Arthur Pendragon walked into his office to be met by his sister Morgana. Not the sort of thing he wanted to happen first thing on a Monday morning.
"Arthur I have found you a new PA and I don't want you upsetting his one. He's a real poppet and far too good for you really. In fact if you dare upset him I'll swop you for George." His sister could be frightening any time of the day but at nine o'clock it was just too much.
There was no way Arthur wanted George as his PA, the man had no sense of humour and was supercilious in the extreme. Just the sort of PA his sister disserved.
"So where did you get this one from?" came the sarcastic reply.
"He applied for a job downstairs as secretary for Gwaine but I saw him first. He's far to qualified for that post and Gwaine would have corrupted him in no time. Where as you will just drive him nuts." Morgana glared at him. "You've got through three PA's already this year, and it's only August, if you're not careful someone will have you up for bullying."
"I am not a bully I just can't stand incompetence. So who is this pagan of virtue?" Arthur gave up his sister was in charge of personnel so he hadn't have much choice.
"He's going through his desk now, come on and I'll introduce you." Morgana walked out of the office obviously expecting Arthur to follow.
Under his breath Arthur muttered "he should come to me not the other way round." But he followed is sister anyway. Plenty of time to sort that out later once he had met the man.
As he went out of his office he spotted a young man sitting at his PA's desk. He only looked about eighteen. Although he must be older to have the experience his sister claimed. He looked like he would be about the same height as him and had a mop of unruly black hair and startling blue eyes. The new PA made no effort to stand and they approached.
Morgana quickly introduced them "Merlin this is my brother Arthur Pendragon, Arthur this is Merlin Emrys your new PA."
Merlin still didn't stand but held is hand out towards Arthur. "Pleased to met you Mr Pendragon, and thank you for the job." He smiled at his new boss.
"It's customary to stand when you met your superiors." Arthur didn't bother to offer his hand. "Where did you drag him from Morgana? He clearly has no manners, hardly suitable as a Vice Presidents PA. Send him down to Gwaine." With that he started to turn back to his office.
"You ill mannered Pratt, I don't suppose it dawned on you that I might not be able to stand! Don't worry I wouldn't work for such an ill mannered and unobservant clot pole for all the money in China." The voice was scornful and angry.
"Arthur! I'm sorry Merlin. I know my brother is difficult but this is bad even for him." Before she could say more Merlin came out from behind his desk and started to head for the lift.
"Please Mr Emrys wait a minute. Arthur come back here and apologise this minute." Arthur turned and was just about to tell his sister to get lost when he saw that Merlin was in a wheelchair. His month fell open.
"Christ, why didn't you warn me!" he glared at Morgana before following the young man. "I'm sorry, my sister didn't tell me. Please accept my apologies."
Merlin turned round "I suppose you couldn't see I wasn't in your office chair? To self important to use your eyes I suppose. Don't worry you won't see me again." With that the lift doors opened and he pushed himself into the lift and the doors closed behind him.
"Arthur go after him you idiot!" his sister yelled at him.
"You go. You're the idiot! Why didn't you tell me?" With that Arthur walked back into his office and slammed the door.
By the time Morgana had got to the main door there was no sign of the angry young man. The receptionist looked at Morgana "If you're looking for the man in the wheelchair he's gone he turned left as he went out of the door.
Morgana went outside and looked up the pavement and could see Merlin going towards the city. She followed him and caught up with him a hundred yards up the road. "Mr Emrys I'm so sorry, please come back with me I can offer you a different post. I can't apologise enough for my brother."
The younger man stopped and looked up at Morgana "Miss La Fey why would I wish to work for a company whose Vice President has that attitude? I'm sorry you felt the need to come after me goodbye."
"Please Mr Emrys reconsider, would you at least come back and let me explain and get you a coffee." She gave the cross man one of her best smiles.
"Aright, my lift has gone anyway I thought, I would be here all day. I've never kept a job for such a short time before." He grinned. "You can't be responsible for your brother after all."