Balinor Emrys was the billionaire head of a large International Corporation, he had always tried to keep his family well out of the public eye, his wife Hunith disliked fuss and wanted to live as normal a life as possible for herself and her family. But recently there had been difficulties that had resulted in Balinor taking drastic action. Someone had tried to kidnap his wife and daughter, Freya, when they were out shopping in London. They were now safely at home, shocked but unhurt, saved only by the quick action of their close protection officers.
As soon as Balinor heard the news he went straight home and started to arrange extra protection for his family and cover for his son, whether he liked it or not. Hunith had been reluctant about having a full team but had to agree in the end, his teenage daughter was pleased, the incident had frightened her badly. It was his eighteen year old son who was causing his father problems. Merlin hated the thought of having to have protection. Even though several of his friends at University already had close protection officers he had steadfastly refused.
Merlin was a fiercely independent boy, extremely clever and somewhat opinionated if crossed. He wanted to live as normal a life as possible refusing his parents offer of a rented house, staying instead in student rooms in the university campus. He also hardly touched his generous allowance, when he did it was invariably to help out his friends. He was a popular boy and not just because his father was wealthy, his kind manner and lack of airs and graces making him many friends.
When his father had recently raised the issue of protection, again, Merlin had hit the roof. "You have to be joking, I can't live a normal life with some muscle following me everywhere" he told his father and in the end his father had reluctantly given in. His son had been born with moderate haemophilia and both his parents tried hard not to over protect him, but it was hard.
But when Merlin was drugged and an attempt was made to smuggle him out his room at the university Balinor decided enough was enough, luckily the young man had only suffered slight bruising and a laceration as he fell in the commotion that resulted. He had been saved by the prompt action by a protection officer who was looking after another student and an in house security guard who had heard the commotion. Merlin was taken to hospital until the effects of the drugs he had been given wore off and to deal with the laceration. As soon as they heard of the incident with their son Balinor and Hunith flew straight to the hospital in Balinor's private helicopter.
Both of Merlin's parents were upset when they arrived at hospital, Merlin's face was bruised and he had a row of stitches across his forehead and into his hairline. He had received his treatment to stop the bleeding but the bruising was worse because of the delay. Hunith broke down when she saw him. "He has to have protection Balinor, I can't lose him!"
Balinor squeezed his wife's shoulder "He will love, like it or not! This stupidity has gone on long enough"
The minute his son was awake enough to listen, Balinor told his son that like it or not he was having protection. "I don't care whether you like it or not, I will not have you in danger. You will also move out of your student digs, you may have a couple of your friends move in with you but move you will" Balinor told him.
Balinor was a large man over six foot tall and muscular, he might spend his days in an office but that didn't stop him keeping fit, his manner alone gave him an air of being able to take care of anything. He was used to getting his own way, but the last few years had seen several clashes with his son. Merlin was slender and all limbs he had very little muscle mass, but he had a strong character, normally Hunith was able to intervene between the two of them. But not this time, Merlin had a stubborn streak inherited from his father, that was not always balanced but his kindness and gentle nature that his mother had given him. He hated his condition and the restrictions it placed on his life so had no intention of accepting more barriers to a normal life than he needed to.
Merlin continued to protest "No I won't! And you can't make me, cut of my allowance if you want, I have enough saved up to last me all I need. I am of age now you can't do anything about it. Just because you're some hotshot doesn't mean I have to live my life your way"
"You have no choice my boy and the university agree, it would put other people in danger so just accept it" Balinor told his son "I can't help what other idiots do but I have to protect my family."
Balinor had already been making enquiries and found out that a son of an old friend had become unexpectedly available. Arthur Pendragon was an ex SAS officer in his late twenties. Good looking and very fit. He and his team usually worked on short team contracts protecting visiting heads of state and diplomats but were free at the moment. Arthur was reluctant to take on a permanent contract but agreed to take Merlin's protection on short term until something more permanent could be arranged.
