Arthur couldn't sleep that night; he was too worried about Merlin. Ok the wound was nothing to worry about but what if anyone had noticed what the fool had done. He had slowed down time, Arthur knew there were security cameras at the venue and if they showed anything would Merlin be whisked away as his father had been. The boy showed no sign of self preservation, but then he didn't know what had happened to his father. After tossing this over and over in his head Arthur decided he had to phone Kilgarrah in the morning, Merlin had to know the truth about his father. That way he might be more careful. At five o'clock having decided he wasn't going to get any sleep Arthur made a call to the UK, with the time difference it was two pm, so Kilgarrah would be about.
"Hello Arthur I thought you were in California?" Kilgarrah's voice was puzzled.
"I am we have had an incident here, I think he should know about his father. It might make him more careful." Arthur was vague as he could be.
"Was he seen" Arthur had caught Kilgarrah's attention.
"It will be on security camera, hopefully it won't show up." Arthur told the other man.
"I will be over on the next flight, do nothing but keep him close." Kilgarrah put the phone down.
Arthur gave up the fight for sleep and had a shower and got dressed. He then made himself a cup of coffee and waited for the rest of the house to wake up. At six he went to Merlin's room to check on the lad. He was fast asleep; the protection officer said he hadn't stirred all night.
Arthur went down stairs to his office and started his days work; he could get something done before Merlin woke at least. He had a text from Kilgarrah to say he would be arriving at seventeen thirty and could Arthur send a car. Arthur arranged that before going up to see Merlin. This time the young man was awake and had clearly had a shower, he had removed the bandage from his arm, exposing the wound where the slither of wood had gone in. Merlin was trying to put some plasters on it from the room's first aid kit.
"Give that here Merlin." Arthur took the box from him and removed a large plaster and put it on the area. "I'll get a doctor to check that later." He looked at Merlin "That was a brave but stupid thing you did last night, you could have been seen."
"I couldn't let him get shot." Merlin said "so I did what I could"
"Could you not have stopped the gun working somehow?" Arthur asked.
"I didn't know if I could and I only had seconds to act. I had to get both of you out the way as I didn't know if my ward would stop a bullet." Merlin explained."Sorry for saving a life" Merlin said sarcastically.
"I didn't mean that Merlin, I was just worried you may have exposed yourself and your skills. It's you I'm worried about." Arthur looked at Merlin. "Do you need help with your shirt?"
"I can dress myself!" Merlin said indignantly "I take it since you haven't got a suit on I can wear t shirt and jeans."
"Yes wear whatever you like we have a day off today. Although I believe the police are coming over later to have another word with us. Just be careful what you say that's all." Arthur reminded Merlin.
"I will, don't worry, I have been hiding my talent all my life you know." Merlin grinned.
"Come on then breakfast some more wonderful pancakes with maple syrup or waffles which ever you like."
"Nice, mind you I miss my bacon and eggs" Merlin said cheekily finishing getting dressed as he talked.
"Ask Mrs Clark she'll do you some."
"I did but there not the same as at home. I like waffles anyway." Merlin walked out I front of Arthur. He was getting used to the other man now and Merlin's easy going nature was showing more and more. "Last one down stairs is a sissy." He shouted as he ran. Arthur just rolled his eyes and followed the younger man down stairs.
The police arrived at ten and asked both men a few questions. Mainly Merlin, they wanted to know what he had seem before he shouted and ran and if he had seen anyone else suspicious or with the gunman. They seemed happy and left shortly afterwards. Arthur had a phone call from John O'Brien the man Merlin had saved the night before. The man spoke to Merlin and thanked him and hoped his wound soon healed. Later that morning Merlin received a package from Mr O'Brien it was a Rolex watch, Merlin was astounded and wanted to return it. Arthur told him that John O'Brien could well afford it and he had saved the man's life so he should keep it. Merlin reluctantly agreed and contacted the man to thank him. Merlin couldn't believe how his life had changed in such a short time.
As Merlin and Arthur were sat relaxing before their evening meal Kilgarrah arrived. Arthur hadn't told Merlin he was coming so it was a great surprise. As the older man walked through the door Merlin jumped up a smile on his face.
"Killi I didn't know you where coming." Merlin walked toward Kilgarrah and hugged him. Arthur was still surprised at the relationship the two of them had.
"Hello young warlock" Killi whispered in Merlin's ear "I hear you have been up to your tricks." Merlin turned and glared at Arthur before turning back "It was nothing much"
"Hello Arthur good to see you again." Kilgarrah held out his hand and Arthur shook it.
"Good to see you as well, I hope you are staying for a while?" Arthur replied.
"Well I hear your going back in a week so I might travel back with you if that's alright, so much nicer than scheduled flights." Kilgarrah gave Arthur a small smile before turning to Merlin "What did you think of Arthur's little toy Merlin, the best way to fly eh."
Merlin gave Kilgarrah a grin "It's nice to see you Killi I didn't know you were coming."
"Nor did I, a spur of the moment thing."
"The evening meal will be ready soon shall we go through and we can talk as we eat." Arthur told the other two men.
After the mal and been eaten Arthur led the other two into a small snug of the main lounge. They sat down and Arthur and Kilgarrah had a brandy Merlin had his usual cola; he couldn't develop a taste for spirits. Kilgarrah looked at Merlin
"Can you block of the sound please so we can talk in peace." He asked the young man.
"Done. "Merlin told him after a flash of gold from his eyes.
"Right now Merlin, Arthur spoke to me this morning about the events of last night and I think the time has come for you to be told something, your mother agrees. I don't want you to be upset but you need to listen and not butt in until I've finished ok"
"Ok" came a small voice from Merlin.
Kilgarrah told Merlin about his father and what had happened to him. As he did he put his arm around the slight figure. By the end Merlin had silent tears running down his face. When Kilgarrah had finished Merlin looked at him anger showing on his face.
"Why? Why did you keep this from me, you had no right!" his voice was low but angry.
"Your mother and I felt it best, but you need to know now, you need to keep yourself safe Merlin, and to do that you need to know what happened. I'm sorry boy, you know I love you like you were my own, I want you safe." Kilgarrah paused "Your father was spotted saving people and we never saw him again. I was deputy head of MI5 at the time and even I couldn't help him. I couldn't even find him until it was too late, and even if I had I doubt I would have been able to help him!"
"You told him before me!" Merlin glared at Arthur "Who else knows?"
"Merlin calm down son, I only told Arthur so he could help to protect you, you need to protect one another." Kilgarrah explained.
"Who else knows?" Merlin demanded.
"Just your mother and Lord Lot, no one else must ever know."