Chapter 10: Confessing
The four approached Uther's group as the man quickly scanned his children's dates with a small frown. Merlin steeled himself as Arthur made the introductions, grateful that there were a number of other people present to take the pressure off them a little.
"Father, I would like to introduce you to Guinevere Leodegrance." Uther did a fairly good job of keeping his features neutral, but Merlin was watching carefully knowing, perhaps more than anyone else, the conflict the man would be feeling about having his son bring along his rival's daughter to such an event.
"A pleasure, my dear. I know your father very well, and … well, I knew your mother too, of course. Lovely woman." Gwen blinked a little, obviously surprised at the comment.
"R-really, well I am always pleased to meet people who knew her. I remember so little, you see," she responded.
"Of course, you must have been very young when she died. Something you and Arthur have in common, unfortunately."
"Yes, of course. It is very sad that he did not know his mother at all."
Merlin inwardly sighed. He really did have a lot of catching up to do. The four of them needed to find some time to sit down and talk as it seemed there was a lot that needed to be discussed and discovered.
"This is Merlin Wyllt," Arthur continued to make the introductions and Uther's polite smile suddenly turned slightly curious. A frown playing across his face as if trying to work out where he recognised him from. Merlin knew that look well – even if he tended to see it a little less often nowadays.
The others in Uther's group took over the conversation for a few minutes, complimenting both girls on their dresses and typically observing how grown up Arthur and Morgana were nowadays, so it was a while before Uther got his next question in, this time asking Gwen about her career.
"I work at Kilgharrah's," Gwen replied with a smile. "As does Merlin."
"Ah, I see," said Uther with a rather more genuine smile. Perhaps he thought his children were still taking part in his spying 'job', despite recent events. "Arthur, I was most surprised to notice your photograph on display outside. You didn't tell me you took part in a sitting."
"Believe me I was surprised too," he replied, exchanging a quick glance with Morgana. "It was a few months now since they were done."
"Ah, but you see, it seems everyone's talking about these photos – the artist himself seems to have asked for anonymity and ... well, you know what that tends to do nowadays."
"Only too well," Merlin muttered under his breath eliciting a giggle from Gwen.
"Everyone's now desperately trying to find out his name and I've even set Aredian on the task," Uther continued casually, whilst Morgana suddenly looked worried. "So …?" Uther asked his son.
"Perfectly dull little man," said Arthur calmly. "Not sure I can recall his name, but I've seen the other pictures here and they do seem to be rather good."
"And I believe I saw you up there too, young man," Uther said then, turning to him. "Merlin Wyllt, you said your name was?"
"Ah, yes, sir."
"So, you must be Hunith's boy?"
"That's right." He was certainly well informed.
"Was Balinor Ambrosius your father then? Only I notice that you've taken your mother's surname."
"He was, yes. I took the name for business reasons, you know, less of a mouthful?"
"Of course," Uther continued. "However both your given name and your face seem rather familiar but I'm struggling to think where I might know you from. Perhaps I met you when you were younger?"
"Ah, I expect you remember me from the television," he said with a wince. "The National Youth Master chef competition? I won it … well, a few years in a row, actually."
Arthur looked highly surprised by this revelation whilst Uther's usually stern face suddenly lit up at the news.
"Of course, you're Merlin the Saucerer," he announced in such a loud voice that half the room turned around to look. Merlin groaned as most of the hall started to point and whisper. There went his anonymity.
"The … what?" asked Arthur.
"Of course, not the sort of show you'd have watched when you were a teenager, Arthur," Uther continued. "But it was a big deal then and, this young man was … well, a national superstar, I'd say."
"What ... Merlin," Arthur scoffed and Uther laughed good naturedly at his reaction.
"It was the most popular show on television at the time," his father explained, "and for Merlin here to win it three years in a row was unheard of. A very talented young chef." He said with a genuine smile which Merlin tried very hard to return.
"But, that can't be right," Arthur disagreed. "You were Maître d' when we visited Kilgharrah's."
"So, you're not the chef at the restaurant then?" asked Uther, his eyes suddenly brighter as he sensed a possible answer to one of his many questions about the place. "I can see how the son of the owner, with such obvious talent, would be in the perfect position to earn such a place, despite his youth." Merlin started to panic. This was not the way he'd wanted his secret to come out.
"No, Merlin's Maître d' as Arthur said," Morgana interrupted, obviously trying to rescue him. "Look now, the dancing is about to start. You were going to ask me, weren't you, Merlin?"
