Freya's meeting with Hunith was a much more relaxed affair and the two immediately hit it off. Hunith was pleased that Freya was such a sweet girl and didn't have a snobbish air about her, which had been her concern when Merlin had told her he was dating his boss's daughter. Freya found Hunith a homely and loving woman and she could clearly see where Merlin got his sweet nature from. By the end of Freya's visit the two had exchanged mobile numbers.
It was all too soon for Freya to head back to Oxford. This was clearly going to be a long distance relationship. Although they were only an hour and a half apart it would be difficult to meet up in the week. Even so they texted each other frequently and met up at the weekend either in Oxford or London. But they weren't rushing anything.
Merlin was told of his promotion three weeks later. He immediately believed he hadn't earned it and had a long lecture from Arthur on self-esteem. The two men's relationship had improved, even if they both still snarked at each other. Over the next few months Merlin found himself going on more foreign trips and working longer hours. After a particularly arduous couple of weeks, due to a big case Arthur had taken on, it finally caught up with Merlin. They were at a meeting with clients when Merlin had a seizure brought on by lack of sleep and stress. Arthur had dealt with it and got Merlin home afterwards. Then had he the job of informing Freya who was fuming mad with her father.
"You know Merlin should have regular hours and you pushed him to hard" she shouted down the phone. "That wasn't fair Dad, I'm coming home tonight" with that she slammed down the phone.
Mithian was also cross with Arthur, it was Hunith that was the most understanding "Merlin knows how to look after himself he should have said something. Don't worry he'll be fine. A days rest and he will be back at work"
"I'm sorry Hunith, I should have noticed, I am supposed to take account of my staff's needs, it's not like I didn't know" Arthur liked Hunith they had got to know one another over several shared family meals.
Freya went straight from the station to Hunith's where she found a somewhat embarrassed Merlin. "Merlin are you feeling ok"
"I am, what a klutz I should have been more careful, and in front of important clients as well. I was going to ask if I could finish early that night, I suppose I should have asked before. But it's my job and I want to prove myself" Merlin told her "Please don't get cross with your dad, I am a grown man I know my condition"
"Too late I already have! He should have looked after you" Freya gave Merlin a hug "I know he's sorry but you have to promise me you won't let it happen again"
Hunith looked at the pair "Freya Merlin has seizures at least twice a year, he will be fine. He just needs to make sure he looks after himself. It's not your father's fault, if it's anyone's it's Merlin's, he knows if he looks after himself he has less risk" She gave Freya a cup of tea "Now drink that and stop worrying over him, your father did all the right things and Merlin is fine"
Hunith left the two together and went and rang Ygraine "Freya is here, and Merlin is awake and fine. Thank your husband for looking after Merlin and bringing him home and please tell him not to worry"
Arthur arrived an hour later after Hunith had shown him into the lounge Arthur immediately apologised "Merlin I'm sorry I shouldn't have pushed you so hard, I was tired myself and should have realised it won't happen again"
Merlin was about to speak when Freya jumped in "Dad how could you! Poor Merlin, embarrassing him like that!"
"Freya please it was my fault I should have said something earlier, I knew I was getting tired and stressed" Merlin looked at his boss "I'm sorry Sir, and thank you for bringing me home. I hope I didn't ruin things for you with the clients"
"No you didn't Merlin, they had been very impressed with you, and even more so that you had done so well and not let your condition rule your life. As for thanking me, you have no need as Freya says I shouldn't have put you in that position in the first place. I drive myself hard, and I need to realise when to stop. If anything you have shown me the need to make sure I get breaks as well. Having you work with me might work well for me as well. But you must let me know in good time" Arthur told his PA "Mithian has been moaning that I am too hard on myself and will overdo it one day. So let's use this to our mutual advantage in future"
Merlin looked relieved and Freya smiled "Good on you Dad Mum will be pleased, she says she would like you to slow down"
Arthur looked at the pair "I think I should, after all that's why I made Lance the business manager to take a load of me, but all I did was to take on more other work" he smiled at Merlin "You're a good man Merlin don't let this worry you, now Freya I suggest you come home and let Merlin rest up, you can come back later. Merlin You can have a couple of days off, I suspect you could do with a rest and I suspect Freya will be about. I'll see you back at the office on Monday"