CHAPTER 4 : AS A NEW STUDENT LEARNING THE ROPES
They had been in the pub for the longest time, just talking and catching up on things. Arthur had mentioned that his father was off to Australia. Merlin asked if he had ever been and he had nodded.
"A couple of years ago during the summer break, I had the opportunity to go with my father. That is how I have done most of my travelling, tagging along after my father and being entertained by various executives and their families.
"Did you meet any interesting people?"
"Yes, actually I did. Most of the sons and even daughters were not overly impressed that I was the owner's son but were quite happy for me to tag along with them. One of the most daring things I've ever done, was actually fly to New Zealand when my father thought that I was busy socializing in Melbourne.
"Greg's father had an air charter business and his girlfriend was studying in Aukland so he was hopping a flight there for the weekend and invited my to join him. It was great and after all the golden colours of Australia, N.Z. was really refreshingly green. If I remember it took around three hours and Greg left me at the airport saying that he'd see me there on Tuesday morning at eight o'clock.
"Didn't see hide or hair of him until we met up at the airport that Tuesday. Mind you, by the smile on his face he'd had one hell of a weekend."
"He just dumped you in Aukland?"
"Yes…well not really dumped, I had some cash and my card, so I settled in for a luxurious weekend far away from the all-seeing eyes of my father. Actually, I enjoyed myself as the people are very friendly and I had no trouble finding things to do. It was rather relaxing doing what I wanted when I wanted and not being ushered around like a school kid by well-meaning directors."
"I don't know that I would like to be dumped in a city that I didn't know."
"You would manage fine. Get a central hotel and check the city attractions to decide where you want to go. It's surprising how many people are willing to help you if you get lost and sometimes they're the ones who have the best information on what you should be seeing. I went farther afield as I managed a day tour to Rotorua and the glow worms in the Waitomo caves. Not likely to forget that."
Merlin smiled; Arthur's life experiences made him feel rather conscious of his lack of travel experience and he realised that maybe his just getting out of school might account for that.
He didn't begrudge Arthur any of his travels, nevertheless he was envious of the things which he had experienced. It must be wonderful to have a head so full of information that if someone said glow worm you could automatically relive your experience.
Arthur made him laugh as he explained that the travelling which they did by boat through the worm grotto was interesting until some ladies started to worry about being pooped upon.
"The guide assured us that in this stage all the insects did were mate, lay eggs and die. No foraging in the local forests!"
Merlin grinned, "Did you see anything of the Lord of the Rings set?
"Yes, we saw that the same day, you would have loved it, the day was sunny and the best thing for me was that the valley borders on a spectacular range of snow covered mountains. That alone really impressed me. Maybe one day we will go there together."
Merlin was conscious that he was experiencing a warm glow just from Arthur's saying the words…one day and together. He hoped that it might be but Arthur's lifestyle and experiences so far surpassed his that he worried he might one day tire of him. For a moment he felt sick, the intensity of his feelings was so strongly tempered at the moment with insecurity.
Arthur must have noticed as he glanced at his watch and said, "I think you've had a busy day, do you want another drink? Come on I've bored you enough with my travels but one more thing, I think those few days off gave me the energy to continue the rest of the trip with my father. Just how many Board Rooms can you visit in five weeks?"
"Did he ever find out about your trip?"
"No but it was touch and go as immigration is very strict in NZ and my passport had been stamped in Aukland and two weeks later when we finally made it to Christchurch, we had gone through customs together and my father had taken both of our passports and I thought, 'Oh, shit how will I explain the earlier customs' stamp.' It was stupid keeping it a secret. I just about died when the immigration chap said, 'Welcome, Mr. Pendragon, I hope you enjoy your time in NZ.' and looking at my passport, seeing the stamp, he said warmly, 'Welcome back, Mr. Pendragon!'
Merlin smiled, he loved hearing all the funny happenings in Arthur's life. His father didn't sound that bad; however he had heard otherwise from Laurence who had called him a real bastard in taking Arthur out of Magdalen and shipping him off the Bruxelles when he had had his heart set on first completing a degree at Oxford.
"Couldn't he just have refused?" he had asked Laurence.
