"Why couldn't we have gone to somewhere cheaper? There were no prices anywhere, I bet they charge a fortune" Merlin muttered
"Yes they will charge a fortune. This is Savile Row known worldwide for their tailoring, and Norton and Sons is the best shop in Savile Row. Stop you muttering" Arthur shook his head in despair.
Peter collected the car and they went back to the house.
When they arrived Gwen brought them a coffee and smiled as Merlin moaned her about his recent shopping trip.
"I must admit Harold is a bit pompous, I bet he loved how you were dressed. I'm surprised he let you in his premises."
"I don't think he would but he smelt Arthur's money, horrid man. I nearly turned him into a toad"
Gwen giggled "He is a bit toady"
"Just you two behave, and Merlin don't you dare turn my tailor into a toad or any other animal. You hear me, or I will put you in the stocks"
"They don't have stocks anymore!" came the quick reply from Merlin
"Don't you worry I can soon get some made" Arthur just made out Merlin's quiet mutter "I'll turn you into a toad" He chose to ignore it in case he carried out his threat. After all it didn't pay to upset a Wizard too much. Two days later Harold arrived with the suits and Merlin was made by Arthur to try them on.
"See they fit" he muttered after he had tried the second one on.
Harold looked scandalised.
"Of course they do, Harold is an excellent tailor. But it's nice to see the finished product."
Arthur turned to Harold. "Send the bill in as normal Harold. Have you kept his measurements?
I'm sure I will need to order again for him"
"Of course Mr Pendragon, a pleasure to do business with you as always" as Harold turned to leave Merlin's eyes flashed gold and Harold tripped on the edge of the carpet. Arthur quickly put out a hand and stopped him falling.
"Sorry Mr Pendragon Sir, I'm not usually that clumsy" Harold looked flustered
"Not to worry no harm done" Arthur reassured the tailor and glared at Merlin over his shoulder.
After Harold had left Arthur turned to Merlin "That was childish"
"Well he shouldn't be such a creep, he's lucky I didn't do something more permanent to him"
Keep one of your suits on. I want to see Gwaine's face when he gets here. You scrub up well, I bet you'd look good in a tuxedo"
"Don't you dare, or you'll be a toad or perhaps a …..donkey"
"Was that you? Did you change me into a donkey?"
"That's for me to know and you to guess" Merlin ran off down to the kitchen. Gwen threw him out after approving of this new look.
"You get out of here you'll ruin that suit. It cost a fortune you know"
"How much?" He asked before leaving
"I don't know about £2000 or £3000 I guess, the shirts are about £250, so get out of the kitchen!"
Gwen heard a strange strangled sound as the door shut.
Merlin went and found Arthur "Did you just spend over £7,000 on a few clothes?"
"Well yes, it was nearer £9,000 with the ties socks and shoes. Why do you ask"
"That's wrong! I might not be up to date with prices but I bought my jeans and t shirts for less than £20 when I got here!"
"And it showed; now stop moaning and come and sit down for a bit"
Gwaine arrived with some papers for Arthur to sign. He stopped dead as he spotted Merlin.
"Stand up let's have a look at you. Well in this case it is true clothes maketh the man"
"What's this a cattle show" came the belligerent reply
"My god, Merlin! You look good enough to eat! Now my wizard friend you will have all the ladies and some of the men after you now, in fact if I wasn't married I'd be after you" Gwaine leered
"Only because they will think I'm made of money! Do you know how much this cost?"
"My friend you have no idea, I get my suits from the same source but I don't look that good. Don't run yourself down"
"See I told you they were worth the money" Arthur retorted "You should have heard the fuss earlier Gwaine"
Merlin went up to his room and changed back into his jeans.
"I'll keep the suits for meetings O.K." he stared at the two men as they rolled their eyes at the change.
"Well that's an incentive for me to turn up" grinned Gwaine.
Arthur had been asked to attend the Houses of Parliament to attend a select committee to discuss what he was doing and the legality of his actions. He was attending with Gwaine, Leon, Eylan his lawyers.
So at nine o'clock in the morning a few days later they set off. This left Merlin to his own devices. He decided to go to see Lance and find out what was happening about Gaius. He walked into the office just as the PA was putting down the phone. Well Merlin, just the man, I've just spoken to Gaius. Would you like to come with me to Cornwall?"