Odin

Odin
Also known as:	King Odin
Biographical Information
Race:	Human
Gender:	Male
Family:	Unnamed son † (killed by Arthur Pendragon)
Statistics
Affiliation:	Myror † Unnamed son † The Gleeman † Geldred Circus Group Wenham Morgana Pendragon† Arthur Pendragon (On a truce) †
Enemies:	Uther Pendragon † Arthur Pendragon (formerly) Camelot
Behind the Scenes
Portrayer:	Fintan McKeown
List of Appearances:	The Once and Future Queen Another's Sorrow

“I want you to kill the man who murdered my son. I want you to kill... Arthur Pendragon.”

— Odin to Myror^[src]

King Odin is the monarch of a kingdom on the shore of Albion. He wanted revenge on Arthur for killing his son, until they agreed to be at peace with each other.

Biography

Odin orders Myror to kill Arthur

After suffering terrible grief over the death of his beloved son at the hands of Arthur Pendragon, Odin planned to have the young Prince killed by the notorious assassin Myror. When Uther learned of the plot, he desired to go to war with Odin. However, Arthur dissuaded his father from taking action on the grounds that he would have similar sentiments if he, Arthur, was killed (The Once and Future Queen).

On their way to Morgause's lair, Arthur and Merlin were attacked by several of Odin's men who were swiftly defeated by the duo (The Sins of the Father).

Over a year later, a series of skirmishes to the north of Camelot led Uther to suspect that Odin was testing Camelot's defenses (Queen of Hearts).

Yet another year later, Odin sent an assassin, the Gleeman, to kill Arthur, disguised as a entertainer in a circus group that had come to Camelot for Arthur's birthday celebrations. Although the assassin failed to kill Arthur, he succeeded in mortally wounding Uther who, despite their best efforts, died (The Wicked Day).

Shortly afterwards, Odin commenced a series of raids on Camelot's northern borders (Aithusa).

Agravaine told Arthur that his victory against Caerleon was not enough to deter the likes of Odin and Bayard and the countless others who covet Camelot's wealth, suggesting that he should force Caerleon to accept a treaty on his terms (His Father's Son).

An envoy from Odin was later sent to Camelot, suggesting possibility of a better relationship between Odin and Arthur (The Secret Sharer).

A letter from Odin's court was found on the body of Eoghan, the mapmaker's apprentice. It was presumably planted by Agravaine in order to shift blame from him, as he had ordered Eoghan to steal a map of the siege tunnels for him (The Hunter's Heart).

Three years later, Odin allies himself with Morgana and he secretly attacks and takes over King Rodor's kingdom, Nemeth, because they are allies of Camelot. Morgana then lures Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table to his hideout in a tomb where he held Rodor. Odin managed to capture Arthur and prepared to kill him but Merlin uses magic to cause a small earthquake inside the tomb. In the confusion that follows, Merlin, Arthur, Percival, Mithian and Rodor escape the tomb and flee, with Odin's army at their heels.

Odin makes a truce with Arthur

Arthur and Odin then duel with Arthur quickly defeating Odin. Merlin tells Arthur to spare Odin and create an alliance with him instead. Both are reluctant but Arthur sees the wisdom of Merlin's words and convinces Odin to set aside their difference and join him in an alliance (Another's Sorrow).

Personality

Odin showing great pleasure in capturing Nemeth

Odin is a vengeful, stubborn and incredibly obsessive person as he made continuous efforts to get his revenge on Arthur for the death of his son. His obsession with killing Arthur lasted for at least five years, probably much longer since it is difficult to judge exactly how much time has passed since his son's death. Odin never gave up in his attempts to kill Arthur, no matter how many times his plans failed.

Many years after, Odin still retained a ruthless personality, but whilst in negotiation with Arthur, he showed that his feud with Arthur is out of his pain and suffering and he eventually accepted Arthur's truce, showing that he acted in revenge purely to redeem his suffering and that he agreed with the idea of peace. It can also be believed that Odin loved his son dearly as he was intent on taking revenge.

Abilities

Odin is a very skilled sword fighter, able to hold his own against Arthur Pendragon, a highly skilled swordsman who was considered the greatest warrior in Camelot, but was still quickly bested. It is suspected that his son inherited his abilities from him due to the fact he is involved in duels in the past.

Trivia

• His coat-of-arms appears to be similar to a wolf's head, as shown on his knights in The Sins of the Father.
• Odin is often mentioned, but has appeared only in the Series 2 episode The Once and Future Queen and in the episode Another's Sorrow of Series 5.
• Odin is the name of the ruler of the Norse gods. The god is also a king in the Marvel Comics and has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, mainly in the popular series, Thor.
• Due to his Norse name, Odin could theoretically have been part of (or descended from) the Vikings who raided and settled in Albion historically.

Appearances

Series 2

The Once and Future Queen

The Sins of the Father (Mentioned only)

Series 3

Queen of Hearts (Mentioned only)

Series 4

The Wicked Day (Mentioned only)

Aithusa (Mentioned only)

His Father's Son (Mentioned only)

The Secret Sharer (Mentioned only)

The Hunter's Heart (Mentioned only)

Series 5

Another's Sorrow

Gallery

Video gallery

Click "show" to see a video gallery of Odin. 

Merlin 02.02 The Once and Future Queen - Teaser Trailer Myror

Merlin 5×04 Morgana and Mithian "Another's Sorrow"

Merlin 5×04 Arthur is ambushed "Another's Sorrow"

Merlin 5×04 Merlin rescues Arthur "Another's Sorrow"

Merlin 5×04 Arthur fight scene "Another's Sorrow"

Merlin 5×04 Arthur fight scene 2 "Another's Sorrow"