AN: Only two reviews last time, but thanks for those! Merlin is back :)

Written with Anna Davenport

Merlin was leaning against the cool wall of his cave, listening to the sounds of crickets outside, when he decided that it'd be a good time to check in on Cuilén. Merlin closed his eyes and concentrated hard, when all of a sudden pain exploded in his head. His hands flew to his temples and he groaned softly. Merlin quickly stopped trying to communicate with Cuilén and slowly the pain receded. Suddenly feeling panicked, Merlin tried again. Was Cuilén okay? Again, his head exploded with pain when he tried to communicate with Cuilén. Frowning, Merlin grabbed the magic book he had sitting next to him and looked up the spell he was using.

Merlin frowned when he discovered that such pain might be felt if a third party was purposely blocking communication. Had someone found out about Merlin contacting Cuilén, and that person now stopping him?

Merlin flipped through the spell book trying to find a counter spell to whatever was blocking their communication.

He tried a few spells, before he found one that worked.

"Hey Cuilén." He said aloud, knowing Cuilén would hear him now. "What happened there? Are you okay?"

There was a moment of hesitation, before Merlin heard a very soft voice in his head. He asked Cuilén to repeat what he'd just said, and this time Cuilén's voice was louder.

What was that? Why'd my head start hurting so bad?

"I think someone knows that I'm communicating with you. I have a book about this and it says that'll happen when someone besides the two people communicating tries to stop the two people, the two people will get these really bad headaches, and we did. Do you have any idea who might know, besides Gwaine and Gaius?"

No, but Arthur was acting really weird today. I went and saw him in the morning, and he was really nice. Then tonight he was really mean!

"What do you mean? How so?"

He was questioning me about my past and all kinds of things.

"Did you talk to anyone today besides Arthur, Gaius, and Gwaine?"

Just a guard and the Lady Morgana.

"The Lady Morgana?" Merlin's heart dropped. "You talked to the Lady Morgana?"

Why's he making a big deal about the Lady Morgana? Merlin heard Cuilén ask someone.

I don't know. Merlin heard Gwaine say from the background. Why don't you ask him that?

"The Lady Morgana is dangerous!" Merlin spoke up before Cuilén even got the chance to ask. "She's evil! She's been plotting against Camelot, and I can't know for sure, but she might have been part of the reason why Camelot was attacked just before I… Before I left."

But I thought the Lady Morgana was Arthur's sister! Aren't they really close? Everyone thinks she's a hero!

What's he saying? Merlin heard Gwaine ask impatiently.

He thinks the Lady Morgana is bad. Cuilén told Gwaine. But she can't be, can she?

Merlin could practically feel Gwaine hesitating.

I don't know Cuilén. Gwaine said after a minute or two of silence.

What do you mean? She could be bad? Gwaine, tell me, please!

Well, she has always been cold to almost everyone, but I don't know her very well. I only know that she has a cold, almost evil, feeling surrounding her. Gwaine explained, sounding apologetic that he was speaking about Morgana that way.

"Cuilén, listen to me," Merlin spoke up. "Morgana used to be a really good person, but she had a sister who she spent a very long time with, away from Camelot. When she came back, she had changed. No one else seems to see it, except Gaius, and besides, no one can say anything bad about her since Arthur really cares about her. Nevertheless, she is out to destroy Camelot and Arthur. You need to be really, really careful, and protect Arthur from her. I'm not joking, Cuilén, she's dangerous."

There might be a problem protecting Arthur from her… Right now I think he kind of hates me…

"What do you mean?" Merlin's heart banged in his ribcage. "What could have happened in a day?"

He found out I'm from Ealdor, and he just… I don't know, he got really mad. I don't think I'll be able to protect him if he won't let me near him...

"Cuilén, what lead to him finding out you're from Ealdor?"

I don't know, I left his chambers right as Morgana was going in, and then that night he seemed totally different.

"You mean he seemed different after he communicated with Morgana? Has he been talking to Morgana a lot since I left?"

I don't know…

"Ask Gwaine!"

Has Morgana been talking to the king a lot since Merlin left? Cuilén spoke up.

Only a little more than usual. But it is mostly nightly visits and she eats breakfast with him most mornings. Gwaine said.

"Oh no," Merlin sighed, running his hands through his hair.

What is it? Are you okay?

"I think Morgana may have some sort of power over Arthur. Ask Gwaine when Arthur is in his worst moods."

Cuilén did, and Gwaine answered rapidly.

Morning training. Gwaine was quick to reply, Training is a lot harder than usual.

"And at night?"

He is very sullen at night.

Merlin groaned to himself and put his head in his hands. If Morgana had some kind of spell on Arthur, there was no one to help him. Cuilén couldn't do that kind of magic, and even Merlin couldn't fix something like that unless he was in the same room as Arthur or Morgana.

