George cleared his throat, "There is a solicitor to see you. Mr James Hengist." The butler handed Merlin the man's card.
What was this all about? A wave of fear washed over Merlin. He hadn't seen Mr Hengist since his brother's death, when they'd been unable to locate Will's testament. They had assumed that the title and property went to Tristan. Dread gathered in the pit of Merlin's stomach, gaining momentum. Was there something wrong?
"Please, George, serve him tea in the parlour while I prepare myself." Then Merlin added," And send for my husband."
The butler bowed, and when he had gone, Merlin raced up the staircase to his room. He rummaged around, looking for something suitable to wear. There was nothing, save the tail coat, which was completely inappropriate.
There was no choice but to continue wearing his old brown breeches and blue tunic. Quickly he tried to tame his messy looking hair. He washed his face and tried to blot some flour spots from his clothes. Merlin prayed it would not take long for George to find Arthur.
Merlin's heart pounding, he took a deep breath. Each step toward the parlour felt like a step closer to execution. He opened the door, preparing for the worst. Mr Hengist sat upon the couch, a cup of tea in his hands. The man's dark-blue wool jacket strained against the buttons, and he brushed the crumbs of some biscuits from his black trousers.
"Merlin Emrys." His brother's solicitor rose and inclined his head in greeting. "Thank you for receiving me." With a warm smile he added, "I'm glad to hear that your husband has safely returned."
"He has, yes." Merlin bade the man sit down. "What business brings you here, Mr Hengist? Have you located Will's testament?"
"I have." The solicitor accepted a fresh cup of tea when Merlin poured it. "As you know, after your brother's untimely death, we spent several months searching for it."
"Tristan inherited the title and lands, didn't he?" Mr Hengist nodded, and Merlin was able to breath again. "That's good, isn't it?"
The solicitor took a sip of tea, his eyes troubled. "I'm afraid there's more. It came to our attention that your uncle Aredian was named legal guardian of the children, instead of you and your husband as we assumed."
Merlin's mind barely registered the solicitor's words. Uncle Aredian? As an elderly widowed gentleman, Aredian had no use for young children. Why would Will have done such a thing?
"Aredian is still in Avalon," Merlin informed Mr Hengist.
"He was. But he recently returned to his estate here, upon hearing of your brother's death. His men contacted me, and, thanks to his efforts, we were able to locate the testament. It seems your brother put it into his safekeeping."
Merlin's suspicions darkened. It seemed a bit convenient for Aredian to suddenly find the testament. He barely remembered his uncle, from when he wa a little boy. But they'd had little contact with him before he'd gone to Avalon, save the occasional letter.
"Why hasn't he come to see us, if he's back?"
"He has invited you and the children to come and visit. Here." Mr Hengist handed Merlin a folded envelope.
Merlin read the contents of the letter, and when he'd finished, he clenched his hands into fists. "H-He expects me to leave the children behind." It was a struggle to control his anger. "Tristan and Freya belong in my care for almost a year now."
"True, yes. But according to the law, they are now your uncle's protection. Unless he agrees to name you as their guardian, you have no choice." The solicitor reached for another biscuit, offering Merlin a sympathetic smile. "I would suggest that you go and ask your uncle to relinquish his rights. He may well agree-"
Merlin cut him off. "I will not give my brother's children to Aredian or anyone else." With a hard stare at the solicitor, Merlin rose to his feet. "Good day."
"Forgive me Mr Emrys, but if you do not abide by the conditions of the testament, your uncle has the right to alert the authorities." Mr Hengist shook his head. "While I hope he would not do so, I beg you not impose such a hardship upon the children."
"I will have a servant escort you to the door, sir," Merlin repeated.
The solicitor sighed. "I am sorry to have upset you, Mr Emrys. I shall send you a copy of the testament for you to pursue at your leisure. And you may wish to answer your uncle's invitation."
Merlin's answer was to crumble up the letter and top it into the hearth. "Good day, sir." Mr Hengist bowed and departed.
Merlin clenched his hands, willing himself to remain calm. He was not going to allow anyone to take Tristan or Freya. Testament or not, they belonged to him. Not his uncle, who hadn't even bothered to come and see him once in almost fifteen years.
At long last, Arthur and Tristan arrived. The boy's hair was rumpled, his face glowing with excitement.
"I rode a horse!" Tristan exclaimed breathlessly. "Arthur thought me how to canter it." The joy in Tristan's voice made Merlin not want to spoil the moment.
"You wanted to see me?" Arthur asked.
"I'll tell you about it later," Merlin replied to Arthur. "I would like to hear about your first ride." Giving Tristan his full attention, Merlin forced a smile while his nephew described his experiences.
Merlin's eyes met his husband'. There was amusement in his expression as he listened to Tristan's boyish excitement. "He did well, though I imagine his little bottom will be sore in the morning."
