WELL if that’s the case… Merlin’s role in Arthurian legend traditionally ends with him getting trapped inside a cave/tree/rock and often has his magic stolen in the process. Merlin’s in the hat. Not sure how the hat will tie into THIS arc (like others have suggested, it’ll probably be the ultimate fate of the Snow Queen) but I’d bet a whole lot of cookies he’s knocking around in there somewhere. It’s the only thing this made me think of, honestly, really curious to see where they’re going with the hat.
I didn’t know that about Merlin. Now I’m hoping he is in the hat.