"You need to remain Arthur's servant," Merlin told Cuilén seriously. "Pretty much no matter the cost, you have got to remain his servant. It's crucial that you do. I can't return to Camelot, not so soon after I left. You have to stand in for me, do you understand? Please, Cuilén!"

Well… Okay, it might be hard now that he knows where I am from.

What is going on?

Merlin laughed as he heard Gwaine protest.

"Does Gwaine have any suggestions for ways of staying his servant?"

At this point he told me to lay low, do everything he tells me to, and attempt to avoid him when possible.

"Ask Gwaine if that is really most likely to work. Is that the same or different from the servants he kept firing? What made him hire you, exactly? What will he do if he sees how you've changed? Should you act different at different times of the day?"

Cuilén relayed the questions to Gwaine.

Arthur doesn't want someone like you Merlin, he wants you to come back. He isn't going to say that out loud but I've seen the look in his eyes when Cuilén serves him... He wishes you were still here. And right now, Morgana might have done something to make him think anyone from Cenred's lands has magic or might hurt him. All I'm saying is Cuilén should be really careful, I don't want him getting hurt!

Merlin sighed, his hand instinctively reaching over and petting the puppy he'd adopted, just like he always did these days when he was upset. He hesitated, before his nodded to himself.

"Okay, but you know I can't go back. Tell Gwaine that he knows I can't go back. Somewhere inside himself, Arthur may want me to return, but that wouldn't change my sentance. I've left, and I can't return until something drastic happens. I don't want you getting hurt either, Cuilén, but I'm so sure that Morgana is doing something to Arthur, and I don't want anything to happen to him either. I need you close to Arthur so I can monitor what's happening to him. Please, do whatever it takes to remain his servant. I don't know what that is, so I guess look to Gwaine and Gaius for help. Okay? Does Gwaine think he can instruct you in how to act?"

I can. Gwaine said after Cuilén relayed Merlin's message.

"Okay, and talk to Gaius a lot. Is there any way you could take up my old place in Gaius's chambers? He will have a lot good advice, and though I know it'll be hard to follow, he'll know what to do."

I'd love to! Cuilén declared. I love healing and things! He told me all about anatomy today and...

"I've heard it all Cuilén," Merlin said chuckling. "Maybe you can become his apprentice if I come back. Then I wouldn't have to."

So you want Cuilén to move into your old chambers? And it's when you come back not if, 'cause you are coming back no matter what Arthur says. But when you do come back where will you live?

"That'll be a long time from now," Merlin admitted sadly. "If, or when, I come back, a lot may have changed. Don't expect it to be anytime soon, Gwaine. I'm sorry, but you might as well just get used to my absence. At least we can communicate, so long as Morgana, or whoever it was, doesn't block our connection. Cuilén, avoid Morgana as much as you can. If she does know of our connection, and the fact I can break her spell, I'm worried what she'd try to do to you."

You mean… Cuilén seemed to swallow uneasily. Like she'd try to get rid of me like Arthur tried to get rid of you?

Wait! Is this dangerous for Cuilén? Merlin? What would she do to him? Gwaine almost yelled.

"Cuilén, tell him there's nothing to worry about so long as you avoid her, never make any mention of me whatsoever, never tell anyone else about the fact you're related to me (apparently), never make any mention of magic, and act really subservient to her. I'm so, so sorry to ask that of you, really, truly I am, but we have no other choice. Okay? Please try to understand! Can you understand that, Cuilén? Please?"

Okay, Cuilén replied simply. I'll tell him it's safe. She won't know anything about our connections, if I can do anything about it. Okay, Gwaine? I'll be safe. I'll be fine.

Alright. Gwaine said reluctantly. If he gets hurt, Merlin... Gwaine didn't finish his sentence but Merlin understood what he meant.

"Tell Gwaine it'll be okay. I'll be more careful about contacting you. If I have any sort of headache, I'll do the counter-spell to Morgana's. Be safe, Cuilén."

I will. Cuilén promised. I'll talk to you later, okay?

"Okay," Merlin sighed, and then he glumly left Cuilén's mind. His puppy whimpered quietly, and Merlin reached in his pocket, extracting a treat before he ruffled the dog's coat. Merlin shut his eyes tightly and hoped with all his might that nothing would happen to Cuilén. He hadn't really minded dangerous situations all that much, but putting someone else in a dangerous situation was different. Still, it was necessary…

Sighing, Merlin absentmindedly scratched the puppy behind the ears and tried to fall asleep.

MMM

In the morning, Cuilén woke up quickly and yanked on his clothes in a rush. It wasn't until he was dressed that he didn't know whether or not he should go wake up Arthur. Deciding that not even trying would just make him look like a terrible servant, so Cuilén ran as fast as he could until he reached Arthur's chambers. The king was still asleep, and Cuilén shut the door quietly. He took a deep breath, and then slowly approached the bed. Remembering what he'd been told, Cuilén took a deep breath and then spoke softly.

