Warning: Major spoilers for The Winter King episode 7 below!
Summary
- Arthur's decision to break off his engagement with Ceinwyn and run away with Guinevere will have major consequences for Britain.
- Derfel is targeted and attacked by Gundleus, but is able to outsmart and fight him off with Arthur's help.
- Ceinwyn realizes Arthur's love for Guinevere when she witnesses their chemistry while dancing.
The Winter King episode 7 sees Arthur caught between duty and his heart, while Derfel is given a painful reminder of the past. MGM+'s adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles continues to slowly unveil key characters from King Arthur lore. Winter King episode 6 introduced Jordan Alexandra's Guinevere, Arthur's (Iain De Caestecker) future queen. At this point in the first season, Arthur is desperately trying to secure peace between warring kingdoms Dumnonia and Powys, and feels marrying King Gorfydd's (Aneirin Hughes) daughter Ceinwyn (Emily John) is the best way to do so.
However, he's soon smitten with Ceinwyn's best friend Guinevere instead, which puts the planned wedding in doubt. Derfel's (Stuart Campbell) desire to become one of Arthur's warriors also came true in episode 6, though being so close to Gorfydd's nephew Gundleus (Simon Merrells) - who was responsible for killing Derfel's mother and assaulting druidess Nimue (Ellie James) - becomes a test of his patience in the latest outing. By the end of episode 7, Arthur has made a decision that could have major consequences for Britain itself.
6 Gundleus Tries To Kill Derfel
Episode 7 is a tough one for Derfel, as he realizes Gundleus has gifted his lover Ladwys (Tatjana Nardone) with a knife that once belonged to Derfel's mother. Eight years prior, Gundleus led a massacre on a Saxon village, with Derfel being the only survivor after Arthur pulled him out of a death pit. Despite his anger, Derfel is oddly polite about the whole affair, simply asking Ladwys to give him back the knife; upon learning of his history, she hands it over.
She later informs Gundleus of his history with Derfel, and being the coward that he is, he later sneaks up behind the younger warrior and tries to strangle him to death. Derfel is able to outsmart and fight him off, however, with Arthur also coming to his aid. Gundleus was also warned off attacking Derfel by Ladwys, who told him that the Gods would be most unhappy if he tried to kill him again. After witnessing an omen following his attempt on Derfel's life, he backs off and slimes away.
5 Ceinwyn Realizes Arthur Is In Love With Guinevere
In Winter King episode 6, Ceinwyn wasn't particularly happy when informed about her arranged marriage to Arthur. However, she quickly warmed to Arthur after they meet, because of his virtuous nature and the fact he's not so bad-looking. She's completely oblivious to the chemistry between him and Guinevere, however, but that changes when she sees them dance together. After witnessing the two dance and how they can't take their eyes off each other, Ceinwyn leaves the hall in tears and is soon followed by Guinevere.
Despite being upset, Ceinwyn proposes a deal with Guinevere: she can be Arthur's mistress after the wedding and can be with him on alternating days. Guinevere is remorseful for hurting her adoptive sister and steadfastly refuses to become anybody's mistress. Since Gorfydd has insisted Guinevere leave Powys with Arthur and Ceinwyn after the wedding - and has even suggested she marry one of Arthur's men - a love triangle seems all but inevitable.
4 Arthur Breaks The Engagement
In an emotional sequence, Arthur confides to Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder) that he believes they should postpone the wedding. He admits he doesn't love Ceinwyn, and believes anyone - be they a beggar or king - should have the right to marry the person they love. While Bedwin understands what Arthur is saying, he takes a more sober view of the situation. The marriage isn't about love; it's about allying with kingdoms so they can work to drive Winter King's invading Saxons from Britain.
Despite Bedwin begging Arthur to reconsider, his feelings for Guinevere win out. He breaks his engagement to Ceinwyn, who then advises him to flee the kingdom with Guinevere before her father finds out. Under cover of darkness, the lovers sneak out of the castle and ride back to Dumnonia.
3 Gorfydd Wants Revenge On Arthur & Guinevere
Throughout Winter King episode 7, Gundleus has been jealous and bitter about his uncle favoring Arthur. He claims to have led the massacre on Avalon under Gorfydd's orders, and that he was the one who was supposed to marry Ceinwyn. Having been essentially tossed aside, the latest episode closes with Gorfydd approaching him with news of Arthur and Guinevere having run off.
While the last few episodes have revealed a more emotional, rational side to Gorfydd, he's also been noted as vengeful when betrayed. As Bishop Bedwin warned Arthur, no parent likes to see their child "humiliated," so Arthur's breaking off his engagement to Ceinwyn and fleeing with her best friend is sure to result in retaliation from the leader of Powys. On that front, it seems Gundleus and Ladwys will be the instruments of whatever revenge plot Gorfydd cooks up.
2 Bishop Bedwin Leaves Dumnonia
While Bedwin has been a supporter of Arthur since he returned from his banishment, he is thoroughly disgusted with his decision to run away with Guinevere. Once they are free of Powys, Bedwin informs Arthur he won't be returning to Dumnonia with them, and will instead head to a nearby monastery in the hope of salvaging some peace with Powys. Bedwin also hopes that God will forgive Arthur and Guinevere for "what they've done," before riding off.
1 Arthur And Guinevere Get Married
Arthur may have been in torment over whether to marry Ceinwyn, but on the topic of Guinevere, he's remarkably clearheaded. After the Bishop leaves, Guinevere suggests she leaves too, and that there's still time to clear up the mess. Arthur then proposes to her, stating Gorfydd would never forgive her but if she's married to Arthur, she will have his protection and Dumnonia will also have to accept her. On the more romantic side of things, he says he won't lose her after just "finding" her.
After some back and forth, Guinevere accepts and the two are soon married with Derfel as a witness. While this is a happy development for both, their union is likely to be a controversial one on The Winter King, especially among Arthur's distracters. It could also lead to a civil war between kingdoms, as Gorfydd is not one to forgive.