Laurence had smiled indulgently saying, "No one argues with Mr. Pendragon not even his son. If you ever have the misfortune of meeting him, you'll understand what I mean."
Merlin hadn't liked the sound of that and had decided he would stay as far away from Arthur's father as was physically possible.
"You're miles away…!" Arthur's voice said and he came back to earth and shrugged his shoulders. "Well, if you're ready let's go or do you need to visit the Little Boy's Room first."
Merlin started laughing and Arthur took that for a no. It reminded him of his mother as she had always used that phase before he had left the house when he was youngster and he used to retaliate by reminding her to use the Little Girl's Room. They hadn't used it for years but the warm feeling of caring which it represented made him want to give Arthur a little hug. He decided it was so much nicer that using the word bog!
Leaving the pub and making their way back to the college, they passed under the Bridge of Sighs and Arthur stopped and said, "First kisses in Oxford are always memorable…may I?"
Merlin felt himself blush and he nodded. Arthur put his arms on his shoulders and very gentle let his lips gloss over Merlin's forehead. Merlin stayed perfectly still and then moved a fraction of an inch towards him and Arthur kissed him again but this time it was a real kiss on the lips and Merlin knew that he would always remember the kiss and for the longest time whenever he saw Hertford Bridge he thought of Arthur's lips on his.
Arthur pulled him closer and as Merlin rested his chin on his left shoulder, Arthur whispered, "May this be the first of many!"
Merlin was heady with emotions, but Arthur had pulled back and with his arm around his waist was ushering him towards the street lights. "I'm only going to be here for a few days and then I'm off to London so, keep yourself safe and enjoy yourself. It will get easier as days go by I promise. By Christmas, you will feel as though you have always lived here and everything will be second nature."
Never having experienced walking with anyone who had their arm around his back, Merlin decided that it felt so protective and that he would quite happily have frozen time so that he could always remember it. The strangest feeling was that it seemed right, nothing out of the ordinary, just Arthur being the slightest bit possessive but he decided in a most adorable way.
A little while later, Arthur said, "Once Laurence is back, we will plan to have supper." He smiled as he said, "I think it would be against your interests if I commandeered your every waking moment, so my absence is intentional. I have not, nor will I ever forget about you," he paused and turned to face Merlin, "you believe that don't you?" Merlin nodded. "You have my number and if anything important comes up, let me know if you think I could be of help.
"Remember the porter is an important ally, he is the security on your hall and has responsibilities such as the right to refuse entry to non-residents. He will also be responsible for your mail and getting any parcels to you. He is the man to go to if something isn't working in your room. He's a bit like a policeman and he can report any bad behaviour to the Dean of Conduct. He is also the all important keeper of the keys. He has copies of all the college residence keys in his lodge but if you lose the one you are given, you will have to pay for a replacement. So, hold onto it… Porters are on twenty-four seven so you are really never alone in the building."
They walked hand in hand towards the college letting go of each other's hand as they reached their destination.
Merlin glanced at his watch it was now quarter to eleven, where had the last five hours gone? He knew he wouldn't sleep so he grinned when Arthur whispered "Sleep tight!"
…and answered cheekily, "As if…"
Arthur managed to say, "A man after my own heart!" before the Porter on duty arrived and Arthur said, "Hope the next few days work out well," then he turned and walked away.
Merlin called after him, "Goodnight, thanks for the meal." Arthur half turned and waved.
The porter who introduced himself as Dunn said, "May I have your name, Sir?" Merlin gave it to him and the man continued, "Ah yes, here you are…Mr. Emrys. Do you have your key?" Merlin again nodded. Dunn smiled, "One last thing, do you remember the way to your room, Sir?"
Merlin said that he did and asked if his roommate had returned.
Dunn checked the log and said, "Not yet, he still has a few minutes. Problems at the beginning of the year is that students get lost and can't find their way back in time. I remember one student in my first year on the job, arriving closer to two o'clock in tears. He'd misplaced his phone, he was exhausted and completely lost until a couple of graduate students took pity on him and guided him back here."
"I'll remember to keep my phone handy or at least a map in my pocket," Merlin said with a smile before adding, "Good Night, Mr. Dunn!"
