Just a very brief recap of what happened in the Old Religion.

I don't own any of BBC Merlin unfortunately, though I do own my OCs.

The end of the Return of Nimueh saw Alethea marrying Prince Arthur and the return of Lancelot.

Upon returning to Camelot from their honeymoon, the newlywed couple find a baby dragon on the loose. Alethea persuades them to let her keep it and names it Penny.

With Lancelot's return, Alethea feels very confused, wondering whether the legends are meant to happen in that she betrays Arthur. However, though she and Lancelot nearly kiss, they do not. Arthur catches them and both are punished, but Arthur eventually forgives them

Morgana then warns Alethea of an assassination attempt that she has dreamed of. All hope that it does not happen for both Morgana's and Alethea's sakes, but a bewitched Ceridwen does try to kill the Princess. Alethea is only saved by the good timing of the girl in the red dress, Lady Ingrid. As a result, both Morgana and Ceridwen are put on trial and found guilty. Merlin Alethea and Gwen help to free Morgana who ends up joining a group of sorcerers who are camped not too far away from Camelot.

Meanwhile, romance is beginning to blossom between Merlin and Lady Ingrid, with Merlin's favourite scarf now being in Ingrid's possession. A few love notes are passed and though Arthur disproves, Alethea encourages the young warlock to follow his heart.

After a day being taught how to swordfight and getting Excalibur, Alethea and Arthur stumble across the sorcerer's camp and spread the word back at Camelot where preparations begin. Morgana on the other hand is forced to fight against her own people as she has no choice.

The two armies meet at the field of Camlann, which causes Alethea no end of grief as she remembers the legend. Going into battle with her dragon and her husband, she fights alongside them. Arthur comes face to face with Mordred but neither hurts the other as they have no motive for it. Ingrid is the first casualty, having stumbled across the field to see Merlin and being wounded when saving the young warlock's life. As the battle wears on, Alethea comes face to face with the sorceress Eowyn who is determined to have revenge for the death of her friend Nimueh. It looks as if there is no way to save her when Uther sacrifices himself. Merlin removes Eowyn straight away.

Arthur is grief stricken with the death of his father whilst Alethea calls a truce. As her husband mourns, Alethea comforts him.

A few days later Uther's funeral is held whilst Merlin tends to Ingrid who is steadily recovering. A week later Arthur and Alethea are crowned King and Queen of Camelot.

As Christmas arrives, Alethea gets Arthur a round table whilst Arthur allows Alethea to free Ceridwen who is no longer bewitched. A snowball fight follows later on and Merlin and Ingrid have lots of fun, ending under the mistletoe.

After the snow comes the ice, trapping them in the castle. A sense of community develops with new friends being made and many stories being swapped, and Merlin helping Ingrid to pack. Ingrid tries to take Merlin with her by locking him in a trunk, but he can't go. Saying a tearful goodbye, Merlin is told that his love is returned and his heart breaks as he watches his raven haired beauty leave, though Arthur promises him that Ingrid will be back soon...