"Are you ready to get up, Sire?" Cuilén asked, hoping this was the correct way to wake up royalty. Arthur groaned and turned over.

"Would you like me to go get your breakfast, Sire? Hello? Are you awake?"

"Huh? What?" The king's eyes blinked open.

"Do you want me to get your breakfast, Sire?" Cuilén asked.

Arthur blinked rapidly then nodded, "Yes, go and get me my breakfast."

Cuilén hurried from the room, glad he hadn't been yelled at yet, and when he returned he found the king sitting up in bed.

"Here's your breakfast, Sire. I hope that it's to your satisfaction," Cuilén bowed deeply, hoping he was doing everything right, and waited for the king to give him an order to do something.

"Go get my armor. I have training in an hour." Arthur barked the order in Cuilén's general direction.

Cuilén scrambled to carry out the order, wracking his brain for how to put the armor on. Clearly Arthur wouldn't stand for him not knowing today.

"Hurry up!" Arthur called from across the room as Cuilén tried to figure out how to work the armor.

Cuilén grabbed the arm full of armor and brought it over to the table next to Arthur. Quickly, Cuilén recalled how to screw on most of it, and remembered where most of it went, however near the end he started having some trouble with the gauntlet. It seemed determined not to stay.

"What is taking so long?" Arthur snapped, glancing down at Cuilén.

"Nothing, Sire, it's just the gauntlet. This should only take a second…" Cuilén's hands fumbled for a moment, before the gauntlet fell to the ground with a crash. Cuilén winced dramatically.

Arthur watched as Cuilén picked up the fallen gauntlet.

"What is wrong with you today?" He snapped.

"I'm sorry, really, Sire," Cuilén's voice shook. "Here, it's done. I'm sorry. Oh, there goes the helmet..."

Cuilén's hands were shaking so much that the helmet fell to the ground with another crash.

Arthur turned toward Cuilén and pointed toward the door.

"Get out," he said.

"I- Yes Sire," Cuilén nodded, reaching down to pick up the helmet before he left.

"Leave it." Arthur barked, "Don't come back till you know how to put my armor on without delay."

"But, I- I mean, yes Sire," Cuilén bowed shakily, and then he ran for the door, practically leaping through it in his haste. Standing outside was the Lady Morgana, who was apparently ready to go in.

"Greetings Cuilén," she said coldly. "Is my brother in there?"

Cuilén panted for several seconds as he nodded, quickly regaining his voice.

"Yes he, he is, my lady," Cuilén bowed, struggling to keep his entire frame from shaking. "I'll get the door for you."

Pushing his shaking away, Cuilén held the door open for her, and then bowed again. She smirked at him and then sashayed into the room. She turned around quickly, though, and whispered: "Tell Merlin hello for me."

"Who? I don't- But-"

Without waiting for a response, Morgana shut the doors herself, leaving Cuilén standing in the hall, a shaking, quivering mess. After several moments of shaking his head, Cuilén turned and hurried toward Gaius's chambers. Maybe, hopefully, the old healer might have some words of advice.

MMM

Gaius was looking over a new medicine when the door banged open and Cuilén stormed in, his face an almost grey shade.

"Cuilén?" Gaius looked surprised. "What has occurred?"

"Morgana, she's evil, and she knows! She knows Merlin contacted me! He told me to be careful, and I have been, but she knows! I don't know what to do! She hasn't told Arthur, but the threat is just hanging over me! Oh yeah, and Merlin told me to move in with you..."

"Slow down!" Gaius commanded. "One thing at a time. Morgana knows you are able to communicate with Merlin? That is serious."

"What do I do?" Cuilén almost wailed.

"Well, how do you know this?"

"She told me."

"She told you?" Gaius sounded shocked. "She spoke to you of this? What were her exact words, Cuilén?"

"Uh, it was something along the lines of 'tell Merlin hello for me'."

"Yes, she knows," Gaius sighed. "Or she could be playing a very dangerous mind game. Did you react in a way that showed her if you have been communicating with him?"

Cuilén shrugged.

"Well, I believe the best course of action is to, in fact, not ignore this at this point. Instead, I think it best you ensure that she does not tell Arthur, or at least attempt such a course of action. If you ignore this, I fear that she will take action against you. I believe you should not tell her you have been communicating with Merlin, but instead try to act as if your loyalties lie elsewhere, perhaps with her and Arthur."

"How?" Cuilén asked hopefully.

"Well," Gaius hesitated. "Have you tried talking to Merlin after she told you this?"

"No," Cuilén shook his head.

"I think it best you ask him his opinion. If he has none, I will tell you mine. Now, you mentioned Merlin wanting you in move in here."