"See you tomorrow morning, Sir!"
Merlin nodded and as he climbed the stairs thought, 'This is an opportunity not to be wasted and I have to show those who felt that I was capable that their judgement was correct.'
He let himself into his room and looked out the window at the other buildings around the quad. Strange to think that in a few days he would know the name of each of them and probably have even been in them.
Sitting on the bed, he phoned his mother. "Hi, Mum, I hope this is not too late but just got back to my residence."
"Merlin love, no time is ever too late. If I'm asleep, you'll have to wait for me to get my wits about me, that's all. Did you have a nice time with Arthur? That was so kind of him to meet you at the station."
"He showed me around and we went for supper." A flash of the Bridge of Sighs crossed his mind. He smiled to himself as he said, "I enjoyed it. He seems to know everyone here. Found out that he'd been to Australia and New Zealand. He's returning to London so I won't see him again for some time. He has his own place which he shares with Laurence so I doubt that I will be bumping into him that often. Did you get the photos? They are of the room I'm in for a couple of days until the one allocated to me is free. My bed is the one near the window."
Hunith said, "Thanks for the photos, however shouldn't you be getting to bed as tomorrow is going to be a busy day. What time do you start?"
"We have breakfast at nine followed by meetings with lecturers and professors. By the way, when I get into my own room, I'll send you better photos. Honestly, Mum, we have twenty-four hours security on our residence. With porters at the lodge door who are like policemen and Keeper of The Keys all rolled into one. I've met two of them and they both seem very pleasant. Security here seems very tight! I'll phone you tomorrow probably late in the afternoon. Say hello to Gaius. Bye!"
Hunith hung up, saying afterwards, "God, please keep him save, he's very precious…"
-0-0-
Merlin decided to scout around to find the toilets. In the morning, he'd know where to go to have a shower, he found it one room over. He wondered if in his own room, he'd have to share a bathroom and a lounge referred to in the college literature as sets.
In his mind, Merlin replayed the kiss. Had he done it all right or had Arthur secretly laughed at his inexperience? He decided it was better to know too little and then he could learn what it was that Arthur liked. He trusted Arthur, it was a strange feeling as if he had been in his life since the beginning.
He realised that the fact that Arthur had walked him back to the college with his arm around him meant that maybe his response to the kiss hadn't been completely ineffective.
Gawaine had tried to give him some hints about kissing but they usually ended up laughing instead. Gawaine would tell him how wonderful it was and then Merlin would make some crack about Gawaine's love life and the two of them would collapse laughing hysterically. They had been so immature but Gawaine had put it down to the blind leading the blind. "Maybe the next time I see you, you will have all the answers," he'd teased.
Merlin couldn't settle so he turned over to look out the window. He decided that he would play it by ear. He wasn't ignorant about relationships just lacking in any experience. Most people find people to love and care for and he hoped that he was going to be in that group; he didn't want to be on the periphery of society, the odd man out.
Then he decided maybe a happy odd man out was better than being in a relationship which was noxious. Their next door neighbour but one came to mind. You couldn't ask for a nicer woman than Mrs. Rosie Delaney, she'd been married sixty odd years and had poured out all her love for her husband who had treated her like shit. She'd stuck with it and kept house for him, cared for him and loved him till the day he'd up and died.
His mother used to refer to her as a saint but one day he'd heard Gaius question whether she would have been better off by herself. His Mum had said, "What God has joined together…!"
Gaius had smiled and said, "The man's a cold fish, he has no friends or interests and couldn't show love if his life depended upon it."
He smiled to himself and later he'd asked his mother why she thought Mrs. Delaney had married such a cold man and she said that she was sure that when they were courting they'd been in love but the war affected people differently.
Merlin's mind was working overtime, he jumped to other relationships and worried that if Arthur really loved him now might something happen and he would turn into a cold man. The thought of being with an Arthur who no longer liked him was upsetting.
He heard some clock strike one and decided that he should really think of less upsetting things and decided to imagine what Arthur's flat was like and whether he would ever be invited over there.
His roommate never appeared.