"Ah yes, of course," he said, offering his hand to her and trying to calm his beating heart. "Thanks," he continued as she manoeuvred him onto the floor.
"You're welcome, but that conversation has brought up even more interesting questions than I had before, the most pressing of which is why your mother suddenly feels she can trust Arthur so much that she's willing to sign part of the company over to him?"
"Ah ... I suppose I should ..." It looked like now was the time to explain a few things to Morgana. If it was about to come into the open anyway, it really would be better if he told her himself, otherwise he might lose her again and he didn't think he could survive that a second time. "Let's find somewhere to talk after this dance. I think it's time I told you a few things."
So, he took Morgana to a small side room marked 'staff', unlocked it with magic and led her inside. Then he gently held her hands and started by telling her a little of why he now trusted Arthur, although he was still having to be fairly vague because he knew, through Gwen, that the blond didn't want his family to know about the proposal yet.
That in turn led Merlin to tell her about his past; about how he'd been introduced to cookery early on, had been entered for various competitions and how, ultimately, he'd earned so much money that he was able to help his father to set up the first 'Kilgharrah's' restaurant.
"But … you were the main investor? At ten?" she asked, stunned at the news.
"I really was famous, as Uther recalls. I earned prize money in that television competition and a fair few others. I earned even more for chat show appearances, guest spots on adult cooking shows, and children's television. Then I had numerous, lucrative sponsorship deals - earned millions. Father wanted to put it all away from when I was old enough to use it sensibly, but I wouldn't hear of it. I knew of his dream and I wanted to help him. More than that, I had the 'magic' that I mentioned before; the art of making the sauces taste special and a presenting style that quickly became my trade mark."
"Oh my," she muttered, now starting to fully understand.
"As such, our Cardiff restaurant was an overnight success. Even as a boy, I was in overall charge of the menus, cooked most of the sauces myself, made the decorations and displays. Father might have got into trouble over how many hours I was working but … it wasn't work for me, it was fun. He and mother had been so nervous and guilty about investing their child's money in the company but, of course, none of it was an issue. The first Kilgharrah's was such a success, that I got my investment back in six months and then started to make a profit."
"Wow, I really had no idea."
"When I turned eighteen, Balinor drew up legal papers to make me an official fifty percent partner in the company. I wasn't sure about that at the time, as I'd only just started at Cambridge and couldn't help feeling that, for all my influence, it really was my father's restaurant, not mine. More to the point, I didn't think I'd be taken seriously by the board. I always have looked young for my age – don't seem like the typical business type at first glance, but Dad was quite happy to continue to protect me from all the hype. People were beginning to forget my child chef past and I admit that it was nice to be able to keep a low profile at long last and not be recognised and so, the mysterious Emrys continued to play his part – and the mystery of that was good for business too, as your father said."
"So, it's you, it's all you. The menu, the dragons, the food … everything?"
"I do love you, Morgana, but …"
"Merlin ..." she gasped, moving forwards, obviously excited by his sudden declaration.
"No, wait, I have to say this. You have to understand that my restaurant is everything to me. It's my life, my family … that is why I was reluctant to form any close relationships – why I was so devastated when you …" He shook his head. "Why I thought that my feelings for you might make me loose everything. No matter how much I care for you, the restaurant comes first. When my father died I inherited Kilgharrah's – all of it. It's mine now and I have a responsibility to all those people, my customers, all my employees and I can't – I won't let anyone take it away from me."
"I understand and you know that I'm fully on your side now … I've told you that.
"I know," he nodded calmly. "I do understand and I really want to trust you."
"You can," she pushed and he nodded again, before telling her a little more about the proposed merger but, yet again, he had to continue to be slightly evasive when it came to mentioning the real reason for trusting Arthur; both his attachment to Gwen and his own visions on their shared destiny.
"I'll come and work for you too," she suddenly offered. "I don't enjoy my current job – well, this business world was perhaps never really my thing but, working for Kilgharrah's, that would be different, I could do that."
"No," said Merlin, shaking his head. "It's good of you to offer, but you shouldn't do something unless you're totally passionate about it. You're right though, you really shouldn't be working for Camelot either - especially if you don't enjoy it."
"That's all very well but, what else would I do? Where else could I get such a well paid job?"
"It's not all about money."
"Says the billionaire," she countered and Merlin grinned.
"I earned that money through passion. My parents never pushed me into it – it was always what I wanted to do. You should do what you want to do, even if it meant you had to give up your high-class lifestyle. Not that you would have to give up anything, not with your talent."
