AN: So, this is the third full length story in the Cuilén series. The other stories are I Used to Know and That Which is Good. It's not totally necessary to read the others, though it might help. Main things to note if you haven't read the others: Cuilén is an empath and a younger cousin to both Gwaine and Merlin. And Merlin is Court Sorcerer so magic is legal in Camelot. Arthur is king and Gwen is absent.

There will be a huge amount of Merlin hurt in the later chapters, so just warning you.

Written with Anna Davenport.


Merlin, the newly appointed court sorcerer, stood just behind Arthur's throne as a procession entered the room regally, an older king bowing briefly before Arthur stood and shook his hand.

"Welcome," Arthur said simply.

"Thank you. It's been a long while since I visited Camelot," the king smiled. "Last time I was here, you were but a crowned prince! Now you are king, and from what I have heard, a fine one."

Merlin forced himself not to roll his eyes. Now that Arthur felt more comfortable as king, he'd decided to invite each of his allegiances to visit, and each one seemed to try harder to impress the king than the last. King Alister was always one for using flattery to get ahead, and he clearly hadn't changed much since his last visit. Last visit Merlin had still been a servant and had been forced to serve Alister, which proved to be listed under one of his less enjoyable experiences in Camelot.

As the two kings continued to talk, Merlin shifted slightly. Just because he had a fancy title now didn't mean Arthur treated him much different than when he was a servant, and he hoped the meeting would be over soon so he could go sit down.

"Oh, I don't know if you remember Merlin," Arthur suddenly turned to smile at the warlock. "He used to be my serving boy, but as he has proven his unfailing loyalty to me, I brought back a position that hasn't been used to many years. He is now the court sorcerer, or warlock really, I suppose."

Arthur smiled, however Alister suddenly had a deep-set frown on his face.

"Court sorcerer?" He asked slowly.

"Yes, magic is now legal in Camelot," Arthur explained. "I sent out a missive proclaiming the change. It must have just missed you."

"Indeed it did," Alister nodded slowly. "I believed that your father and Camelot disapproved of magic."

Alister hesitated for a moment, but when he saw Arthur's face hardening, Alister chuckled and held a hand out for Merlin to shake.

"Well, times change, I suppose," Alister smiled slightly. "I'm from a different time, I know. Well now, it's nice to meet you, Merlin. I'm sure you're quite proud to have been given such a responsibility."

"I suppose," Merlin nodded stiffly. For some reason, Alister put him on edge. He'd bring it up to Arthur later. For now, he stood back slightly behind Arthur again. Merlin heard a door opening, and Cuilén entered the room to stand next to Merlin.

"I had to help Gaius," Cuilén whispered to Merlin. "Sorry I'm late, does Arthur need anything."

"Not right now," Merlin replied quietly.

"I have had a servant assigned to attend to your every need," Arthur told Alister. "His name is George. He will take you bags to your room."

George stepped forward and hurriedly grabbed the bags and bustled away with as many as he could carry. Alister nodded and left, his procession bowing and following behind. Soon the room was empty for everyone save Merlin, Cuilén and Arthur. Immediately, both Merlin and Cuilén shared a look before turning to Arthur.

"He's going to bring trouble," Merlin interrupted whatever Arthur was about to say.

"I can tell, he has animosity," Cuilén added softly.

"Are two you always this paranoid?" Arthur groaned. "I have known Alister for most of my life."

"He didn't like it when you said I was a court sorcerer," Merlin pointed out, glancing up when Leon poked his head in to check that all was well, smiled, and then continued. "You know those strong feelings I get? I have one of those strong feeling right now."

"I do as well," Cuilén cast his eyes downward. "I'm sorry, Sire, but he makes me uneasy. I think someone should keep a watch on him, just for safety's sake. I'm sorry for being paranoid."

"Well," Arthur thought about it for a second. "Why don't you help George for the week then Cuilén? You can keep an eye on Alister and Merlin won't worry so much."

Cuilén hesitated, before he swallowed and nodded slowly.

"Alright, yes Sire," Cuilén bowed his head before scampering away.

"Are you sure that's wise? If I remember correctly, Alister is the type to talk harshly to servants, and Cuilén can be a rather gentle, timid boy," Merlin frowned slightly.