-0-0-
He woke to bells chiming, he was still alone in the room and it was seven o'clock. He knew that there were hardly any students around but he decided to get ready for breakfast. He traipsed down the corridor with his towel and showered. He met no one. He decided to wear slacks with his navy sweater. They were familiar clothes and he felt at home in them.
Around half past eight, there was a knock at the door and he heard a key in the lock and his roommate arrived, flustered and out of breath. "Can you wait for me as I have no idea where I should be just that I have to be there at nine o'clock. It's breakfast. I think!"
Merlin said, "That right! My name is Emrys, Merlin Emrys."
The red-head nodded at him, "Fordham, Benjamin but I only really answer to Ben. Where's the bathroom?"
"Two doors down on your left." Merlin was surprised, American by his accent.
"Thanks!" and his roommate disappeared as quickly as he had arrived.
Merlin walked to the window but couldn't see the building which Arthur had pointed out as the Dining Hall. He pulled out his phone and found the map. Next thing the door opened again and Ben came in. He threw his clothes on the bed and grabbed a clean shirt then said, "Ready?"
Merlin thought, 'Ready? I was ready before you even arrived…' but he said, "Let's go like the intrepid explorers we are."
They passed one of the porters outside their building and the man smiled and said, "Dining Hall?" They both nodded and he said, "Over there to you left. Remember if you get lost just ask a friendly face and they'll put you on the right track."
"Thank you, Drake," Merlin said recognising him from yesterday.
A voice beside him as they walked away said, "Well, he's a hell of a lot friendlier to you than he was to me, it was like the Inquisition when I arrived."
Merlin just smiled as he had no intention of getting on the wrong side of the porters after Arthur had spoken so highly of them.
-0-0-
As they opened the door to the building, a notice with an arrow directed their group to a specific table, two female students were present with an older man. He glanced at his list and asked, "Emrys, Fordham or Quilley?"
Merlin acknowledged that he was Emrys and Ben said, "Fordham!"
The man introduced himself as Marcus Peters, "Start eating...I'm your contact person for the next three days. You'll report here for breakfast each morning at eight, you get a lunch break and keep going until five. You are free from five until eleven when you have to be back in your rooms. Don't worry about anything as it's just a week during which we will decide on your strengths and match you to the tutor who will be best for you. You'll receive a more detailed schedule later on.
"On today's schedule, we have a tour of specific areas and a meeting with Professor Ellis who is the mastermind behind this proposed accelerated degree."
From his emphasis on the word proposed, Merlin wondered if maybe Peters was not as sure of the programme as Dr Ellis.
Nevertheless, the man in question smiled and became more affable, "Don't look so worried, the best outcome will be that you complete your degree in what we believe might be just over three years and the worst is that you take four."
He looked around the table and said, "Well, looks like Quilley isn't joining us, so if you have all finished, let's go..."
-0-0-
For Merlin, the morning flew by in a blur of buildings and recommendations. They were advised that at least for the first month they sat together for breakfast and lunch.
Merlin was interested to learn that for the three terms, they would arrive back early and only the end of year Trinity term would see them leaving with the rest of their year. The correct names for the eight-week terms were Michaelmas which he was about to start, Hilary after Christmas and then Trinity after Easter. He'd also worked out that the extra time his group would commit to the course was an additional fifteen percent per term covered by extended hours and shorter term breaks. He wasn't daunted and was ready to start his tutorials.
He'd found the lecturers and professors who welcomed them had been very positive. They had not been made to feel like guinea pigs even though Ben felt otherwise.
Tina whom they had learned was from Hong Kong said, "It's a test programme. Dr. Ellis explained we could opt out into the regular courses without any penalties."
Ben felt that his days at Oxford would be adversely affected by the tight schedule. He was not happy that his term time would be extended.
"Why did you apply and go through with the secondaries, if you didn't want to do the course?" Beth asked.
Ben shrugged but didn't answer and just the way he seemed resigned to it made Merlin think there was parental pressure involved. He'd learned later that Ben was from California and nothing pleased him. He hated the weather, the food, the traffic and had expected a larger room with en-suite and a freer rein. It was his first time away from his parents and he wanted freedom not restrictive hours. Merlin was to later learn that his girlfriend had moved with him to Oxford and was living in a B&B, trying to get a job and complaining that she never saw him.
