CHAPTER 25 : WINDING DOWN

Merlin and Toby as AC's with an extra two weeks in residence were again besieged to accept food and things people no longer wanted to take home. He made Toby promise that any nondescript parcel left for him, would be binned as he didn't want a repeat of last term. He figuring that many of the students were just too lazy to take some of the clothes to Oxfam or Cancer Research UK where they would be welcomed with open hands. He told Arthur that he was going to put a sign on his door saying, 'Gone Home! See you next year'.

Merlin was very insistent that he didn't need plants and food which was already stale-dated. Even though the gift-givers assured that the food would be good for another two weeks at least. Arthur had told him to hold his ground as otherwise he'd be paying for a skip to dump all the stuff before he left.

Beth and Tina were also offered things but most were toiletries and the like but Beth had been given an unopened box of shortbread biscuits and two beers. She just laughed as they were from someone she knew from their staircase.

Richard gave Merlin two bottles of wine, he knew he didn't drink but he said that maybe his friend Arthur would like it. Merlin laughed and accepted it on his behalf.

Someone else passed by with a guitar case and called out, "Mislaid my guitar anyone interested in an empty case?" They all shook their heads and laughing said, "No, thanks!"

It was a relaxing time as everyone seemed to be in high spirits as they completed another year. There would be a period of euphoria until emails started arriving to notify students of their results.

It was very noisy in the residence and people seemed to be wandering around and partying all night. Merlin at the end of his corridor had less trouble sleeping than the residents near the staircases. Toby said that next year he intended to spend the last Wednesday and Thursday nights of the regular student's final week at home.

Merlin had tried to say seriously, "What and miss all this bedlam" but at that moment someone came down the stairs with a life sized mannequin dressed as a pirate and they both lost it.

The person in charge of this monstrosity said, "I offered to store it and the bugger it belongs to has taken off and left it with me. Would either of you gentlemen be interested in giving it a home for the summer?" Both Toby and Merlin politely declined; Merlin suggesting that the drama society might have a use for it.

The AC's still had tutorials on the Friday, and they were happy to escape to the relative sanity of the tutors' studies. However because of the general upheaval, the tutors decided to give them early dismissals reminding them to be ready to get back to the grindstone the following Monday.

Merlin locked his door and left. Drake reminding him that he'd see him Sunday evening before eleven. Merlin smiled, Drake had been a godsend over the past three terms. He knew why most students held the Porters in such high regard.

-0-0-

Merlin almost felt as though he were on holidays himself as he let himself into Arthur's condo.

He walked into the kitchen and put the two bottles on wine on the counter before hoisting himself up on it. "They're from Richard with love! What are you doing?"

"Preparing a congratulatory meal!"

"A bit premature, we still have two weeks to go…"

"True for you but not for me and I want to celebrate, there's no use thinking of going out until the marauding hordes have left. So, I decided to invite you to share this meal."

"What's on the menu?"

"A fresh green salad already prepared, some meat or fish, veggies, a special cauliflower dish and dessert."

"Sounds good, what's the fish?

"Especially for you a halibut steak." Merlin's eyes lit up, they were really dining high on the hog.

"…and the meat?"

"Hasenpfeffer!"

Merlin looked troubled, "What's that? I don't like the sound of it. I don't have to eat it do I?"

No, just have a taste of it. Our Scout Master cooked it for us while we were camping and it was delicious."

"Sounds as if it is probably something you caught or otherwise it was a recent traffic fatality you picked up off the road. You know 'Be prepared' and all that!"

Merlin was all for going over to the range and lifting the lid on the casserole but Arthur stopped him, "It still needs to cook for another half hour." Arthur wanted to surprise Merlin and have him taste it before he knew what it was.

"It's not chevaline or horse meat is it?"

"Merlin, would I do that to you, you'd never forgive me. No, it's just meat that is available in butcher shops." He suddenly said, "Oh, no you don't!" as Merlin reached for Arthur's iPad to see if he could figure out what the 'hasn't-a-feather' or whatever it was called, was.