Arthur arrived at the hospital and Balinor spoke to him in a side room away from his son. As soon as Balinor met Arthur he approved, he was a good judge of character "I understand you have looked at the reports from the police about the attempted abduction of my family?
"I have Sir, your son needs protection but I understand he is reluctant." Arthur said "At his age we can only protect him well if he works with us. We won't spend our time chasing him."
"I realise that, you say he is reluctant, well that's one way of putting it, look my son is very gifted but has no sense of self preservation, never has. When he was six he jumped in the pool to save a cat even though he couldn't swim. But he is a very kind and good lad. He also has it in his head that he wants to prove he has done everything without the family name. He hardly spends any of his allowance and even worked in a charity shop while doing his degree, he wouldn't take a paid job saying he would be depriving someone who needed it, but he only used the money from his allowance that he would have earned. The only extra money he has spent has been to help others" Balinor explained, he was very proud of his son, even if exasperated at times. "I'm only telling you this so you understand he is a good lad but rebelling at the moment."
Arthur smiled it sounded like this wouldn't be the normal spoiled brat "He sounds a nice lad."
Hunith came into the room at that point. Merlin was being checked over by the doctors so she had left his side. "He is a darling, you know he is only eighteen and he is already half way through his PhD in Biomedical science" she said proudly.
"He as a sharp tongue and no respect for authority" Balinor huffed
"He does, like you he just feels that respect has to be earned and not just given" Hunith looked at her husband "You know he wouldn't like having protection"
She turned back to Arthur "Please don't think badly of our son, he wants so much to be normal, he doesn't realise even without us he would never be that. With his medical condition we worry even more about him, but he won't let that affect his life more than he has to. But at the same time he is incredibly loyal to his friends and would do anything to help them. Thank you for agreeing to protect him"
Arthur wondered if he had been right to take this on, he had always met previous clients before accepting the job and then only short term contracts. But he had a feeling about this one "It won't just be me Ma'am your husband has hired my whole team."
"It's Hunith please, and thank you anyway and the rest of your team"
Hunith left to go and phone her daughter who would want to know how her brother was, while Balinor and Arthur discussed Merlin's protection programme. Before the Close Protection Officer was taken to meet Merlin for the first time. "I understand you have worked with the same team for some time" Balinor said "And that you were all in the SAS before that, what made you leave?"
Arthur grimaced "I don't normally admit to the SAS I assume my father told you?" Arthur knew that Balinor knew his father. "I'm surprised he bothered."
"He did, you know he is proud of you, but he's too stubborn to back down and I assume you are the same, don't worry we have known each other for years" Balinor reassured him. "So if you don't mind me asking why did you leave the services? With what I hear about you, you were well suited to the post"
"The army was facing cuts and whilst my job was safe some in my team were having to leave or not being able to reenlist. At the same time I was offered a very lucrative and interesting contract so I decided to leave. My men are important to me"
Balinor nodded "I understand you always work together"
"Yes, hire us all or none, Leon is my second in command and his field is surveillance, Gwaine is unparalleled in unarmed combat and drives like a demon as well as a pilot both for helicopters and fixed wing, Lance is the computer whiz and first aid man, Percy is the muscle and also weapon's man although we all have gun licences in the USA and Canada. We all do all the jobs but it is always good to have specialists." Arthur paused "Lance and Leon have already gone over the apartment you have bought for your son, it will be well covered by security systems before he moves in and Percy is sorting out the stairwell and lifts. Then he will join me here. You do understand that we will be providing all the transport and equipment and that comes as an extra."
"I do, but as you're well set up and seem to have thought of everything I have no problems with it. I'm glad to see that, you boys work fast and efficiently. I hope I can eventually talk you into staying with Merlin, he will need good men around him as he gets older"
"Will he be taking over from you?" Arthur was curious. It was well known that he himself had disagreements with his own father when he had joined the army, and for other more personal reasons and as a result he had been disowned. Uther had wanted his son to follow in his footsteps.