Looking back, Merlin remembered that one Monday, Ben never arrived. He was later to find out that he had bailed out not only from Magdalen but also Oxford. Merlin let his mind fantasise that maybe Ben and his girl friend were shacked up in an isolated cottage in the wilds of Scotland living a life of pleasure but then remembering Ben's reaction to the rainy weather, he decided that they had probably taken off for Spain.
When he finally told Arthur about it, he had laughed and said something about it being all right to let a part of your anatomy lead the way but that you should also take along your brain. He'd winked at Merlin and Laurence who was also present had just raised his eyes to heaven before asking if someone else was going to take his place.
"I doubt it, they would spent all the hours of the day trying to catch up unless there is someone who's been away for medical reasons and has already completed half of a year."
-0-0-
After the first three weeks which raced by, Merlin began to feel less lonely in Oxford. Their group was slowly coming together. Quilley had arrived and turned out to be a month younger than Merlin and his absence was due to a death in the immediate family. It would be some time before Merlin learnt that it had been his younger brother and that his father was also an Oxford professor.
Merlin had been moved to room 2-6 which was at the end of the corridor. Not only was it double aspect but also had an en-suite. His scout told him that it was one of the most popular rooms rented during the holidays. It overlooked the deer park and the River Cherwell, from the other window he could see the quads and the tower of Magdalen chapel.
Academically everything was progressing well as it all fell into place. The regular students were back and Merlin was now on nodding terms with some of the others in his hall.
He felt less alone in Oxford, however, he was still waiting for Arthur to contact him. Laurence had arrived and delivered his suitcase and boxes. His mother had added a few things and he smiled when he found them, carefully wrapped, each with a little note. Homesickness flooded over him but he managed to laugh at some of the things she'd included and it helped diminish the feeling.
Laurence took him out for supper to an Indian place that Tuesday, telling him that Arthur was due to arrive at the end of the week. "He'll probably be in touch as he's been in the States. Said that it was far enough away that his father wouldn't bother him."
Merlin smiled, "I've heard from Gawaine regularly and he's settling in happily."
"I think deep down he wishes you were still in Liverpool. For the last few weekends, he's been moping around the house. How about you?"
"Well..." he paused, "it was hard. On the first day, Arthur picked me up at the station and then we had supper and he walked me home and then he was gone. Luckily, I was so busy that I had little time to think but as things started to fall into place, I had more time on my hands."
"Don't worry, before you know it he'll be here, better had as I can't afford the place by myself. What did you think of the condo?"
"I haven't seen it, is it nice?"
"Well, let's say it could rival some of the places in Liverpool. Arthur is only renting, he says he wants a house but with the facilities available in the building and the indoor parking, I think it's great. All maintenance and repairs are taken care of making it great for someone like him who is less handy than the average Joe."
Merlin laughed, Gawaine had once told him that when Arthur had a flat, he had considered renting a car as he wasn't sure what to do. It had a space-saver spare and Laurence had managed to get the flat off and put on the new wheel before driving to the nearest garage to get the flat repaired. Laurence had told Gawaine that on the spot Arthur had offered him a job as his chauffeur if college didn't work out for him.
"It's good to see you, Merlin, I promised Arthur, I'd get in touch to see if everything had gone all right. He hadn't heard from you so he guessed you were coping."
"I was but I still missed talking to him."
"You could have phoned him just to chat."
Merlin laughed saying, "I didn't as I was worried it would make me seem more needy…" he paused thoughtfully before added, "than I actually am!"
Laurence grinned, he'd always admired Merlin and he was pleased that Arthur liked him.
The thought had crossed Laurence's mind that maybe Arthur was not as confident about Merlin's liking him as he had been. He knew that there was many a man who had probably already noticed Merlin. He'd remembered how in his first year, if he was in the wrong place at the wrong time he felt uncomfortable as he knew that he was being judged solely on his looks as a possible overnighter. He'd learned to stay away from those areas when socialising. He just hoped that Merlin hadn't been in that same situation or felt pressured by anyone.