"I don't understand."
"You should be a full time photographer. Make it your career."
"I can't do that. Impossible. What would Uther think? How could I possibly make a decent wage from that?"
"Have you looked at your Comp this evening?" Merlin asked with a broad grin.
"My Comp? What's that got to do with anything?" He watched her with amusement as she took the device out of her bag and started to read the various messages that Morgause had been sending both of them that evening. Messages about the numerous, very large offers for the photos on display here, plus others inviting Morgan to display 'his' work in other events in the upcoming months – enough for her to start carving out a basic career. Even with all his current concerns about Kilgharrah's, Merlin couldn't help but start automatically planning how he could help her to develop these offers into a serious, profitable business.
"But … how did you know …?" she asked.
"Morgause has been sending me reports too," he replied, holding up his own Comp, and she groaned as her earlier suspicion was confirmed.
"It was you that got in contact with her for me, not Arthur. Why didn't you say?"
"What would have been the fun in that?" he replied innocently. "I know it wouldn't always be a secure income – could be touch and go at times, but you could follow your dream – it's what we should all do."
"But, Uther …"
"You're twenty-three, Morgana. You don't need to be supported by your father and … if you do need help whilst you're setting up then, I'll do it. It's not as if I don't have a bit of money after all and – well, why wouldn't I want to help my girlfriend to follow her heart. If we're going to be … well, if this relationship works then … it makes perfect sense anyway."
"Merlin, you really don't have to do that."
"I know, but I want to. I just want to see you happy, that's all." She quickly stood, pulling him up with her, and threw her arms around him bringing her lips to his in a passionate kiss. His heart leapt at the move and he quickly took advantage of the situation, pulling her closer and kissing her back wholeheartedly, his hands exploring her curves under the soft silk and hers now enthusiastically tangling in his hair.
xoxOxox
"Where have you two been?" Arthur asked suspiciously as they made their way back towards the main ballroom.
"Just talking," Morgana replied quickly whilst Gwen tried unsuccessfully to muffle a giggle.
"Really?" said Arthur sceptically. "So, if you were 'just talking' then why is Merlin wearing such a fetching shade of lipstick?" Merlin turned bright pink and hastily rubbed at his lips with the back of his hand, glaring at Arthur whilst the blond smirked back.
"Not that it's any of your business," Morgana stated haughtily.
"If you say so, but I thought I'd better let you know that Father's looking for you and that he was talking to Aredian a few minutes ago who honestly looked like the proverbial cat that had got the cream."
"Oh drat!" Morgana cursed.
The two couples walked into the main hall passing a well-known magazine and television social reporter and the woman's eyes suddenly widened as they approached.
"They can't possible recognise us, can they?" Arthur asked.
"Ah, that might be me," Merlin admitted.
"Oh, really and why on earth would she be interested in you?" Arthur asked.
"Despite what Uther says, the whole world does not revolve around you, your highness," Merlin countered aware of the girls exchanging an amused smile at their banter.
"I never said it did but, just because you were once a famous child-star, does not mean that the whole world revolves around you either. 'Merlin the Saucerer' indeed. What sort of title is that?"
"Not my idea, I can assure you," Merlin muttered in response.
"And what is it with your company suddenly saying they could trust me, but not my father? What am I supposed to say when he quizzes me about that?"
"There's no point fighting destiny, Arthur, I thought we'd already established that."
"What? What are you talking about, Merlin?" Arthur was confused and Merlin winced a little, wishing he'd rephrased the comment.
"After Gwen and I made up with you two, we all decided that it would be better to have your family as our allies rather than our enemies. It makes sound business sense too and … well, it was always inevitable – surely you must have sensed it too."
"Sensed what? Fate? Destiny? Honestly, I get enough of that sort of talk from Father. What would you know about such things? Or are you really a sorcerer and can see the future or something?" Merlin grinned in reply. Oh, if only he knew! "So, that whole thing yesterday was as much about me and Guinevere as it was about … business?" Merlin shrugged and Arthur suddenly turned his attention to Gwen. "You talked to him about … Wednesday?" he asked her, sounding a little nervous at the prospect.
"Of course I did, he's my best friend, we tell each other everything," she replied with a shrug.
"Hang on a minute. Everything?" asked Morgana then, her voice sounding unnaturally high. She glared at Merlin who ducked his head.
"Well, perhaps not … everything but … well, most things. Well not absolutely everything … I mean … ah ..." Gwen winced as she noticed Morgana's glare turn on her, "... sorry."
