I think I’ve seen posts before about how Lancelot seems calm and sensible but is actually chaotic and encourages Merlin to be chaotic but like.... Gwen gives the same energy.
- Gwen walks in on Merlin doing dumb and/or illegal shit more than anyone else in the show I’m pretty sure (/assuming because I’ve only rewatched a few episodes since last may).
- She helps Merlin commit theft of a heavy ass statue in season 1 episode 2 after just meeting him. Just a normal day in Camelot.
- in episode 9 Merlin’s like ‘hey can you steal a nice swordy sword from your father and give it to me please’. She’s like ‘yup sure. He’ll kill me if he finds out I’ve given you this sword but here you go. Love you. Good luck!’. Merlin never returns the sword. Gwen never asks.
- She walks in on Merlin stealing from Morgana multiple times. We see Gwen walking in, always looking amused and teasing him slightly. Then it cuts to the next scene and Merlin’s walking along like he hasn’t just been caught. Gwen’s never concerned by his habits and never seems to be mad/ tell him off/ warn him to at least be more careful. She’s so chill about it.
- Don’t even get me started on season 3 episode 3. Merlin is arrested for sorcery. He breaks out of jail - no one questions how. He pops up in Gwens house, almost scaring her to death, while guards are rushing past the house. When she sees that it’s just her idiotic criminal friend Merlin, she’s just like ‘ffs come here let me harbour your criminal ass and risk my own neck’. 0 questions asked. Oh you want to kill Guais, Merlin? You want to poison him? Yeah sure I’ll help you, that sounds like great fun. Let’s catch this goblin together.
- There’s probably more examples but, again, I’ve only rewatched a few episodes recently so
- In conclusion, I think Gwen is even more chaotic than Lancelot. I love her.
I love her dynamic with Merlin so much. They’re so soft together. Chaoticness aside, they never hesitate to help the other out if they’re in need and that’s so beautiful. They never judge each other for anything either. And they always give the other support, emotionally I mean, when they see that the other’s feeling low or insecure.
Back to the chaos: Imagine if Lancelot never left. Imagine the chaotic trio that would have been Merlin, Gwen, and Lancelot. Imagine if Gwen had also found out about Merlin’s magic earlier, and her and Lancelot formed the Merlin protection squad. Merlin would have been their criminal son that they loved unconditionally. If only
i also love gwen because of the fact that she was very accepting when she found out about merlin's magic. she had full trust in merlin and what he could do, which makes their dynamic even better
AH YES! Truly the smartest character on the show.
She had every reason to be mad at him for not telling her, or to be wary (as she has almost been killed because of magic multiple times, she has been enchanted and manipulated with magic, and her father was killed because of magic), but she wasn’t angry and she wasn’t wary. She seemed almost relieved. Almost like, if anyone should have this great limitless power, then it should be Merlin. She trusted Merlin instinctively, even after him lying to her for so many years. She knew of his kindness and loyalty and his own love for her and Arthur and everyone she holds dear.
She must have been suspecting it for a while, to come to the right conclusion so quickly. After the battle when she was back in Camelot, before finding answers from Gaius, in between worrying about Arthur - or perhaps to distract herself from worrying about Arthur - I bet she took a lot of time to reflect on her and Merlin’s relationship, reflecting on all the points she suspected something, all the points where something didn’t add up. I think she was comforted to know that she’s always had someone there in the shadows trying to keep her from harm - because there’s no way she’d think he was doing anything but that.
She really knew him well. They had been friends since day 1. Gwen helped Merlin get used to his role as servant. Merlin always checked in on her and her family “How’s your father? Is he feeling better?”. When Gwen was arrested, he burst in front of the king to confess his guilt. Gwen always believed him even when no one else would. Gwen was constantly at Merlin’s bedside when he was dying, to try to help him and so he wasn’t alone. Merlin went to Gwen after work and ranted to her for hours about the idiot he works for “even though you complain about him constantly”. Gwen helped him whenever he asked, never hesitating. Merlin was always the one Gwen turned to when she needed help in season one, or when she knew something was wrong - from the start sensing that he would protect her and fight for her. Gwen didn’t hesitate to go back to Merlin’s village with him to help him fight those attacking his village. Merlin comforted her and offered her a place to stay when her father was arrested, sleeping on a chair so she could have his bed. He comforted her after his execution. “I think you’ve been amazing.” Gwen looks after Hunith when she’s ill, making her as comfortable as possible. “You have such a good heart, Gwen. Don’t ever lose that”.
And that’s just season one.
I haven’t watched the other seasons recently so I can’t remember too much. Merlin helped Gwen and Arthur to get together, so happy to see his dearest friends happy. Gwen comforted Merlin after Gaius went missing. Merlin stayed with Gwen all night when she had been shot with a crossbow, watching over her and protecting her. They fought together, side by side, on multiple occasions, doing their best to protect the other. Merlin was willing to reveal his magic in front of her to keep her safe. Merlin sent Gwen to Ealdor during her banishment so she had a safe place to stay. Merlin would have helped her transition into queen, kept her company was she felt lonely.
Anyway my point is that they’re so close. While Gwen may not have known everything about Merlin, she still knew him. So after seeing his raw power at Camlann, having her suspicions confirmed, of course she’d still trust him. Of course she’s smile and laugh - probably at how much of a reckless idiot he is hiding out in Camelot of all places for all this time. Of course her first instinct would be to accept him for who he is, because how could she not? She knew him, and she knew his heart, and this was a part of him - so how could it be evil or corrupt. “I’m pleased” that it’s him, because there’s no one I’d trust more.
So fucking beautiful.

