"I'm not your father, I would like it, of course I would, but Merlin would be wasted in management. He is a very talented biochemist and I suspect he will work in that field and do very well. I am lucky that my daughter will probably choose to follow me, but if she doesn't all well and good, someone will be found. I believe my children should be happy first and foremost. I want to be there for my children, and it seems to be working, they're both open with me and my wife and we discuss many things, we don't always agree but I hope they can always tell me anything."
"I envy them, my own relationship with my father has always been difficult, as you know he disowned when I joined the army. I was surprised to hear he recommended me" Arthur said openly
"As I said Arthur Uther is proud of you, and what you have achieved, you should try to mend your relationship with him. I have known your father for forty years and he is one of the most difficult and stubborn men I have ever met, but he is your father" Balinor paused "Are you familiar with my son's medical condition?"
"I was told he has moderate haemophilia A and needs treatment if he is injured or has an episode of bleeding. I was also told for the most part he treats himself and wears an alert bracelet. We have all looked it up and obviously will need some input from yourselves."
"You will, his consultant is Gaius Wilson and is always available if needed. He is more than willing to speak to you all, Gaius also has a nurse specialist whose number you will be given. But Merlin is fully able to treat himself, unless of course he is incapacitated for some reason. His condition is another reason he is so damned independent. Come on let's go and introduce you to Merlin."
A couple of policeman were standing outside of the door to Merlin's room, no one was taking any chances until the private security was in place. Merlin's friends had arrived while Balinor and Arthur had been talking and as they approached the room they could hear Merlin's raised voice.
"I don't want to live like that" he could be heard protesting
"It's not that bad Merl, I get on alright with Geraint" said Merlin's friend Gilli. He was the son of a wealthy entrepreneur and had a protection Officer.
"I expect you will have a whole team like the Royals get, will we have to bow and scrape to you" Will one of Merlin's best friends asked sarcastically. He and Gwen, one of Merlin's other good friends, were scholarship students, he had known them for several years as they were from the same village. Balinor had funded their education along with several other local youngsters.
"I don't want a bodyguard! I want to be normal" Merlin protested "I just want to get on with my life"
The other young man sat at the table looked up at this point "Merlin you will never be normal, we are struggling to get our degrees and you are already on your PhD and you are the youngest of us all. You are a genius! Anyway you can't blame your father for being careful, especially because of your haemophilia"
"You Elyan are a traitor. I don't blame him, but I don't want it" The group looked up as Balinor and Arthur entered closely followed by Hunith who had returned from making her phone call.
It was Hunith that spoke first "Honey, I know you are cross with your father and me, but please for my sanity and peace of mind accept what we have asked. I don't ask you a lot and I do understand I don't like it either but I couldn't bare it if anything happened to you. Your father has already found a place for you and you may let your friends stay there with you. It will be ready by tomorrow, and don't ask me how your father found, bought and furnished a place in twenty four hours because I don't know, threw money at it I expect."
Balinor snorted at the last remark. "Your daughter is responsible for the furniture" he told his wife. He looked at Arthur "Give my daughter a good reason to spend money and it's surprising how quickly she can. What the good of having money if you can't spend it on your family anyway"
Arthur chuckled "I have a half-sister that can spend money like that"
Merlin looked up and scowled at the blond "So you're my babysitter are you!"
"You don't look like a baby to me" came the smooth rely "Look I know you aren't happy about this, but a very careful assessment was done and you are at high risk. If you don't care about yourself think of your family they clearly love you. Also you could be endangering your friends, they could get caught up in any further attempts and could get hurt." Arthur hoped that they could at least be pleasant to each other. If not the job wouldn't last that long.
"Look my Mum is already giving me a guilt trip so don't you start" Merlin said clearly in a huff. He knew he was being unfair to Arthur but he wanted to hit out at someone.
"Merlin don't talk about your mother like that!" Balinor admonished "And the sooner you accept the situation the better."
Merlin looked at his mum contritely "Sorry Mum"
"That's all right darling" Hunith smiled once more. "Your father made me feel the same way with all my new security, but Arthur is right about your friends."
