There were two main stories and one side adventure that took place in this week’s episode of the Shannara Chronicles.

If you remember, last week we parted with our heroes as they were seen falling off the cliff of a great wintery mountain cliff. We find out immediately that Wil has survived the fall (yay!) but the demonic beastie that fell alongside the group has not (more yay!).

Before Wil can track down Amberle and Eretria — they were separated during the fall — he runs into a new threat in the Shannara lands: Elf hunters.

Wil spends most of the episode learning about these people who slice the ears off of elves and sell them to the highest bidder, namely gnomes, who believe they contain medical properties. But he does meet one new friend along the way, a fellow elf, Perk, who is seeking revenge on the hunters for maiming him and leaving him one ear short.

The princess and the Rover

Wil isn’t the only one having to navigate around the rogue band of elf hunters on the loose. As it turns out, the same clan of hunters Wil and Perk are cautiously tracking are after Amberle and Eretria as well.

While being chased, the two ladies fall into an abandoned building and it’s here they spend the majority of the episode trying to escape.

Frankly, they don’t have a lot of luck in this regard, but they do succeed in other ways. While being trapped below, the two spend quite a bit of time talking and bonding with each other. Although they may be trapped in this place unwillingly, it’s the first moment they take to actually speak with each other. The two girls comfort one another and make an honest effort to get along — a turning point in their relationship.

Eventually, however, the elf hunters catch up and we learn a few interesting things from their visit. Not only does Eretria and the head elf hunter, Zora, know each other, they also had a fling back in the day, confirming once and for all that Eretria truly does swing both ways.

No love is lost on Zora though. She’s much more interested in Amberle’s pretty princess ears than on reconnecting with her old flame. And the hunter almost succeeds in her quest. But before Zora can claim her prize, Wil literally swoops in with his new friend Perk to grab Amberle and Eretria. Sadly though, before the group can pull away, Eretria is shot with an arrow and left behind while the others flee to safety.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown

Meanwhile, the Elessedil family may be on the brink of total destruction. Not only has the Changeling infiltrated the castle by posing as King Eventine, she intends on wielding that power to its fullest.

In this episode she lures both Arion and Ander into a trap by sending them out on a fool’s mission to assassinate the Dagda Mor. Of course, he’s fully aware of this plan and is waiting for the brothers when they ride into his territory.

The three exchange words and Arion pieces it together that his father is not his father. The demonic leader taunts the boys by bragging about the fact that he’s killed their father, and Ander charges toward the Dagda Mor in a fit of rage. He’s quickly brushed aside and Arion becomes the Dagda Mor’s new target. The heir to the throne has no chance against the magic wielding sorcerer, and he’s stabbed through the chest and killed immediately. Ander would have been the next victim as well, but Allanon arrives in time to help him get him away.

Once Ander returns home, he’s confronted with his first task as king. He must trust Allanon, as well as his own mind, and end the life of the Changeling who’s wearing his father’s face. He rises to the occasion, and stabs his father through the chest while delivering the news of Arion’s death. Heavy is the head that wears the crown: Ander now stands as the new king of Arborlon.