"And the board of Kilgharrah's just accepted that? From you?" Arthur continued.
"Considering my … abilities … I have a certain reputation within the restaurant ..." Merlin said carefully, "and … well, they trust my judgement because …"
"Because …?" The girls had been turning their gaze back and forward between the pair, as if watching a ball at a tennis match and Morgana suddenly giggled, as if realising how amusing it must have looked. Merlin, meanwhile was searching for an escape route. He felt that he'd shared more than enough secrets for one night and would rather wait for a bit before revealing anything else.
"Ah, it seems your father's trying to get our attention," he said, actually pleased to see Uther for once.
"You're going to have to tell him," Morgana whispered then, and he shrugged.
"I suppose. Actually, I was rather hoping he might work it out for himself."
"Don't hold your breath," she replied as they finally reached Uther's position.
"Morgana," said her father in the same tone he'd used at her flat when he'd suspected her of having a 'guest' that morning. "Aredian's just found out the name of this mysterious photographer."
"Oh?" she replied, attempting an innocent tone.
"Morgan Le Fey. What do you think about that?"
"Ah …"
"Only, unless your grandfather has somehow managed to jump out of his grave and take pictures of these two boys recently, the only thing I can think of is that you've reverted to your childish bad habits and have been going behind my back, yet again."
"Childish? Uther, how can you say that when you've seen how much people are talking about my photographs this evening?"
"So, it is true?"
"Yes," she replied lifting her chin as high as she could.
"Well, I can't allow it to continue, obviously."
"What?"
"No daughter of mine is going to be dabbling in the arts – you have a reputation to maintain." Merlin snorted in response and Uther quickly rounded on him. "And I suppose you've been encouraging her? Your work in catering as a child was obviously a bad influence on you too."
"I still work in catering," he replied confidently, "and happen to be very good at what I do." Uther seemed a little surprised by his confidence, whilst Arthur look impressed ... and then rather suspicious.
"Well yes, you were educated in Cambridge – the less said about that, the better," Uther continued. "Morgana, however, is Dark Blue and I will not have a member of my family or my company involved in such practises."
"Not a problem. I resign," she hissed, and, believe me, if it were possible to quit as your daughter I'd do that too."
"There is no need to over-react," Uther said calmly, "Once you think this through I'm sure you'll realise how difficult it would be for you to pursue such a 'hobby' without my financial support." Morgana turned to look at Merlin who simply smiled gently back and nodded, taking a small step forward.
"That won't be a problem, Mr. Pendragon," he said. "I've already agreed to be Morgana's investor in her new photography business and can guarantee that she will have all the financial support she needs." Gwen smiled broadly, whilst Morgana tried hard not to laugh at the sceptical looks that both Arthur and Uther were giving Merlin.
"You?" said her brother.
"Exactly what financial support to you think you could give her?" Uther continued.
"Do you have any idea how much money I made whilst competing on that show? How much of a reputation I built?" he replied and Uther's jaw dropped open as he recalled just how famous Merlin had been as a child.
"But ..." stuttered Arthur. "Why would you work as maître d' if you have all that money?"
"Because I enjoy the work," said Merlin with a casual shrug. "Anyway, I don't always do that job. As I said to Morgana during that shoot, most of the people who work at Kilgharrah's do a number of different jobs. As it happens, I only host on Saturday nights – the rest of the week I … have other work to do."
"Such as?" Merlin gave Arthur an amused grin and her brother frowned suspiciously, perhaps starting to put all the pieces of the puzzle together after all. Uther, however, was too cross to be thinking straight.
"Well, I obviously couldn't comment earlier when we there were others around," Uther continued, "but I shall say now that I assumed your reason for bringing these two as dates was business, but I can see that they have been a bad influence on both of you and I really cannot sanction these relationships any more – not considering all the bad blood there is between Leodegrance and I now, and not to mention all the underhanded schemes employed by Kilgharrah's recently.
"Surely that's irrelevant now," said Arthur. "You've passed the shares onto me and I'm the one who will be in talks with the company regarding a future merger. As such I now consider Guinevere, her father and Merlin's family as allies and so any relationship we have with them can only improve relations – business and personal."
"The ink is hardly dry on that contract," said Uther, "What interests me is just how long these relationships have been going on for, especially considering Mr. Lothian's rather crude comment during Monday's meeting." He then suddenly turned on Morgana. "Was this who you were trying to hide from me that morning?" he asked, waving a hand at Merlin and she winced, despite her best efforts not to react. "Talk about 'sleeping with the enemy', exactly what were you trying to prove?"
