AN: If Merlin were mine, it would not be over.

So this is the first chapter. It's not the best, it's basically setting up the rest of the story. But it will get better, I promise! Just bear with me here.

The pitcher had been growing steadily heavier in the past half hour. After the first fourty-five minutes, the councilmen had stopped asking for a drink. As a result, all Merlin had been doing for the time that had passed since was stand in the conrner of the room, clutching the ornate silver pitcher of iced water, and trying not to pass out from boredom where he stood. He had been spacing out for quite some time now, but Merlin shook himself back to the present when he heard the word "sorcerer."

"Yes, that's right, one of his children has magic," the councilman confirmed. Unnoticed by the nobles, Merlin leaned in closer slightly. Who were they talking about? His stomach clenched. He hoped it wasn't another innocent magic user who would be given the ultimate punishment for their gift.

"What are you going to do, Sire? Surely Lord Cyron knows magic outlawed in Camelot? Why is he bringing his children on a diplomatic voyage?" one of the knights questioned, and Merlin realized they were talking about the noble who was coming in a few days.

The councilman looked down at his report. "It seems they have some family here. His chilren and wife are to be staying in the castle with him, but otherwise they will spend their time with their visit while he negotiates with us."

The councilmen and knights looked at Arthur expectantly. The royal sighed. Merlin practically held his breath, preparing himself from the wave of hope he knew would come if Arthur did nothing to stop the visitors coming, and the bitter disappointment if he refused them.

"He is our guest. I will not attempt to hold his family to my laws while he is visiting. However, we shall be sure to keep and eye out for any magical disturbances while they are here." He spoke with a tone of finalty, and everyone took it as the cue to let the matter be, even though some looked as though they would like to protest, and move onto the next issue. Gwen smiled from her spot next to her husband, clearly apporving of his choice. No one noticed how Merlin's attention had peaked suddenly during that discussion.

He wasn't sure whether to feel happy or disappointed. In the end, he settled on a little of both. It was a big step for Arthur to accept a visitor from another kingdom where magic was allowed, a magical visitor no less, but his tone had made it clear he was suspicious of the magical child for no reason other than that they were a sorcerer and would be quick to jump on anything suspicious. All the same, he could not help the tiny seed of hope that had planted itself in his chest. Perhaps this was an opportunity to show Arthur that not all magic users were the same.

Lost in his thoughts, Merlin let the discussion on a feud between two villages pass right over him and didn't notice when the meeting was adjourned.

"Merlin!"

The warlock was dragged back to the present by Arthur, who was waving a hand in front of his face. "When you're ready to be useful, I need to get ready for the tournament this afternoon. Today would be nice," he added, as Merlin showed no signs of movement, still shaking himself out of his stupor.

"So?" Arthur asked quietly as soon as they were out of earshot of anyone else. Merlin didn't have to ask to know what he was talking about.

"I think you did the right thing."

Arthur turned to him, self-doubt written all over his face. "You think so?"

"Yes," Merlin insisted. "To make allies, sometimes you have to make compromises. Kesmara is a strong kingdom. Think of how useful an ally they will be!"

Arthur looked somewhat assured, but still appeared to have doubts. "It's just...what if something happens while a sorcerer is here...and I just...let it happen?"

"Well, something bad could happen while any visitor is here no matter whether or not they are magical," Merlin replied. "Besides, they could have just pretended and hidden that one of them has magic. If they, or even just the sorcerer, were planning anything, they could just not tell you, and if you found out they could just say they didn't want you to be prejudiced against them in negotiations, or were scared you'd try to execute them. They wouldn't be so trusting with their secret if they hated you."

There was a pause in which both Merlin and Arthur were remembering all the dangers that had befallen Camelot because a magic user in disguise had wormed their way into the heart of Camelot. Trolls, love potions, attempts to sacrifice Arthur in order to regain immortality..

"Well I suppose that's something," Arthur murmured distractedly, continuing his walk to his chambers.

Merlin followed him, thinking that between him and Gwen, Arthur might emerge from this encounter with a little more open-mindedness towards magic.