Merlin slipped off the counter and wrapped his arms around Arthur, "You take such good care of me, getting me fish instead of that pepper feather or whatever it is. If it's time to set the table, I can do it."

Arthur still insisted that they didn't eat on his good yellow sofa. Merlin went along with it because he understood that it was something Arthur had specifically purchased for himself not something which a designer had decided would look right in one of his father's houses.

"How long for the halibut?"

"If you want it fried under eight minutes, in the oven maybe twice that."

"Arthur, you are a fount of culinary knowledge!"

"Well, I had some help as Laurence had his mother on the phone and she gave me some pointers. Put the TV on, as my casserole isn't ready for another 20 minutes."

They listened to the news, with Arthur sitting in the corner of the sofa and Merlin lying against him. He said, "Growing up, I loved cuddling against my Mum, regardless of what was going on outside, I felt safe and loved in the house." He sat up and pulling Arthur's head to him, whispering, "I have a feeling that you, Mr Pendragon, have usurped her position but I don't think she'll mind one bit." He reached up and kissed Arthur and the room fell quiet.

They both jumped when the oven timer went off.

"Up you get, Merlin, the kitchen beckons." Arthur checked his casserole giving it a quick stir and promptly turning down the oven.

He checked the lower oven and the temperature was right for the fish which Merlin seasoned to his liking before putting it in.

Arthur opened the white wine and poured two glasses. "We have a reason to celebrate. The year is almost over and you'll be off on your holidays."

Soon the fish was ready and Arthur brought the vegetables to the table. Merlin was more interested in the fish. "This is fantastic, Arthur, you're a chef!"

"Well, we'll see when I serve myself," he served a portion from the casserole for himself and put a small piece of the meat with a little gravy on a separate plate for Merlin. "Smell it first! Is it good?"

"Very nice, I can smell wine and herbs." He used a spoon and tasted the gravy and licked his lips, nodding at Arthur. "Nice taste!"

"Do you want to try the meat? It won't make you sick I promise."

Merlin broke a piece the size of his thumb nail and tentatively put it in his mouth. He let it sit on his tongue and when it did't make him gag he chewed it and swallowed.

"So?"

"Tastes like a chicken. Not bad...so is it chicken?"

"No!" Arthur said, "That's the general opinion, actually its rabbit!"

"Yuck!"

"You just said it was nice..."

"Well, that was before I found out it was a bunny! You have your pepper-feather or whatever you called it but I'll stick with my fish."

"Merlin Emrys, I really love you," Arthur said smiling.

For the rest of the weekend, whenever Arthur was looked at him, Merlin would run his hand up the side of his head imitating a rabbit grooming its ears and twitch his noise.

"You're going to get stuck like then you'll have some explaining to do especially to Dr Ellis when she makes her final visit."

Laurence came in and asked how the rabbit was. Arthur said there was some in the fridge and it just needed to be warmed up. Merlin said nothing and waited until Laurence was sitting at the table enjoying a glass of wine and the rabbit, and when Laurence looked at him, he did his little rabbit routine.

Laurence started to laugh and said, "Oh, I see, Arthur, got you to try it too!"

Arthur said, "Don't encourage him! If he's not being a rabbit he's a fish opening and closing his mouth." Merlin obediently changed to his fish routine.

Laurence nodded laughing as he said, "Was the fish good?"

"Excellent and I heard we have your mother to thank for that. It was cooked to perfection." Merlin said smiling.

"And did you like the taste of the rabbit? "

"The stew smelled delicious and I thought that I was maybe eating chicken. Better not let the twins know you ate it as I'm sure they'll never forgive you."

"As a matter of fact our grandmother in Ireland also likes rabbit and we get roast rabbit or stew when we visit her."

Arthur laughed, "Good thing you were born during this century, Merlin, as way back, you would have considered it a treat. Probably would have been your job to hunt them but I would think your mother as she is a kind person would have saved the pelts and made you a cute little fur hat or a vest to keep you warm in the winter."