Merlin's friend Gwen stepped forward, hoping to break the tension, holding out her hand "Hello my name is Gwen, Merlin is really a very nice person, normally"
Arthur took her hand and shook it he was just about to introduce himself when a voice spoke up from behind "What are you doing here! Not that it isn't great to see you"
The blonde turned round and smiled "Hello I wondered when I would see you"
Merlin spluttered as he looked at another of his friends "You know him?"
Morgana smirked at her friend "Well he is my half-brother but I don't get to see him since he and dad argued. You're looking good Arthur I hear you left the army"
"Yeh, in Personal protection now. Mr Emrys Jr is my new client"
Morgana looked at Merlin in surprise knowing his views "You have a protection officer? Is this about the attempted kidnapping?"
"Hello Morgana, yes and that's why he's having a protection officer like it or not" Balinor said
Morgan looked round seeing Balinor for the first time. "Hi, Mr Emrys I didn't see you there." Then she turned to her friend "Don't be like that Merlin, Arthur's is good and you can't blame your parents. It must have been scary. Anyway that will mean I can see him again." With that the green eyed girl hugged her brother. "It's been a long time, this does mean I will get to see more of you doesn't it?" she said hopefully.
Since Arthur had been disowned he hadn't seen his half-sister, and he missed her but it had seemed better to cut all ties. His father had remarried and Morgana was the result and was eight years younger than her brother. "Yes, but remember I will be at work"
Balinor looked at the group "Merlin I am going to take your mother to get something to eat"
Hunith went up and hugged her son "We will be back later when your friends have gone. I understand you can come home later"
Arthur turned to Merlin "The rest of the team are checking over the place before you move in. If you let me know who will be moving with you we will arrange everything for this weekend." He held out his hand once more.
Merlin took it and gave a firm handshake. Then he looked at his father "How big is this place? How many can I take with me?"
Balinor smiled "It has four large bedrooms, so if your friends are willing to share you could take up to six with you. Now we will leave you to it." Merlin's parents left happy that their son at least appeared to be accepting it Balinor blessed Arthur's comments about his son's friends. If anything would get him to accept protection it would be that.
Merlin looked at his friends "What about it? Rent free on Dad."
"We can't do that Merlin" Gwen protested "You do too much for us anyway"
"Look Gwen you will be doing me a favour, I can't be alone, you know I can't" Merlin said pleadingly. Although he admitted to being fiercely independent Merlin had always preferred to have company around him in case anything went wrong.
"I'm for it" Will said
"If you are sure I will come but we could do all the cleaning and such for the rent" Elyan added
Merlin looked at Gwen who looked unsure "Come on Gwen you have to"
"I will but only if Morgana does I won't be the only female" Gwen reluctantly agreed
"You're on" Morgana said "But Merlin does some of the cooking he's too good not to"
"Ok but we wash up" Gwen insisted
"How about you Gilli?" Merlin asked "I know you have a decent flat but you could you know"
"No thanks I'll stay where I am, I like my own company" Gilli smiled "I will visit you though"
Arthur looked at Merlin "I am here now so perhaps we can get to know one another. You can meet the others later"
Merlin huffed then gave a rueful smile "I suppose I have to give in don't I. What's more if you are Gana's brother she will kill me if I don't behave. Your sister's scary you know"
Morgana hugged her friend, "I am not!" she grinned "Not as long as I get my own way" she turned to the others "Come on let's get back and leave these two to bond" She kissed Merlin then her brother "Can we catch up later?"
"Sorry on duty, but don't worry I will be about for a while" Arthur told her. "I do want to catch up it's been to long"
Once every one had gone and Arthur had spoken to the police, who were going to stay until one of the others arrived, he sat down next to Merlin "Hi let's start again, my name is Arthur Pendragon and your father has employed me and my team to make sure you are safe."
