ambushed in the forest by outlaws. Morgana and Gwen try to flee but are ultimately kidnapped.

While Morgana and Gwen put an escape plan into action at the outlaws’ camp, Uther orders Arthur to find Morgana after failing to hear back from the travelling party. In the forest, Morgana and Gwen attack one of the outlaws and flee. They are chased through the forest until Gwen is injured and urges Morgana to run on and find help. Morgana, scared, runs on as Gwen attempts to defend herself.

Arthur and his men come by the scene of the original ambush and check for any survivors. Merlin finds a ransom note left, and Arthur, following a trail, leads his men through the forest. Armed with his crossbow, Arthur almost shoots upon hearing a noise, thinking that it is one of the kidnappers, but is instead met by Morgana. He asks where Gwen is, to which Morgana can only respond by shaking her head tearfully.

At the outlaws’ camp, Gwen is ordered to wear Morgana’s robes and impersonate Morgana as the outlaw Hengist (who perpetrated Morgana’s abduction) has never seen the king’s ward before. Morgana, meanwhile, is returned to Camelot. Immediately she begs Uther to send out knights to rescue Gwen, but he refuses after realising that Hengist is behind the abduction. Morgana begs Arthur – who tries to hide his reaction to the possibility that Gwen has died – to do something to save her, but he claims that his father is right.

Gwen is taken to a savage village where she is met by Hengist, who imprisons her in the dungeons. Back in Camelot Morgana chastises Arthur until she realises that Arthur is packing and intends to rescue Gwen. With Merlin by his side Arthur sets out.

That night, as Gwen is forced to eat with Hengist and his people, she is subjected to watch a bout of cage fighting, and discovers that one of the competitors is none other than Lancelot. Lancelot wins the fight but does not kill his opponent after seeing Gwen. Lancelot’s opponent is then killed by a ferocious creature on Hengist’s orders.

Back in the dungeon, Gwen communicates with Lancelot through a grate in the wall. Gwen reiterates to Lancelot the story of how she got there and how she fears she will meet the same fate as the fighter in the cage, but Lancelot reassures her he will not let that happen. Lancelot reveals that he has been earning a living by fighting for entertainment after accepting that he would never achieve his dream of leading a noble life. They share a tender moment as Lancelot reveals he has thought of Gwen often.

In the forest, Arthur reveals that he couldn’t sleep, and Merlin begins to suspect that there is more to Arthur and Gwen’s relationship than meets the eye, but when Merlin approaches the subject Arthur quickly diverts the conversation. Hengist, meanwhile, becomes suspicious after he has not heard back from Uther with a response to the ransom, and threatens Gwen with her death if he does not hear from Uther by dawn. As this happens Arthur determines that they must pass through the tunnels of Andor, which are infested with Wildren, giant human eating rats.

Lancelot secretly visits Gwen and tells her he will not let her die and Gwen admits her feelings for him, giving him a reason to live. He states that he will return by nightfall.

After a close call with the Wildren and emerging from the tunnel, apologises for risking Merlin’s life. Merlin challenges Arthur to admit his obvious feelings for Gwen, to which a frustrated Arthur states, “How can I admit that…I think about her all the time? Or that…I care about her more than anyone? How can I admit that…I don’t know what I’ll do if any harm comes to her?” then going on to explain that to do so, knowing that he cannot be with her, hurts him too much. When asked why nothing can happen, Arthur simply states that his father wouldn’t even consider sending a rescue party out for a servant, much less allow Arthur to marry one. Saddened, Arthur laments to Merlin that what he and Gwen have can never be more than “talk,” to which Merlin says with conviction that Arthur can change this when he is king. Arthur dejectedly states that he can’t expect Gwen to wait for him, but Merlin says she will if she returns his feelings. Merlin reassures Arthur that Gwen is still alive and the two set off after Arthur makes Merlin promise not say anything about his feelings for Gwen.

Meanwhile, Hengist grows evermore suspicious of the lack of contact between Uther and the kidnapped “Morgana,” and soon learns that she is nothing more than a serving girl. Lancelot, having successfully sedated Hengist’s men, rescues Gwen and they escape the dungeons. Hengist arrives to find Gwen’s cell empty and pursues Gwen and Lancelot. Gwen refuses to leave Lancelot as he prepares to fight for her. They share a kiss and Gwen promises that her feelings for Lancelot will not fade as she runs through the tunnels. Lancelot faces Hengist’s men and he is returned to the fighters’ cage. Lancelot claims that he does not care what happens to him for her knows Gwen is safe, only for the cage door to open and Gwen thrown in with him.

Arthur and Merlin finally find the castle. As they make their way inside, Merlin distracts Hengist’s men and Arthur knocks them out. They disguise themselves as Hengist’s men and continue looking for Gwen. In the cage, Gwen and Lancelot are sentenced to death. The Wildren is released into the cage just as Arthur and Merlin enter the room. Arthur jumps into the cage and, after freeing Gwen and Lancelot, he and Lancelot fight the Wildren together. As they fight Arthur learns Lancelot is there to save Gwen as well. The four eventually escape after Merlin uses his magic to lock Hengist in with the Wildren (thus killing the outlaw).

As they escape the tunnel, Gwen learns that Arthur has come without his knights. Before she can properly react Lancelot offers her his hand to help her up, and the two share a meaningful glance. The exchange does not go unnoticed by Arthur, who is visibly upset. Gwen notices Arthur’s reaction and quickly lets go of Lancelot’s hand and continues on their journey out of the tunnel. Lancelot thanks Arthur for saving them as the rest leave. In the forest, Arthur and Gwen share tense glances while Lancelot points out the bravery of Arthur and Merlin. Arthur, still bitter over what he had seen in the tunnels, claims that he only defied his father because Morgana begged him. His claim hurts Gwen, and she announces that she is going to get rest. Arthur, looking even more upset, follows suit and suggests everyone does the same. Lancelot offers to stand guard and Merlin joins him.

Lancelot asks Merlin about Arthur’s true agenda for rescuing Gwen and comes to the conclusion that he has feelings for her. Merlin asks Lancelot if he feels the same, to which he responds that he does but that he will not come between Arthur and Gwen. He asks Merlin to tell Gwen that she has changed him forever and that some things cannot be and then leaves. After Gwen wakes Merlin reluctantly tells her that Lancelot has gone and passes on his message. Arthur notices how affected Gwen is by the news but does not say anything, merely stating they should continue home, leaving her in tears. The trio return to Camelot where Morgana waits for them. Morgana and Gwen happily embrace at their reunion, but Gwen sobers as Arthur shoots her a rather heartbroken glance before leaving.

“Lancelot and Guinevere” is the fourth episode of the second series of the British fantasy drama television series Merlin, which was broadcast on BBC One on October 10, 2009 and PsFy in the USA April 23, 2010.

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