Chapter Text
Seneschal of the king.
Merlin felt his head feeling muffled. He couldn't believe he had been rewarded this way.
He had always felt…taken for granted.
As if it didn't matter what he had done for Arthur, he would always be second in his eyes.
Second to the knights, second to Gwen, second to his nobles, and second to his uncle.
He had felt as if his loyalty didn't matter in the long run, because Arthur had other people to ask for advice who had his loyalty.
Merlin was of no use to his king, not in that way, not except in private, a secret to be kept hidden and never told to anyone.
And now…
“The seneschal is the king's closest advisor.” Geoffrey was explaining to him, tasked by Arthur to instruct him on exactly what his new role would entail.
“ I already made the mistake of throwing you into an important new position without any kind of indication. ” Arthur had told Merlin when the raven-haired boy had expressed his confusion. “ I won't make the same mistake twice. ”
“I didn't even know such a position existed.” Merlin murmured. “Did Uther ever use a seneschal?”
Geoffrey pursed his lips, before saying. “King Uther has not shown the same trust that his son has towards his advisors. Not that I think it's too foolish. Many of Uther's allies have repeatedly attempted to seize power over the years." Then, with a sigh, he added. “He had a seneschal once. It didn't end well.”
Merlin didn't ask anything else, Geoffrey's expression inviting him to remain silent.
“Your first duty is to the house. You are responsible for the each day management of the House's properties and resources. So you will have to supervise the staff, manage the household finances and above all organise the banquets and ceremonies.”
Merlin grimaced, before blinking and asking. “Wait, does that mean I don't have to serve?”
"No." Geoffrey replied. “You are above the rest of the staff, which is also your second duty. You will supervise and direct household staff, i.e. cooks, servants and other service members. There are a series of rules that each of them is required to respect. It's your duty to make sure they do." Then, with a warning look, Geoffrey added. “This doesn't mean abusing your control over them, but taking charge of what their needs might be. If a servant is unfit to serve with a family, it is your job to establish and replace him.”
“No pressure, then.” Merlin murmured, well aware that he would need someone to protect him, especially during his early days in Camelot.
“There are also several logs you will need to keep tabs on.” Geoffrey said. “That of food resources, since it is your job to keep the supply under control and establish rations for the people, and also to ensure that events, such as banquets, parties and other ceremonies, respect the expectations and protocol of the nobility .”
Merlin grimaced. That was something he already did, as Arthur's servant.
It was nice to be able to blame Uther for that too.
“You will be King Arthur's trusted advisor, and from this moment on, you will also have a seat at the Round Table.”
Merlin smiled. He had only sat once at the Round Table, when Arthur had first gathered his most faithful. And then, he had always been forced to serve behind Arthur's back, away from his counsel.
Now, finally, he felt seen .
“Also, in the event of war, you will also have legal or military responsibilities.” Geoffrey informed him. “You will be able to enforce the law in Arthur's lands in his absence and lead the troops in case of conflict.”
Merlin's expression turned fearful. He could advise Arthur, sure, but lead the troops without him ?
It was impossible .
Merlin nodded quickly when Geoffrey asked if he understood everything.
Then, he collected all the books and scrolls containing protocols and regulations to follow and to be followed, and disappeared from the library.
***
“Gaius, this is too much!”
Merlin had been dragged by George towards his new rooms, not far from Arthur's (if Merlin remembered correctly, those had been the same rooms occupied by Sophia several years ago), and had begun to read all his duties in as much detail as possible.
And, after realising what he actually had to do, he had rushed to Gaius' chambers to complain to his mentor.
“I've already been Arthur's unofficial advisor, I mean, I tried to advise him as best I could, but did he ever listen to me? No, he did not! " Merlin was pacing back and forth, looking like he was on the brink. “How can I even think about managing the properties and resources of the entire Castle ? I don't even know how much all people really need to eat, and I don't agree at all with the fact that a family of servants have to share half a bowl , while a single nobleman has an entire banquet for every single meal! It's not a necessity ! Many times they eat so little of everything , so as to make it unusable!” Merlin ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it, before saying. “And how can I take care of all the staff! Do you have any idea how many people are needed here?”
