Merlin had been living with his great Uncle Gaius for four years, ever since he had come out at fourteen and been badly bullied at school then attacked in a local park. He saw his mum not as often as he would have liked to have done, as she lived in the capital and Gaius lived in a small town in the country. They stayed in contact with skype everyday but it wasn't the same. Merlin and his mother Hunith had always been close after all the three of them were all the family they had. Now he had finished college and was going home until he could decide what to do. His mother owned and ran a small cake shop and café in Albion, the capital city. It was small and in one of the less popular areas, but it was her life. Which is why when she said she would move, Merlin had refused and instead had gone to his uncles alone. He now had enough qualifications to do his nurse training but didn't feel ready. He thought he would like to help his mum for a couple of years before starting his training. That way they could make up for some of the time they had lost.
Parts of the country's capital Albion were very nice but unfortunately the area his mother worked and lived was not the best and under control of one the toughest gangs. The area designated as Camelot was under the control of one family and had been for all of Merlin's life. The Pendragons ruled with an iron fist, but at least they kept it fairly safe for the normal occupants, unlike many of the other gangland areas. As long as the businesses paid their protection money and kept their noses out of the other less savoury areas of the Pendragons business they were left to life their lives. Uther Pendragon had come out of nowhere thirty years ago and wiped out all the opposition. Now evidently his son Arthur had taken over while Uther sat back in a less active role. Hunith paid her ten percent of profits to the family and counted herself lucky that at least they kept all the other thugs at bay. Some of the other areas controlled by the gangs were harder places to make a living, so Hunith considered herself lucky.
Merlin hated the idea of what he knew was extortion, but it had become a way of life in Camelot, and many other districts. The central government had started to ignore the poorer areas at the time the gangs stared to form. It suited them not to have to police such places and the extra taxes they would have collected wasn't considered worth the bother. Of course if you worked in the better areas the government still took business tax and everyone still paid income tax but everyone in the poorer areas relied on the families to protect them. Even the hospitals were poorer and less well staffed for those not fortunate to have money. The roads and other services were getting worse and worse as the top earners were filtering more and more of off the system. Merlin was upset at what was happening to his country, but like many of the young felt he had no voice. He was determined that if he did manage to train eventually he would return to a poorer area to work and help those that really needed it.
The Pendragons area was the biggest gangland area in Albion and covered approximately five square miles and had a population of about three hundred thousand people. Arthur Pendragon was setting out on his weekly check of the territory, although his men, and in particular his 'knights', as he called his lieutenants, ran the collections Arthur liked to get out and see and been seen. He would go to different streets each time he went out. He always cut a smart figure with his designer suits and signature red tie, his blonde hair and rugged good looks were as well known in the area as the Prime minister of Albion. His suit was carefully cut to hide the gun he carried and he had a knife strapped to one ankle and another gun to the other. He was also a fearsome hand to hand fighter, but preferred to allow his men to deal with the minor problems. Arthur had five lieutenants who he trusted above all others and about eighty men and women at his disposal at any one time. He also had his half-sister working with him, she dealt with any issues regarding women and acted as his second in command. She hadn't always had such a high position, Morgana did not get on with her father and at one time nearly split Camelot in two. But when Arthur took over the running of the 'organisation' he asked her to join him.
As they headed to Ealdor district, in a couple of large red cars, everyone in the area knew who had arrived. Arthur got out of the car flanked by Leon and Gwaine, two of his lieutenants and started to go to the businesses to collect their ten percent and talk to the owners. Arthur liked to think he cared for 'his people' and they could turn to him in times of trouble. The citizens certainly trusted him more than they had his father, on the whole he was respected as well as feared. Since he had taken control he had visited nearly all of the business's in turn. Today should see the last few receive their visit from him. This patch was overseen by Gwaine, who was the controller of this area and seemed to know everyone, after they had spent several hours talking to people Gwaine turned to his boss:
"I promised you the best coffee and cake in Albion and today you will get it" he gestured to a small shop baring a sign that simply said 'Hunith's'
Arthur walked in after Gwaine with Leon covering the rear. The shop was clean and homely with wonderful smells permeating the air. There were several tables and chairs for customers and the counter had a display of cakes and biscuits that would rival anything in Camelot, if not for variety then in appearance. Arthur noticed the furnishings were clean if dated. As the men walked in the two customers sitting at one of the tables got up and left, clearly not wanting to stay when they saw who had entered. There was a young man of about eighteen behind the counter, he was very slender and pale. As he watched the customers leaving he glared at the group who had just entered.
"Did you have to scare them off!" he demanded "They hadn't finished!"
Arthur smirked "Do you know who you are talking to?" he demanded
"Some arrogant prat and his goons" the youngster retorted.
Arthur looked at the lad in surprise "Do you know how to walk on your knees"
"No and I won't do it for you either." Came the sharp reply.
A pleasant looking woman came out from the kitchen and seeing who was in her shop and what her son had said she paled "Merlin apologise this instant." she looked at Arthur "Please Sir, forgive my son he only arrived back in Camelot this morning he hasn't lived here for several years. He meant no offence."