"He will be fine," Arthur reassured him. "Cuilén will let us know if something is wrong."

"I hope so," Merlin nodded. "How long is Alister staying? A week? How much harm can happen in a week, I guess?"

"I honestly don't know how long he will stay," Arthur admitted. "That's why I gave him George, he doesn't have any other duties really besides covering for you. Maybe I can convince Alister to take George with him when he goes."

"Oh come on, he's not that bad," Merlin laughed softly. "Even if he is a bit dull. Ya know, cause he talks about brass, which becomes dull in color, and he sharpens swords. Dull? Get it? He can be dull?"

"What have I said about you trying to be funny Merlin?" Arthur asked, glancing at his servant.

"I shouldn't be?" Merlin grinned lopsidedly.

"You're learning," Arthur grinned. "Slowly mind you, but you are learning."

"Well that's good, even if I'm not supposed to be your servant anymore and instead I'm the Court Sorcerer. Really, you're supposed to be learning from me!" Merlin grinned triumphantly at this realisation. "You know, I should take advantage of this more often! I am the Court Sorcerer after all, maybe I could make Cuilén my servant and save him all of your pratishness!"

Arthur stared at Merlin for a moment, then started to laugh. "Being your servant would be the easiest job ever. You would never ask him to do anything since you would just do it yourself and you would just let him do whatever he wanted to."

"Oh really? In that case he would definitely be saved from your pratishness. If he was my servant, I could make him do all the random chores you make me do on top of trying to figure out laws for magic. Oh, better yet, I could make him go talk to the council about magic laws and try to make them see sense, 'cause they sure don't seem to listen to me!"

Arthur nodded, his mind wandering to the council. They had accepted Merlin because Arthur had pretty much forced them too but they weren't too keen to allow magic to be practiced freely by everyone. While magic wasn't outright outlawed, there were still restrictions as to who could do what. Arthur was working on it but so far the council refused to see the reason behind letting magic users practice their magic freely.

"Maybe he would be more persuasive than you are," Arthur grinned good naturedly at Merlin. "You don't seem to be doing much good, maybe I made the wrong person court sorcerer."

"Hey, who's the one who saved your life with magic, eh?" Merlin glared playfully at Arthur. "Besides, I'm the most trusted warlock in the kingdom, right? Cuilén's an empath, not a sorcerer, or warlock. So there. Course, I wouldn't mind getting out of meetings..."

"Of course you wouldn't, I wouldn't mind there not being a council to convince, or at least have that council be changed to the knights, Geoffrey, Cuilén and you. I wager you all would be easier to convince."

"I'm the one trying to do the convincing!" Merlin declared. "I would be plenty easy to convince about my own idea!"

"Well yeah, but I meant about taxes and such matters of state," Arthur explained. "Only Leon, Gaius and possibly you would really know what I was talking about so I don't think you would be hard to convince about lowering the taxes."

"Only possibly me?" Merlin looked offended. "I know plenty enough to know I'd agree with that. Anyway, I'm going to be ready when Cuilén is through helping George. I need to make sure he'll be okay. See you, Arthur."

"Don't worry about him too much," Arthur warned. "And make sure Gwaine doesn't either."

"I have no power over whatever it is Gwaine thinks and worries about, he's up to you. Bye!" With that, Merlin walked toward the doors and towards Gaius's chambers.

MMM

Cuilén knocked softly and then entered the big room where king Alister was staying. George was putting away clothes while Alister read some parchment by the window.

"Arthur sent me to help you," Cuilén approached George.

"Who's that?" Alister suddenly turned around and looked to George for information. "And is he magical as well?"

"That is Cuilén, my Lord. He is the apprentice of our physician Gaius, what is your power called again?" He asked turning to Cuilén.

"Oh, I'm an empath, my lord," Cuilén bowed quickly. "It's nice to meet you. I can help you with anything you need."

"That is most kind of you," Alister said, smiling at Cuilén. Cuilén couldn't help but notice the smile never reached his eyes.

"So, is there anything you need at the moment?" Cuilén asked slowly. "Putting things away or something?"

"Not at the moment. I think George has it covered. You can, however, tell me about the sudden change of the laws concerning magic."