By the time they left the table, Arthur and Laurence had finished the wine.

As he helped Merlin clear the table, Arthur asked, "What is your plan for this week, Laurence? We know that Flopsy here still has courses?"

"If it's all right with you, I thought I'd go back home on Wednesday. Parents are going to France for a couple of days next weekend and even though Gawaine is capable of looking after the twins, it's his last week at uni and my mother feels that it would be expecting a bit much of him. He's taken the year seriously and I think they expect he's going to go off the rails and they'd rather he didn't take the twins with him as they still have school."

Table cleared and leftovers in the fridge, Merlin slipped his arm around Arthur's waist, saying, "Acting as Mr Flopsy's agent, I want to state that unless he is treated with respect, my client will retire to his burrow in the guest room and you will have to entertain yourself!"

Arthur laughed and said, "Before creeping into our room during the middle of the night as the sofa bed is not as comfy as ours."

Laughing, Laurence said, "As I do not intend to become embroiled in your bedding arrangements, I'm turning in. Thanks for the wine and the rabbit. 'Night!" He left them to go to his own room.

Arthur and Merlin sat down on the sofa where Arthur easily dissuaded Merlin from hopping off to his solitary burrow. He'd half heartedly protested, "That's not fair, Arthur!"

"Sure it is, Merlin! Remember all's fair in love and war!"

Merlin didn't need a second invitation and Arthur led him down to their bedroom...

-0-0-

Saturday was damp and rainy so they didn't venture out until late afternoon. Merlin wanted to attend the end of year Mass and reception which followed. He'd regularly attended the Newman Centre gatherings and was pleased to see that Tina and Toby were also there.

Toby said, "Where's your side kick?"

Nodding in the direction of the stairs, Merlin said, "Talking to Fr Tom, I came over here to get a table and some coffee. Grab two chairs, as I think Steven and Liz are joining us."

Arthur finally wandered over but not before Toby had seen him hand an envelope to the Rector and been enthusiastically thanked. Merlin pulled out the chair beside him, saying, "It's sort of sad as there are some people here whom we'll never see again. The Lexor twins are leaving for the States mid week and have been accepted at UCLA for their masters."

"What are planning to do over the summer, Tina?" Liz said.

"I going home to Hong Kong to visit my family and then staying with Joanie in Paris for the last two weeks before I'm due back here. That is if they want me back."

Toby put his arms across her shoulders and said, "I'm sure they will and I certainly do!"

"I do declare a budding romance…" Steven said and Tina blushed. "How about you two?" He asked Arthur.

"Well, nothing is finalised but I'm sure the time will be well spent."

"I'm going home for a time and Arthur owes his father some time in the family business."

"How about you?"

"As I'll be going into my senior year and my mother doesn't want me overtaxing myself with work," Steven paused to grin at the others, "I'm going to do absolutely nothing until I get bored out of my skull and then I might give my father a hand with the horses." Noticing raised eyebrows, he elaborated, "British Warmbloods, good for dressage and show jumping. Though as my mother says, they'll eat us out of house and home. Problem is my father's loathe to part with any of his favourites and just refers to them as lawn ornaments!"

Arthur nodded at Liz knowing damn well that Steve's family could financially afford the father's hobby.

They soon broke up. Merlin took time to thank the team of volunteers who had looked after the coffee after the Sunday morning Masses during the year. He made sure that he thanked Fr Tom telling him that he intended to be back next year. Fr. Tom said, "Have a good summer, Merlin. Arthur was very generous, his donation will go a long way."

Pretending that he knew about it he just nodded. He wouldn't ask Arthur as he knew that if he wanted him to know, he'd tell him.

Arthur and Merlin made their way back to the Condo after dropping off Tina and Toby.

-0-0-

Sunday was a lazy day, they woke late and as Merlin made his way to the kitchen, he met up with Laurence who was leaving to spend a day with Mac and Rob at Rob's parents place in Bournemouth. "Hope the weather stays clear for you," Merlin said.