Arthur looked at the kindly woman "Oh but I think he did" he said dryly
Gwaine touched his arm "The boys got spunk Princess, he wasn't to know."
Hunith deciding to try to smooth things over spoke up "Please Mr Pendragon, pardon Merlin's manners" she clipped her son around the ear. "Would you like a drink and something to eat while I get your money?"
Gwaine grinned "I'll have some of your Apple cake Hunith" turning to his boss he added "Come on Arthur I promise you its food from the gods."
Hunith smiled at Gwaine "Maybe I could pay in apple cake?" it was clearly a long standing joke between the pair.
"I would take that you know I would" Gwaine grinned.
Arthur looked at the lady and her son, she at least was friendly however it was the son that caught his attention. His high cheekbones and stunning blue eyes along with the mop of unruly raven hair together with his general build and skin tone that made him of interest to Arthur. Even the rather large ears just added to the look of the lad, rather than distracted from it. To Arthur even his cheek was refreshing, not many had the nerve to back chat him. His gaze was open and predatory as he looked at the youngster. Merlin realising he was being stared at blushed and disappeared into the back of the shop. Although he stayed close, in case his mother needed help.
Arthur's sexual preferences were known among his friends, even if he didn't make a big thing of it himself. There had been a very public and loud breakdown in Arthur's relationship with his father when the older Pendragon discovered his only son was a homosexual. In the end Uther realising his son would not change had decided to hand over the family business to his son and retire, although he did still have a few fingers in the business. Uther had realised that a public disagreement with his heir would have allowed the surrounding gangs to take advantage. As long as he didn't have to deal with his son's 'deviances' as he called them, Uther was willing to turn a blind eye in order for the family to still have control over the largest and best run 'firm' in the country. Arthur had the occasional one night stand, but was discrete and selective in his dalliances. He was too well controlled to allow himself to be left open to problems, or as his sister had always called him 'Emotionally constipated.'
Hunith called to her son, and he made coffees and took a selection of cakes to a table whilst his mother went to get her protection money from its hiding place. She was always cautious as the collection days were well known and although rare it wasn't unheard of for thugs to try to get the money before the 'knights' did. Although when caught such people suffered the extreme penalty for their efforts. After dropping of the cakes Merlin scurried back to the kitchen. Arthur's gaze unnerved him and made him feel very uncomfortable. Leon and Gwaine looked at each other, Gwaine grinning "Like what you see Princess?" he drawled before adding. "He's a good lad and his mum is the best, leave him alone eh."
Arthur looked at Gwaine "I don't take orders from you! And leave off the Princess, at least in public" Gwaine had been calling Arthur Princess for years and the blonde had no illusions that it would ever stop, however he wouldn't tolerate it in public.
Hunith came up and handed Gwaine two envelopes and Gwaine one of them counted and wrote in his book "All there as usual Hunith" the other he left closed, with that he put his hand in his pocket and handed her a couple of notes "For the cake and coffee"
Arthur looked at the woman "Are you having any troubles at all?" he asked.
"No Mr Pendragon, times are hard but we have good neighbours" Hunith told him as she looked his straight in the eye. It was clear she was as fearless as her son. "My son is staying for a while so that will be a great help"
Gwaine grinned "How long? I thought he was going to train as a nurse" the knight clearly knew his patch and the people who lived and worked there.
"He is but wants to experience more of what he calls 'the real world' first. His tutors told him it would be best to wait a year or two rather than dive in. He also needs to earn a bit, a student nurse doesn't earn much" Hunith explained.
"Good on him, I'll keep my ear out to see whose hiring and let you know" Gwaine promised
Arthur listened but said nothing. Once he had finished his cake and coffee he smiled at Hunith "Gwaine was right for once, that was the best cake I have had for a long time."
Hunith blushed "Why thank you, I make them all myself"
After they had finished they were off to the next place. Once back in the car Arthur turned to Gwaine "You know the Emrys's well?"
"Yes all my life. Hunith is a good woman, brought Merlin up alone. I don't know what happened to her man. Merlin moved away when he was fourteen after being hospitalised in a homophobic attack, by Mordred and his crowd. Hunith has an uncle in the sticks, he to live went there and went to college afterwards as well. But you couldn't ask for nicer people."
Arthur eyebrow shot up "Did no one offer to sort it so he could stay?"
Gwaine snorted "You're joking! Your dad was in control then I suspect he knew and approved, you know his views on gays. No, they had no help, and I was too young to do anything."
Arthur gave a grimace. "I see you had a second payment, one of Uther's?" Arthur knew his father had several loans outstanding and the knights collected them at the same time as the protection money, but he took them himself still. Arthur knew about them but didn't handle any of the money, but he also knew they were at extortionate interest and would never be paid off.
Gwaine snorted, he had often protested at having to collect the money, especially if people were struggling. "Yeh, I've offered to help her pay it off but she won't let me."
Arthur wasn't surprised at the statement "What was it for?"
"No idea she won't tell me."
