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Gwen dabbed a cloth to her brother's head as Merlin watched the Knights serving the girl who had enchanted them, his eyes studying their movements, trying to find a way to break the enchantment. “I don’t understand it,” She murmured, “Why have only the knights been enchanted? Why not us as well?”
Merlin glanced over his shoulder back at her, and clenched his teeth. He raised a hand to rub at his chin and glared at Lamia, “You’re a woman.”
Gwen scoffed, “So?”
And in a way he understood. ‘ So’ was something that he had grappled with growing up every single day.
So? was what he asked when his mother tried to explain that women wore dresses and men wore trousers unless their job dictated otherwise (much to his mothers dismay). So? was his response to Will when he had commented on Merlin playing with the other boys (though, to be fair, Will just shrugged it off). So? was his mother’s response when their neighbours complained about when he had cut his hair short. So? was what he had said to Lance, all those years ago, when he had mentioned him being knight material if he had gained a bit more muscle. His body didn’t bulk up like theirs did, but that didn’t make him any less of a man. Neither did his lack of Adam's apple, conveniently obscured by his neckerchihef.
Merlin wrinkled his nose, “ So , all the victims have been men.”
Which was only slightly insulting, and he didn’t know if it was a comment to his magic or him that the enchantment didn’t work.
He could feel Gwen’s eyes at the back of his neck, “So why haven’t you fallen under her spell?”
He shrugged. Too many options. Too many potentials. Stupid enchantments. “Guess I’ve just been lucky.”
“There must be a reason.” She muttered.
Yeah, too many of them . Merlin thought annoyed, as he stared across trying to keep the knights in his view. “I’m not a knight.” He offered half heartedly, turning and stepping towards her.
Gwen huffs, “The villagers weren’t knights either. And they were enchanted.”
Which is a reasonable observation. One he wished she didn’t exactly make.
“Who knows then.” He mutters as he kneels, checking on Elyan.
“There's something about you, Merlin. It's the way she looks at you as if you were the enemy.”
Anything there was to say, was very luckily cut off from a distant yell. Merlin shot up, swaying slightly. “Stay with Elyan, and don’t leave this room.”