"How so?" Cuilén asked, confused. "My cousin, Merlin, helped Arthur to decide that some magic users can be trusted. He helps to make the new magic laws. Anything else concerning these questions that you wish to know?"

"Why would the king change his laws so suddenly?"

"Well, he's known Merlin for some time, and Merlin helped save Arthur's life, so Arthur believes magic can be used for good," Cuilén smiled at the king, though inside the boy felt uneasy. Why was he being asked these questions?

"Magic has proven time and time again in this kingdom to be evil," Alister commented, almost to himself. "Even the king's own sister was corrupted by magic, who is to say that it won't corrupt this young man as well."

"Merlin was born with magic, he's always had it, he can't get corrupted!" Cuilén suddenly spoke in a raised voice, before he ducked his head shamefully and swallowed. "My lord, I apologize for my sudden outburst. Merlin is like family to me, so that made me a bit upset. I'm sorry. I understand your viewpoint, I just don't think magic could hurt my cousin like that."

"Then you have not seen what evil is within magic. Or what it can do," Alister growled. "I am finished with my questions for now, you may go."

"Yes, my lord," Cuilén bowed quickly, before he hesitated. "You have been hurt by magic, like I heard this former king was. This former king had terrible things happen to him because of magic, and I can feel that you're the same. I'm sorry, really. I hope we can help to show you differently and help heal the hurt that magic has done to you, whatever it may be. I hope we can help you. Goodbye, my lord."

Cuilén looked saddened as he began to leave the room.

"Do not speak to me like that, boy." Alister said harshly. "Now get out of my sight!"

"Yes Sire," Cuilén's eyes widened in fright, and he bowed again before slipping quickly out of the room. He began to hurry towards Gaius's chambers, when he suddenly ran into someone in his haste. Sniffling, he looked up to see Merlin standing there.

"Oh, Merlin!" Cuilén blinked up at the older boy. He swallowed quickly in hopes of keeping his suddenly arising emotion out of his voice.

"Hey, Cuilén," Merlin studied his younger cousin. "You okay?"

"Oh course, yeah," Cuilén nodded quickly. "I just finished, er, helping Alister. He didn't need very much at this time."

"You sure?" Merlin sounded worried.

"Oh course," Cuilén nodded. "He just had a few questions and things, nothing big. Where are you headed?"

"I was trying to find you. What kind of questions?" Merlin sounded suspicious.

"Oh, about laws and magic and things. He doesn't agree with Arthur when it come to magic because something bad happened to him, but I'm sure he'll come to understand, someday. No one can continue to not like something once they see the good in it, right? Once he sees that you're good, he'll understand, right? Maybe you should talk to him and help him see that people with magic can be good."

"Why would he ask you? I'm the court sorcerer," Merlin muttered, sounding a bit miffed.

"I'm not sure he likes you a lot right now, because I'm not sure he likes magic very much right now, but if you show him that you're not evil, it might help."

"I can try but there are some people who cannot be changed, take Uther for example," Merlin explained, trying to get Cuilén to see. "He never forgave magic and never accepted it."

"But Arthur changed, and I think Alister might be able to come to understand. Right now, though, he makes me sort of... Uneasy. How long will he be staying here?"

"Arthur doesn't know, that's why he put George in charge of helping him. He thinks if George does a good job, which he will undoubtedly, he can pawn the poor guy off on Alister," Merlin chuckled. "You only have to help as long as you think is needed to watch him. You can stop anytime."

"I might stop soon," Cuilén admitted. "I don't like him very much... I'm sorry that I don't, Arthur was excited for his visit. Anyway, I'd best go help Gaius, he needed me to make some simple cures and deliver them."

"Cuilén," Merlin said, as the boy turned toward Gaius' chambers. "Don't feel bad about it. I gave Arthur a lot more fuss about way smaller things then not liking a person. He will understand, and if he doesn't let me know and I will talk with him."

"Okay, thank you Merlin," Cuilén smiled gently before he skipped up the stairs and then hurried toward Gaius's chambers.

Merlin stared after him with a frown. Cuilén was so sweet and gentle, sometimes he worried about him a bit. He needed someone to look out for him, and Merlin hoped he was doing a good job at that. Shaking his head, Merlin went to find Geoffrey to ask some more questions about previous laws for court sorcerers.


AN: Please review! Let me know what you think :)