As he day for the date approached Arthur started to get nervous he had no idea where to take her, his usual first date to the cinema was out after all Merlin wouldn't have her subtitles as she did on the TV. As they weren't going out in a group with others bowling was out. It was too cold to go for walk but he wanted to do more than just take her out for a meal. In the end he decided to take her to a butterfly house in a nearby town and then back to Camelot for a meal. Luckily there was a train service as he still hadn't got enough use from his arm to drive safely.
Merlin loved the butterflies there were so many different ones from all over the world and some where huge. Merlin loved it when they landed on her and Arthur took several photos. She couldn't believe the beauty of them they were so delicate and more brightly coloured than many of the British ones. Signing to Arthur she asked him to get one of the staff to take a photo of them together as a memento of their first date. As they walked round hand in hand it just felt so right for both of them. They stayed until closing time then they went to Camelot for a meal, deciding on a Chinese. They were sitting down when who should walk in but Arthur's old flat mate, Tristan, who was please to see Arthur.
"I'm glad it was all sorted Arthur, it was a horrid time for you, you needn't have moved out you know"
"I had to, it would have been difficult for you, anyway I wouldn't have met Merlin otherwise" He introduced Merlin to Tristan who wished them both good luck. Arthur felt it was a life time away, almost a different life, and he didn't miss it. All he needed was his arm healed and all would be well. He was so looking forward to learning sign properly. Once they had their meal they got a taxi back to home. As they kissed on the doorstep and Arthur held Merlin's slender body close he knew he had found his soul mate and couldn't have been happier.
Merlin couldn't wait to tell everyone about the butterflies. After that the couple went everywhere together. Merlin passed her driving test so they were mobile and when they weren't busy they went out. Merlin's business was going from strength to strength and the online ordering worked out well. Gwen took the phone calls if Arthur was busy. The Christmas period was hectic and Merlin didn't seemed to stop. Arthur wished he could help with the deliveries but Gwen was more than willing to help out. By the time Christmas came Merlin was exhausted but at least Arthur was almost back to normal, although he would have some residue weakness for months yet. Arthur helped where he could and spent the rest of the time on his own new business, He was designing websites for local businesses and working on some programmes. Every spare moment he was working on systems to help people like Merlin. He had made a site for Lance to sell and advertise his products and that seemed, with word of mouth to be bringing in enough orders to keep him very busy.
Christmas was a wonderful affair and Arthur loved it, he had never experienced such wonderful family Christmas's and with Gwen and Merlin cooking everyone enjoyed themselves. Boxing Day saw all the gang round at the house and even Morgana turned up, she had split up with Helios but didn't seem worried. Morgana and Arthur were closer than ever although they kept their relationship away from Uther. Morgana was still working for her father and it seemed Uther was even beginning to consider retirement, although Arthur wouldn't believe that until it happened.
As the New Year settled into a quiet spell for Merlin, it gave the two of them time to really spend some time together, it wasn't long before Arthur was signing as well as the others. Not that they seemed to need a language as they instinctively knew what each other was thinking. Arthur was helping to turn the upstairs of the house into Merlin's own home. Once it was nearly done Lance spoke to Arthur.
"I don't know what your plans are but it seems to me that you and Merlin are meant to be together, the top of the house is hers and I just wanted to say that if you were to want to ... marry her we would be pleased" Lance blushed "I mean you might not want, to but if you did"
"Thank you Lance, I do want to, but it would be wrong to... after all I should provide for her." Arthur said.
"But we would rather she was close and her business is here, it makes sense, don't let that stop you... when you're ready that is"
Nothing more was said but Arthur was still reluctant to ask Merlin to marry him until he could provide for her. But it seemed Gwaine had other ideas and he went to see Arthur one day. "Arthur when are you going to make an honest woman of Merlin?" he asked bluntly.
"I don't need to we haven't, I mean I wouldn't not until we're married." Arthur protested.
"You'd better not! But, well she loves you, you love her so marry her!"
Arthur looked at Gwaine in amazement "I didn't expect to hear that from you, your little princess."
"She might be my princess but she loves you, make her happy" Gwaine said seriously "We've never seen her so happy"
"I want to provide for me myself and I can't afford a house" Arthur explained.
"And ... She's got one idiot, why do you think we've been helping her so much, and don't go caveman, live with her there, it's ideal near her work and where she has support. None of us will think any less of you mate, but I for one will not be happy if you don't do something soon. Go and buy a ring!"
Arthur said he would think about it, he really did want to be with Merlin and he saw the sense in what both Lance and Gwaine were saying but it went against the grain. He wanted at least to be able to contribute. His business was starting to pick up but Merlin's venture was doing much better. He shelved the idea when Morgana rang to say his father had had a heart attack and was in hospital. He didn't know what to do. He hated his father for all that he had done and the fact that he had disowned him, but he was his father. So in the end he mentioned it to Merlin who immediately said he should go and visit him and offered to drive him to the hospital.
They set of after work and Merlin went up to the ward with Arthur, she was being so supportive that it made Arthur realise just what a gem he had found. Merlin waited outside while he went in to see his father. Morgana was sat by the bed holding her father's hand. She looked up surprised as he entered. Uther was unconscious and so Arthur sat next to his sister.
"They don't think he'll make it" Morgana told him "His housekeeper found him when she went in this morning, he was unconscious then"
Arthur nodded not sure what to say. He put his hand on his sister's shoulder in support. "I'm sorry Morgana, it's horrible for you, if there's anything I can do"
"No, but thanks for coming, I wasn't sure you would."
"I wasn't going to but Merlin suggested I did, she brought me in. She's waiting outside" Arthur admitted "I suppose he is my father but I just can't feel that upset."
"Don't worry nor am I, he's been unbearable these last few months, I suppose I saw this coming" Morgana admitted. "I wonder what he would have been like if your mum had lived?" Morgana looked at Arthur "You've found a good one in Merlin don't let her go"
"I know, I'd ask her to marry me but what have I got to offer her." He admitted.
"Yourself, she adores you, that's enough anyway your business is picking up and so is hers. You help her I know you do. Don't let pride keep you apart.
