Arthur eventually went up to bed, on the way he went to check on Merlin and found him asleep still. He stood looking at the young man for a moment before turning to walk out the room. Gaius looked up from where he was sitting in Merlin's small outer room.
"He will be alright you know." He said to Arthur.
"How can you be so sure? And how do you know he was sit by magic?" the blonde demanded his voice more irritable than he intended.
"I have a very small amount of magic myself, just the traces left. It allows me to know when someone has magic and also when it is used. I have faith in you to look after him, I have heard a lot about you over the years from John and I firmly believe you two will be good together." Gaius looked at the other man in a kindly manner.
"Is this the first time you've met Merlin?" he needed to know more than he was being told. Arthur wasn't used to operating on such limited knowledge and it was annoying him.
"No I met him when he was a child; he won't remember me, when John brought him to see me. I knew then he was destined for great things, such a bright boy." Gaius looked at Arthur and saw the signs of stress. "Get some sleep Arthur; we will talk in the morning."
Arthur went to his room and opened his safe and got out the files Merlin had rescued. He looked through them, everything was there. The police had contacted him earlier and told him the fire was out and that they wanted to see him in the morning, together with the fire investigation team. It seemed that the fire had been started deliberately. It would have been nice to speak to Merlin first but from what he had been told this was unlikely. Now did he admit Merlin had been in the building or not? He would have to play it by ear. Why was hid life becoming so complicated all of a sudden.
Arthur went to bed and thanks mainly due to the brandy fell asleep after a while. He woke up early next morning and after a shower got dressed. He always felt more in control once he has a suit on. He walked across to Merlin's rooms and went in. Merlin was still fast asleep and showed no signs of waking anytime soon. Arthur went to the young man's side and gentle brushed his hair away from his eyes. "I wish you would wake Merlin, what do I tell the police? I wonder if anyone saw you." he turned away and saw Gaius in the doorway.
"The fire setters would have seen him, after all a spell was used against him. But I doubt anyone else would have done. Surely the burglars would have knocked out any cameras before they went in. Merlin would have transported straight to your office and straight out. if that's any help." Gaius told him.
"You're right of course, but I really would have liked to have spoken to Merlin first. But I'm meeting the investigation team on site at ten so it's not likely is it?" Arthur asked.
"If it's that important I might be able to get him to wake for a short period, how much sense he would make is debatable." Gaius told Arthur. "Let me try" with that the older man went to Merlin's side and placed his hand on the sleeping teenager's forehead and muttered some words Arthur didn't catch. He then stood back and gestured Arthur closer. "Speak gently to him and don't get him excited." He warned.
Arthur went and sat on the bed next to Merlin and looked down at him. "Merlin can you hear me?" he asked.
Merlin stirred and slowly opened his eyes, clearly still very drowsy. "Umm" was all Arthur got.
"Merlin can you remember yesterday, in my office there was a break in and fire?"
Merlin nodded but said nothing.
"Did anyone see you? Either going in or out." Arthur persisted.
Again Merlin nodded to signify yes. Arthur asked again "Who Merlin, who saw you?
Merlin opened his eyes slightly wider and started to speak very softly. Arthur bent his head to listen. "two women…. not yours, had magic, dark magic" came to muttered words.
"Did they know you had magic? Please Merlin it's important." Arthur spoke as calmly as he could.
"no" came the one word reply. Arthur was getting frustrated but tried to keep it from his voice Merlin was clearly doing his best.
"How did you get the files from them Merlin?"
"grabbed them a…nd …ra..n"
You just grabbed them! so they didn't see you disappear?" Merlin nodded his head once more to signify no before closing his eyes.
"That is enough Arthur anything else will have to wait till he wakes." Gaius told the blonde. "Was that a help?"
"It should be enough for me to muddle through. I didn't want to tell the investigators Merlin hadn't been there if he had been seen. Look after him Gaius. I'll be back later. If you need me Kilgarrah or Hunith have my number. I'm leaving Elyan here as well. He is one of my protection officers and will be outside this room." Arthur walked out and down stairs where he grabbed some toast and tea before heading into the city with Percy.
Once at his headquarters Arthur was soon in meetings with the police and fire investigators. It seemed the floor where Arthur's office had been was badly damaged by the fire. And the top two stories of the building would be closed until further notice. The safe in Arthur's office had been found open so it was assumed theft was the motive. Arthur was asked about what he kept in the safe. He explained that the main thing of interest was copies of paperwork relating to new developments in the company's products. The other papers were of minimal importance, contracts etc, and copies were held elsewhere. It was assumed therefore that Industrial espionage was the reason behind the break in and fire.
Arthur was questioned as to who had access to his office and who should have been present at the time of the fire. Arthur answered all the questions leaving Merlin out of the frame, except to say he had access but was with him at the time of the incident. Percy was questioned as well as he had been seen with Arthur. He told the investigators that Merlin had been in the car. Arthur agreed that Merlin would be available if needed at a later date. He explained that although Merlin had access to his office he did not have access to the safe. Only Arthur and his PA knew the combination to the safe, it was also protected by a fingerprint identification system.
It was not until mid afternoon before Arthur managed to get home. He had to make arrangements for the staff to be reorganised into the remaining office space and a few empty offices in the next door building. All the computer systems had to be sorted; once the major things had been done Arthur left the rest t his management team and Leon so he could head back home. He got there to find Gwaine waiting for him. He had heard the news and had headed back to London as quickly as he could to support Arthur. But he was somewhat annoyed that no one would tell him what was going on. Hunith had told him that Merlin was asleep upstairs in his rooms and Arthur was at his office but that was all he knew.
He was just about to head upstairs to try to see Merlin when Arthur arrived to calm the man. Arthur explained what had happened and why he couldn't bother Merlin. Gwaine then offered to become more involved and stay in London. Arthur was declining the offer when Kilgarrah arrived back at the house. To Arthur's surprise Kilgarrah suggested Gwaine help.
"Gwaine's family is also a very old one and his presence is likely to be of importance. It seems strange that so many factors have come together at his time. I have been looking into the many links. Gwaine, the two De Lucs, Eylan Smith, Percival Strong and your PA all seemed to have connections with the prophesy. So for once Gwaine I think you may be of some use."
"Gee thanks Kilgarrah, praise indeed, what do you mean have connections?" Gwaine asked
"All the people' I have mentioned seemed to have been about in the time of the original prophesy. That may be important to what happens now." Kilgarrah explained "As do Gaius and my families."
"Spooky" Gwaine said slightly sarcastically.
"Spooky or not Gwaine it seems to follow a pattern. You and Arthur are key to keeping Merlin safe, as he is key to your safety. Together you make a formidable team."
Kilgarrah turned to Arthur "I realise having this reprobate about might be an inconvenience to us all, but I ask you to please put up with him. Just keep him temperate and away from your drinks cupboard."
Arthur laughed "That I can't promise. Are you serious about us all being connected somehow?"
"I am. Just suspend your scepticism for now and go with me please. It will become clearer."