Gaius shook his head, watching his protégé's pace increase.
“Many! Too many ! I cannot know in detail all their abilities, or what noble foreigner of whom I can know absolutely nothing they may serve to be safe ! I am sure that no one will ever ask every noble his opinion on servants and whether he prefers the silent ones, the efficient ones, or the silent, efficient and invisible ones!” Merlin exclaimed. “And make everyone respect the code of conduct? I mean, they should learn it first , but they don't even know how to read , Gaius, they don't know how to read, not all of them and they certainly don't have the time to start learning to read, because they have to serve the nobles who have all the time in the world to do nothing at all!"
Gaius opened his mouth to speak, trying to point out to Merlin that he had done these things before, successfully , when Merlin continued speaking, moving on to another of his new tasks.
“I also have to keep supplies under control, establish rations for the people! How can I get another restriction passed against them, when I know t hey are already starving ? But I'm sure that, in times of famine, I will only be forced to do so!”
“Merlin…”
“And I can enforce the law when Arthur isn't here.” Merlin said. “This is practically becoming a member of the family, you realise? It gave me power even over those nobles on the Council! And I can lead the troops in case of conflict!” Merlin gave a wry laugh. “ I can lead the troops in case of conflict ! I don't know anything about fighting or anything! I suggested advice to Arthur, sure, but not decisions about the actual war !”
“ Merlin !” Gaius raised his voice, interrupting Merlin just as the boy had caught his breath again.
“Merlin, my dear boy, these are things you already do.” Gaius said, softening his tone when he saw the panic in his boy's eyes.
Merlin had not been raised to be the prince's personal servant, or the king's, and he had not been raised to be the court seneschal of a castle.
Gaius had no doubt that his boy would succeed.
As he had just pointed out to Merlin himself, those were already tasks that Merlin accomplished.
He was only afraid that his protégé would panic and try to do too much too quickly .
“No one expects you to lead a war.” Gaius said. “I would like to remind you when you managed to suggest to Arthur a different way of proceeding against Queen Annis?”
“He followed Agravaine's suggestion, in that case.” Merlin muttered grumpily.
“And then he realised that compassion would get him where he wanted to go, and he would get there by following your advice .” Gaius replied. “He made a mistake as a young king seeking the approval of a family member and, on top of that, related with his mother . The only bond he had left with her. We cannot deny that it matters.”
“Gaius…” Merlin protested.
“You came here because of my bond with Hunith.” Gaius reminded him. “Would you have trusted me otherwise?”
Merlin shook his head. He would have been too afraid of what Gaius could do to him, what they could do to his mother.
“Arthur has made mistakes due to too much trus t.” Gaius said. “And it's a mistake I'm sure he won't make again. He is no longer a man driven by the desire to please, Merlin, but a strong king capable of making the right decisions. Or, at the very least, making decisions on his own.”
Merlin nodded.
“Concerning your duties,” Gaius said. “I'm sure Arthur doesn't expect you to become what the nobles want you to be. He chose you because you are Merlin and he knows what you are like. And think that you deserve this kind of recognition and power over others, confident that you will not abuse it .”
Merlin nodded again.
“Now, instead of complaining to me about everything you're afraid of having to do, why don't you find Arthur and try to figure out what you actually have to do?” Gaius proposed.
"It's a good idea." Merlin nodded. “I… Thank you, Gaius. I'll go and see Arthur."
Gaius smiled when Merlin walked out the door, then sighed when he saw him come back.
"Yes, Merlin?"
“Do you think he gave George to me as a servant out of revenge?” Merlin asked, frowning.
Gaius laughed. “I would ask Arthur that too, Merlin.”
“Right, good idea.” Merlin nodded. “I'm going now.”
Gaius shook his head.
Merlin had come so far from that young boy who had entered his chambers years ago.