Immediately after the Miller brothers’ escape, the Sheriff of Nottingham is in absolute fury. His daughter — and the king’s goddaughter — has been wounded by one of Robin Hood’s arrows. Nine men are dead, three fugitives remain at large, and for weeks now, he claims, Sherwood Forest has been sheltering the band. “At least we know he’s Saxon,” he snarls. He wants Robin dead or alive. And he warns: if King Henry II acts as he expects, entire towns will burn as punishment for having protected the outlaw.

Later, the sheriff himself comments to the bishop that not even he would like to see his cousin back on the battlefield. Priscilla is recovering well — and glamorously — for the grand event of the night: Queen Eleanor’s visit.

Eleanor arrives informed, curious, and intrigued by Robin Hood. She suspects he is protected by Saxon nobles and wishes to meet him in person. Not merely out of curiosity, but to understand his motives. “I did not cross England to this godforsaken place just to enjoy a roast,” she snaps.

The sheriff is visibly uncomfortable in the queen’s presence — and only then do we finally learn his first name: Philip. Maid Marian is part of the royal entourage but takes advantage of her father’s and brother’s absence to slip away in search of Robin. Of course.

Their “telepathy” remains perfect: she barely dismounts her horse, glances toward the forest… and Robin appears. Marian explains that she sent word through Will and through his uncle. She asks about the crimes attributed to him; Robin insists they were acts of self-defense, and she believes him. She mourns her brother’s death — without knowing who truly killed him. He asks her to run away with him. Marian says she cannot. And yes, it becomes painfully clear that she still does not know that Robin is, in fact, Robin Hood. God…

To make matters even more absurd, she explains that, at the queen’s request, she must arrange a meeting between Eleanor and Robin Hood — and asks whether Robin can help. Truly. How has she not made the connection yet? He says he will help. He declares his love. She replies that she loves him “even more.”

Back in Nottingham, Eleanor is impressed by the luxury of the castle and makes it clear that she knows Philip is the king’s favorite. Everyone grows suspicious of her interest in the outlaw. The Earl of Huntingdon is furious that banquets are being held instead of hunting down Robin.

Marian faces the jealousy of Celena, the queen’s lady-in-waiting, who is irritated by the secret mission Eleanor has entrusted to the young woman. Priscilla steps in to rescue her friend from the crossfire and demands to hear all about Marian’s supposed sexual adventures — which, of course, do not exist. The Earl of Pembroke approaches to inquire after Priscilla and, naturally, to flirt. They are not yet lovers, she assures him. Not yet.

Ralph notices that Robin is troubled. She gives him a gift, clearly already falling for him — though she calls it gratitude. “I would do anything for you,” she says before kissing his cheek. That night, alongside Friar Tuck and Little John, Robin speaks of Saxon traditions. The three reflect that, after the crimes they have committed, Sherwood has truly become their home.

At dinner, Eleanor proves that she knows far more than she lets on. She questions how the nobles are dealing with Robin Hood’s rebellion and makes it clear that she is there to help crush it. Huntingdon, drunk, breaks protocol and explodes at the sheriff, demanding immediate violence. He makes a fool of himself. Eleanor, however, understands his fury — and goes further: she questions the loyalty of every noble present. In her view, Robin can only remain free if he has support. As proof of obedience, she demands that they all sign a document requesting the intervention of King Henry — something the sheriff never wanted.

Robin speaks with Milange to understand how he joined the group. The answer is simple: among them, no one judges. Everyone is welcome.

Eleanor presses Marian for an answer regarding the meeting with Robin Hood and is pleased with the success of the mission. Marian seizes the moment to beg for clemency for the outlaw, saying she trusts him. The queen promises: if Marian brings her face-to-face with Robin Hood, there will be mercy.

The sheriff tries to convince the nobles to delay signing the document. He claims the queen is manipulating them to provoke her husband, whom she so deeply despises. Until then, only Pembroke had signed. To Philip’s misfortune, all the others signed as well, leaving only him in resistance. He refuses, deeming the information insufficient to summon the king. Thus, he officially breaks with Eleanor.

In secret, Robin goes to Marian’s chamber to tell her he has managed to arrange the meeting with “Robin Hood” — but he warns her that he does not trust the queen’s promise of clemency. He insists they run away together. Marian, loyal to Eleanor, refuses. He, realizing just how innocent she still is, does not reveal his true identity. She invites him to spend the night. In the morning, he once again begs her to flee. Marian says she does not wish to live in hiding forever. She schedules one last meeting before returning to Westminster, when she will deliver the document of clemency, and he will be able to leave Nottingham as a free man.

Priscilla confronts her father over his refusal to sign the document. Philip explains that what Eleanor has done is bring war to Nottingham — and that Henry is ruthless. “When war comes, there is no control. It devours everything.” To protect his daughter, he vows to do whatever it takes. Even to stand against the queen. In the investigation that follows, Philip uncovers the definitive proof: Robin Hood is Robin Locksley.

Little John tries to stop Robin from going alone to the meeting. He tells him that he is no longer just a man — he is now a leader, a symbol, a hero to the oppressed. Robin refuses to listen.

Eleanor waits for Robin Hood alongside Pembroke. Under the cover of darkness, he arrives. They speak in French — and she instantly perceives that he is well-born. Alone, she questions him about his motives. He, in turn, questions hers. Eleanor reveals her true plan: to remove Henry from France, bring him back to England, and clear the path for Richard. To achieve this, she needs Robin to intensify his actions until they can no longer be ignored. Yes: Robin Hood is, officially, recruited by the queen.

In exchange, he asks for the hand of Marian of Huntingdon. Eleanor is surprised by the purity of his desire — and then discovers that he is a Locksley. The only person who remains without the slightest clue is Marian. The queen accepts the deal: she will free Marian when the king is compelled to come. But she warns him: “Will Marian still want to be with you when she learns who you are?” He has no time to respond. The agreement suits her. And so she takes her leave of the “Prince of Thieves.” As the episode’s title declares: Bound by Love, Divided by Lies.

Priscilla and Pembroke finally become lovers.

At the castle, Eleanor receives a visit from Philip. He announces that he knows who Robin Hood is. He will capture and kill him. And that he knows her strategy. In a symbolic gesture, he throws the nobles’ signed document into the fire. From this moment on, the two are declared enemies.

At last, the Earl of Huntingdon confronts Marian for being ignored by his own daughter. In the argument, he reveals — with no gentle wording whatsoever — that it was Robin who killed his son. Marian learns in the cruelest possible way. She weeps, shattered. Still unaware that Robin Locksley is Robin Hood. Still unaware that he has just negotiated her fate with the queen. And that, perhaps, he has negotiated very poorly indeed.