"No trouble as there are plenty of pubs. Remind, Arthur, that I'll be back on Monday."

-0-0-

Arthur said after lunch, "I wish I could wrap you up and take you away with me for the whole summer. I'm going to really miss you. We should plan for the summer I know that I will have to spend time in London or wherever my father sends me but we can certainly get together for a fortnight."

Merlin and Arthur spent the day relaxing. No studies, no discussing university life, just lounging around indoors. Merlin playing with his camera knew that he was due back in residence by eleven. Arthur grumbled that life would be a lot easier if he was sharing his condo.

"Don't know how much studying I'd get done as my heart beats double each time I see you. I need to keep my feet on the ground and my head clear."

"I could do that too! You see, I would..."

Merlin grinned and snapped a photo of Arthur laughing. "Over the summer, I'd like to get back into photography. I can't believe that I'm already wishing my life away. I spent years planning and studying to get here and now I am planning for the summer."

"Do you have to get a job?"

"Not really as I can live at home and my bank account is healthy with the scholarships and bursaries. I live a frugal life thanks to your frequent generosity. I am also interested in a course being offered here this summer. Tentatively I've been accepted but I'll have to find accommodation as my room will be rented but it can be done."

Arthur smiled with delight, "You could use my condo, I'll be spending some time in London as I have to work a couple of weeks with PenD. Have to keep a hand in as my father says, or should I say…insists. My summer course starts in a month, I can join you here and in the meantime you could invite me to join you here for the odd weekend."

"Why would it be odd?"

"You know what I mean!"

"Arthur, you wouldn't need an invitation, it's your condo, I will only be a non-paying lodger."

"That has a nice sound to it, maybe we could work out terms which would suit both of us."

Merlin smiled, "How about I offer to apply for the position of housekeeper and general maintenance man, understandably with benefits?"

"Great idea, but exactly what do you know about condo maintenance?"

"Arthur, you insult me, I know how to use a phone! I'd phone the maintenance company and they can take care of it."

"Right, now that you have somewhere to stay, you can notify the college that you are interested in taking the course. We'll come to an agreement, if I heard rightly you did mention benefits, didn't you?"

"I most certainly did. Wouldn't like to get out of practice…!"

"You know, we'll have to spend at least a weekend at the seaside. What's a summer without a walk on the sands? We'll stay in a lovely hotel on the coast called The Eight Steps."

Merlin took a few minutes to catch on, Nirvana again, and then started laughing, "You, Arthur, have a one track mind!"

"Well, you could bring your camera and we could for all intents and purposes tell the others that we are going on a Photographic Workshop which includes a tour of the West of England."

"…and what happens if they want to join us?"

"No trouble, we just tell them that the tour is full as it's very popular and most people book well in advance."

"Arthur, have you always had this ease at making up excuses?"

Merlin noticed a sad look cross Arthur's face before he confessed that he never made up stories when his father was around as he was not impressed. "I remember one summer, I had just arrived home and had seven weeks of freedom ahead of me. Aoife, the daughter of our next door neighbours told me that she was going to Austria on a holiday so, not to be outdone, I told her that during the summer I was going to stay with the gypsies and live in a caravan and visit exciting places in Ireland.

"Somehow the story got back to my father when one of his friends mentioned that they thought he was very enlightened allowing his young son to go off with strangers. I was hauled on the carpet and yelled at for lying and making a fool of him. He punished me by sending my pony away for the summer and insisting that I was tutored in French."

"That's awful, how could he ruin your whole summer?"

"Well, it turned out not too badly as I found out that Aoife's family had my pony in their stables and we used to go riding anyway and the French was easy as it wasn't like school lessons but Michelle and I went out and about and I tried to speak French to her. I thought she was very clever being able to speak two languages. She turned out to be the daughter of one of my father's associates and sometimes we still see each other through business." He paused smiling and then added, "I'm ready for something to eat, how about an early supper? …and then I'll teach you a few French words!"

Merlin went to shake his head but on the other hand, thought that it might be very entertaining…