"Yeah, I talked to him yesterday, and he told me I could have his old chambers. He also said maybe I should become your new apprentice?" Cuilén looked quite hopeful, and Gaius raised an eyebrow. He sat there staring at Cuilén for a moment, before he sighed deeply and slowly shook his head.

"Cuilén, you must promise to follow through with whatever is asked of you, be it from Merlin or I, unless I think Merlin's course of action is a foolish one. You must confide in me before you follow through with anything Merlin tells you to do. Also, you must carry out all of Arthur's and Morgana's orders, alright?"

"Okay," Cuilén nodded after a moment. "I will."

Gaius looked about ready to continue, when there was a commotion at the door.

Percival burst into the small room carrying Elyan in his arms. The other knight was bleeding freely from what looked to be a sword wound.

"What happened?" Gaius stood up quickly, hurrying over and helping to lay Elyan on the table. Cuilén watched with wide eyes, his breath short.

"Accident in training." Percival explained laying Elyan down on the table.

Gaius examined the wound quickly. It looked as though a sword had punctured through the chainmail and hit the very side of Elyan's stomach.

"I need to get some medication, and then this needs to be bound quickly. Make sure he doesn't move around too much, it could open the wound more."

Cuilén stepped forward and sat down next to Elyan, a grimace on his face. Slowly, Cuilén put his hand on Elyan's shoulder, and almost immediately Elyan stopped thrashing around as much. Cuilén let out an almost silent whimper, and no one seemed to notice due to the fact Percival was helping Gaius to retrieve bandages and medicines. Cuilén closed his eyes for a moment, before Elyan let out short cry. Cuilén's eyes flew open and he was quick to hush Elyan. Gaius and Percival returned then, Gaius spreading a paste over the wound.

After the paste had been applied, Gaius told Percival to lift Elyan so that he could wrap the bandages around his stomach. Cuilén's shifted uneasily, however he kept a steady hand on Elyan's shoulder, and Elyan remained perfectly calm. After a moment, Gaius looked up at Cuilén, one eyebrow raised dramatically, however he didn't say anything until he was done tucking the bandages in.

"Alright, he must stay here to rest," Gaius told Percival. "Be careful, it seems Arthur is taking training much more seriously these days."

Percival left the room, and Gaius stared at Cuilén, who still had his hand on Elyan's shoulder.

"It's alright," Cuilén said quietly, his voice laced with something that almost sounded like pain. "Go to sleep, yes, there you go."

After a moment, Elyan's eyes blinked shut, and Cuilén retracted his hand from Elyan's shoulder. Almost immediately, Cuilén's features became more relaxed.

"Did I do alright?" Cuilén glanced up hopefully at Gaius. "Is that how to be a healer?"

Gaius stared open mouthed at Cuilén, before he sat down across from him and nodded his head slowly.

"Indeed, you do seem to possess the correct temperament for healing. Gwaine mentioned to me that you are an empath. I see now that he was correct. I have not seen someone with your particular, er, talents, for many years."

"What do you mean?" Cuilén asked.

"You felt something when you placed your hand on him, did you not?"

"Of course, didn't you?" Cuilén shrugged casually. Gaius shook his head. "No? But… But I've always been like that. Like, when people are sad, I'm sad. When people are happy, I'm happy. When someone is hurting, I have to make them better. Don't you?"

"I do strive to heal people," Gaius nodded. "However what you are describing is not standard. It is not exactly a form of magic, however it may skirt the line a little too close for comfort. Don't tell anyone else about this."

"But, but I want to heal people, more than anything!" Cuilén protested.

"Why, if it pains you to heal people?"

"Because if I don't, then they'll keep on hurting! I know that I can heal people, so I have to, you know?"

Gaius sighed deeply.

"Please, can I become your apprentice?" Cuilén begged.

"Well," Gaius looked into Cuilén's hopeful eyes, and he nodded once. "You must promise to be careful. One with your abilities must be wary of taking on more than they can handle. You must learn how to pull back. If someone is too injured, you need to know how to turn off your abilities."

"Why?" Cuilén looked shocked by this idea.

"Because, sometimes it just won't work. Sometimes it will be too much. Promise me that, Cuilén."

"Well, maybe," Cuilén sighed.

"Promise me."

"I guess I promise," Cuilén nodded slowly. "So I can stay here now?"

"Yes, alright," Gaius nodded, and a smile spread across Cuilén's face.

"Thank you! You won't regret this!" Cuilén declared happily, leaping to his feet, and Gaius smiled slightly. Cuilén continued speaking. "I'll go get my stuff! I can't wait until Gwaine finds out. Thank you Gaius!"

With that, Cuilén ran out of the room.

AN: Please review and tell me what you think :) More Merlin next chapter don't worry... And Arthur won't have a magic spell over him forever, but at present it does seem to be a problem... review!