Merlin grinned and Arthur could immediately see the difference, the boy in front of him was friendlier and nicer to know than the stroppy teenager he had first appeared. "Hi Arthur my name is Merlin Emrys, and I suspect my father has told you I don't really want protection, but I guess as I have no choice I will have to accept it for now"
"Sorry Merlin, I can see why you don't want it, but it would be foolish not to, with what has happened. Whether you like it or not you are a target." He smiled "But at least you get a nice place from it"
Merlin grimaced "He wanted me to have somewhere from the beginning but I wanted to live in, be more like everyone else" he paused "So what is it like?"
Arthur grinned "I'll take you there tomorrow and you can have a look, it's a penthouse flat, your father wanted somewhere we could protect. It's got a doorman to prevent strangers getting into the building and as you have the whole top floor and your protection team have the whole floor below. So we will know who is nearby. You even have a roof garden"
Merlin rolled his eyes "How did he manage that?"
"Don't tell him I told you but I think he has had it planned for a while, your father owns the whole building I think he even had it built. The top two floors have never been occupied." Arthur grinned "You know they care a great deal about you"
"I know" Merlin admitted "But I just wish sometimes we were more normal, do you understand?"
"I do, but then your friends wouldn't have got the help with their education so you can't have it both ways."
"You seem to know a lot" Merlin snapped once again.
"Merlin I had no intention of taking on a job like this without finding things out. I couldn't do my job otherwise. I and my team are the best and that's because we pay attention to detail" Arthur paused "You were lucky this time and I intend to make sure there isn't a second attempt."
Merlin closed his eyes and rested back on the pillows. Arthur noticed that the younger man's hands had a tremor to them. Then Merlin began to shake, Arthur recognised the signs of delayed shock of what had happened to him. "Look Merlin you have had a scary experience. Let me and my men help you, There is no shame in accepting help"
Merlin opened his eyes and sighed "Just don't tell my parents will you? they worry about me enough already, but yeh it was frightening, I didn't know what to do" he hesitated before continuing "I felt so strange, I don't know what they gave me or how when they came in my room I didn't know what was happening for a second, then when I did I was to woozy to do anything to stop them"
"From what the police found your coffee had been drugged, if you had drank it on the way back to your room they would have most likely succeeded but as appears you didn't touch it until got back they had to try and get you out"
"I normally sit under the trees and drink it, I have a gap between sessions but we had a free session as the tutor was ill so I decided to go back and do some work."
"Whoever was responsible clearly knew your routine. Look rest up, your father says you are going back with him tonight so make the most of it. When Percy gets here later I'll introduce you" Arthur sat back and let his mind work over what he had learnt about his new charge. Once again he was surprised at how much he had taken to the abrasive boy, but there was something really likeable about him and Arthur felt he wanted to protect him.
At the penthouse Arthur's team were working hard. Leon and Lance were rigging up the electronic surveillance and using one of the rooms in the downstairs apartment to house all the cameras. Every room and corridor was covered with both visual and audio pickup although it wasn't planned to 'spy' on the inhabitants without their knowledge. The lift was altered so it didn't go to the two top floors without a special key, making it impossible for the other building occupants to go higher than they should. The stair way now had coded doors to prevent unauthorised entry.
Percy and Gwaine covered the roof garden. Making sure it wasn't overlooked from any angle. And that they were happy with the security. Then they went down to the underground garage. A section had already been set aside for the vehicles for the top floors. And it was a fairly simple matter to have it sectioned of so the cars could not be tampered with. Remote cameras also covered that area. Gwaine's 'baby's' were already in residence. An armoured BMW X5 and a Landrover L322 sport that would seat seven. As well as a couple of motorbikes. The team had invested in all the best equipment, so they got the best jobs and it had paid off. They had used all their joint savings and lump sums from when they left the services. But it did mean they could charge top rates.
Gwaine made sure that the two extra bags Lance wanted in each vehicle were safely stored. They contained Merlin's emergency drugs in case needed. Each car already had a first aid kit in place. All of the men had been told what to do and the procedures by Gaius Wilson who had already seen them all. Balinor Emrys was leaving nothing to chance. Once everything was almost up together Percy took a motorbike and left for the hospital. When Arthur and Merlin were ready to leave hospital Gwaine would take the car and collect them.