"Merlin is not the enemy," she said and then winced again as her father raised his eyebrows – obviously taking note that she had not denied the other part of that statement.
"Father, you might not sanction that relationship but I do," said Arthur firmly. He suddenly looked at Merlin and froze, a small frown appearing. "It appears that I will be working closely with Merlin from now on and so I'm quite happy for him to be dating my sister." Merlin looked straight at Arthur and saw both shock and understanding within the blue depths. He'd worked it out – connected the child chef with the confident businessman, with the close friend of Gwen and probably felt that strange push of 'destiny' that he'd been getting the last week or so too. Merlin gave him a knowing glance back, as if confirming his silent suspicion. "As for Guinevere," Arthur continued. "I understand that Mrs. Ambrosius and Mr. Leodegrance are happy about her relationship with me and believe it helps to secure our future merger."
Uther blanched as he said this and Morgana also looked closely at her brother trying to work out if his words had a double meaning.
"You don't know what you are saying, Arthur," said their father. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into. That company …" He paused, shaking his head. "You were right when you said we should have left well alone but now … now they've got you snared in more ways than one and …"
"No, Father, in this matter, the business is irrelevant. This is all about my feelings for Guinevere." Arthur blinked hard, apparently realising that he was, at long last, standing up to Uther. "In fact, I shall prove just how serious I am," and, with that, he athletically jumped up onto a nearby table, picked up a glass and spoon, and tapped the two gently together until the whole hall fell silent, whilst Uther folded his arms and glared.
"Good evening, everyone - sorry to interrupt. For those of you that don't know, my name is Arthur Pendragon of the Camelot corporation and I have a couple of announcements to make." Merlin grinned at Gwen who was now looking very nervous. Morgana was simply looking confused.
"Firstly I would like to announce that I am shortly to join the board of Kilgharrah's with the full approval of the whole of their company. I believe that Mr. Emrys and I will shortly be in talks as to how to take this wonderful restaurant into the twenty-second century." He flashed a meaningful look at Merlin who grinned and gave him a firm nod – a much clearer confirmation of his earlier guess. "I wish to state here and now that this is not a take-over by Camelot. The restaurant will continue to be run by it's current owner and I shall simply be advising and assisting in my own small way." He paused for a moment, allowing the mutters and whispers to continue for a while. "I also have another, less serious announcement to make … Guinevere?" He bent down and held out a hand, encouraging Gwen to step up onto a chair and from there to join him on the table. "I wish to introduce my fiancée, Guinevere Leodegrance. Yesterday I asked her to marry me and she was generous enough to accept which, considering everything that's been happening recently, proves that she really is far too good for me."
The whole of the hall erupted into loud applause as Arthur pulled Gwen close and kissed her passionately in front of everyone. Uther muttered something about 'ingratitude' under his breath and moved out to the bar; probably to get a strong drink.
Merlin moved closer to a still stunned looking Morgana and bent down to whisper in her ear. "That's why I now trust him."
"And do you trust me yet?" she asked as Arthur and Gwen dismounted the table to receive their congratulations from a rapidly gathering crowd.
"I'm getting there," Merlin replied. "Perhaps I stand a better chance of guaranteeing your loyalty if I start merger talks with you too." His heart pounded as he said it. Should he be saying this? He was the one that had told Gwen it was far too early for such a commitment but then … there was this feeling about their relationship too – a feeling that this was just … right, destined - meant to be.
Morgana swallowed hard at the comment. "Exactly what sort of merger are we talking about here?" she asked carefully.
"Oh, much the same sort as Arthur and Gwen's I imagine," he replied nervously. He knew he'd never have said such a thing if he'd been sober.
"And you reckon you can offer good enough incentives for me to accept such a proposal?" she replied, and his heart beat faster as he realised that she was encouraging him to continue.
"I believe I could close such a deal with a single item," he replied, suddenly more confident.
"Oh really?" Morgana challenged.
"Easily."
"And that would be?"
"My chocolate desert, once a week ... for life," he answered, grinning as Morgana gasped at the prospect. "Well, do we have a deal?"
"Deal," Morgana replied, pulling Merlin into a passionate, public embrace of her own.
XoxOxox
Next Time – Chapter 11: Reminiscing. Merlin invites the siblings home and Gwen puts a recording of an old MasterChef episode on.
A/N So, we've caught up at long last. This is the end of the 'Kilgharrah's' story - again. Now we start with the sequel itself. What are you expecting/hoping to see?