"I am fine," Tristan insisted. "Can we ride more today?"
Arthur shook his head. "Tomorrow." With a glance down at the empty plate, Arthur asked, "Why don't you go into the kitchen and see if Cook has any more biscuits?"
After Tristan had left, Arthur returned his attention to Merlin. "You look worried," he said. "Is everything alright?"
Arthur reached out to rub the tension from Merlin's neck, and goose-flesh rose up on Merlin's skin. Merlin could smell Arthur's skin, the light scent of shaving soap and the outdoors. It made him want to pull Arthur closer. Merlin wanted so badly to pour out his troubles, to lay his head on Arthur's shoulder and let him relieve the burden of responsibility.
"Will's solicitor, Mr James Hengist, came to speak with us about my brother's testament."
"What did he want?"
"The original testament was finally found. Mr Hengist claims that Will did not name us as guardians of the children. He named my uncle guardian."
Arthur's hand moved down to Merlin's waist. "Have you seen the testament?"
"Not yet. He says he'll send a copy to us." He gripped Arthur's hands in his. "My uncle has invited us to visit and bring the children."
"You're troubled about it. Why?"
"It seems too sudden. Why now? Why wouldn't Aredian have contacted me after Will's death?"
"It takes time for a letter to reach Avalon, Merlin."
Arthur nipped at Merlin's lips, and Merlin found it difficult to think clearly while his husband was touching him. Arthur lowered his mouth to Merlin's neck, sending fierce shivers through his skin.
"Don't, please." Arthur was not taking him seriously. "This is important to me."
"Why are you afraid? Is there something the matter with your uncle?"
"No, there's nothing wrong with Aredian. But I can't understand why he would want custody of small children, at his age. Something feels wrong about this."
"Tristan and Freya are under my protection. You needn't fear." Arthur took Merlin's hand, his thumb caressing his knuckles. "I'll look into the matter. I'll go and talk to your uncle myself, if you wish."
Merlin forced himself to calm down. Arthur had given him his promise. It would have to be enough for now. "Thank you."
Arthur sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. "Earlier today, Tristan told me about your former butler Edwin."
"Edwin Muirden. He worked for us a few years ago."
"If Mr Muirden still lives in the village, I want to pay him a visit tomorrow morning," Arthur said.
"Why?"
"He may know something about the tattoo on my neck. Tristan claimed that Mr Muirden accompanied your brother on a trip to Avalon."
Merlin knew Will had gotten the marking in Avalon, but had never questioned why or what it meant.
"It's not a coincidence that both of us have the tattoos," Arthur said. "My ship must have gone to Avalon when I was away those three months."
"What do you think the symbol means?"
"I don't know. But I intend to find out." Arthur stifled a yawn, and then took Merlin's hand, pulling him forward. "Come to bed."
Merlin's face turned scarlet. How could Arthur think of such a thing now?
Arthur sheepishly smiled at Merlin, "That's not what I had in mind, dear husband."
Arthur stood and beckoned for Merlin to follow. He led him down a corridor and upstairs. At the door to their room, Arthur waited. Merlin waited at the threshold, shaking his head.
"Why do I sense this is not a good idea?"
"You are entirely too suspicious," Arthur remarked. Once inside Arthur sat down on the bed and removed his tunic, boots and breeches. He laid back upon the pillow, his eyes mischievous. "You should remove your clothes too."
"No. And why is that every time I am alone with you, you keep trying to remove my clothing?"
"Because it's fun?" Arthur suggested. Turning serious, he continued, "You cannot sleep in them."
"Sleep?" The idea of sinking into a soft bed was appealing as a dish of strawberry ice. "B-But it's still the late afternoon. They'll be expecting us for supper. And what about the children?"
"George will hold our supper for us. And I feel certain that he won't deny the children food."
Merlin sighed, removing slowly his clothes and leaving him in his undergarment. Arthur patting the pillow beside him, Merlin climbed into bed and Arthur pulled him close. "That's nice." he said.
Arthur's arms surrounded Merlin, warm and strong. The spicy scent of his shaving soap made Merlin want to snuggle into Arthur's neck.
"I slept little last night, between Freya's crying and your snoring outside the door."
"I do not snore."
"Of course you do. And if you snore while I am napping, I'll be sure to kick you."
Merlin grabbed a pillow and squeezed it hard. If Arthur believed Merlin could fall asleep like this, then he had gone mad. Merlin's body craved him, but he refused to weaken.
Beside him, Merlin heard Arthur's breathing grow deep and even. Arthur held him close, Merlin's back up against his chest. It reminded Merlin of the way Arthur had held him the first time he'd made love to him on their wedding night.
Skin to skin, Arthur had treated him with such gentleness. Sadness pricked Merlin's eyelids, for Arthur hadn't loved him then. And Merlin didn't know what Arthur felt for him now.