The weeks up to the wedding were good, accept that is for the constant meetings with Morgana about venues, clothes and food. In the end the two men just gave her free reign, knowing that she had too much taste to do anything to crazy. She was even giving them the honeymoon as a wedding present. Arthur couldn't believe just how happy he was, somehow this time round with Merlin was even better, perhaps because he knew just how empty his life was without Merlin in it. Merlin was also more content than he had ever been, Arthur had learnt not to be quite so in charge all the time and was more relaxed. Merlin put it down to no longer being in the army. Merlin still got down moments but they were getting less and less. He was seeing his counsellor once a month instead of weekly and Lance was happy with his progress. That didn't mean that Arthur was any less protective, in fact he was more so but he was trying to hide it better. That was until Merlin's 'blip'
Merlin had gone out shopping alone to get a present for Megan's upcoming birthday. Arthur was back at work part time, mornings only, Gwen had suggested a particular toy so Merlin had headed into the city to find it for her. Whist he was there he decided to go into Arthur's favourite tailors and get Arthur a couple of new shirts. He walked and waited to be served. As he was stood there the shop bell rang and another customer walked in. Merlin didn't even look round. As the previous custom left Merlin walked forward to be served. But the person behind pushed in.
"Gregory I have come in to collect my suit" the voice was one that Merlin hoped never to hear again, it was Uther Pendragon.
But Merlin wasn't going to be treated in such a manner. "Excuse me but I was next to be served"
Uther turned and looked at Merlin as if he were something unpleasant he had stepped on. "Should you be in a shop like this, surely a high street retailer is more your line" the Uther turned to the assistant. "Gregory my suit, this…..person can wait."
Merlin was incensed "I have come in for two shirts, white with a pale grey vertical strip" he gave Arthur size and placed his debit card on the counter.
Gregory looked form one to the other clearly not sure what to do. As he went toward Merlin, Uther spoke out once "I'm sure my custom is worth more than that of this person and his sugar daddy"
Merlin turned to Uther, his face bright red from embarrassment "You are an ill-mannered man and I can only bless the day you disowned your only son for loving someone."
"You are a drunk and a drain on society, I believe the common term for you is an oxygen thief, and you are after all common that showed when you were found living as a drunken tramp you truly are the scum of the earth" with that he turned to Gregory "My suit, should I have to ask again I'm sure my custom will be valued elsewhere"
Merlin turned and walked out the shop, wondering if that was how people really saw him. He pushed through the crowds shaking his mind blank.
Arthur got back from work to find the flat still empty, as expected he knew Merlin was going shopping. It was another sign of how well he had progressed, that he had started to engage in normal activities. The phone rang as Arthur was making himself a coffee, he turned to answer it "Arthur Pendragon"
"Captain Pendragon this id Gregory from Buckley's Gentleman's Outfitters, Merlin Emrys- Pendragon came in earlier and left his debit card behind"
Arthur rolled his eyes "Sorry about that, I'll call it for it tomorrow could you keep it safe please and thank you for letting us know"
"Sir before you put the phone down I think I should apologise for an incident whilst he was here" Gregory didn't sound like his normal confident self and that immediately put Arthur on edge.
"What happened?" Arthur demanded
"Unfortunately your father came in immediately after Mr Ermys-Pendragon and there was a bit of an incident, I stress it was not your fiancés fault and I would have served him first had he remained in the shop" Gregory went on to explained exactly what happened.
Arthur thanked him and put down the phone, then he started to worry. He would sort Uther out later but Merlin was his priority. He tried to phone Merlin and getting voice mail left a message. Then he sent a text, he was pondering what to do next, he was sure Merlin would have been very upset by the encounter, also he wouldn't have been able to finish his shopping as Arthur was sure he wouldn't have had enough cash. Hopefully that meant Merlin would be walking through the door very shortly. Deciding to wait so not to cross paths if he went looking Arthur sat down but kept ringing Merlin's number.
It was an hour later when Merlin finally answered his phone, but he was clearly drunk "Lo"
"Merlin love where are you?" Arthur was trying to keep his cool.
"Dunno…sorry Afer" came the drunken reply "es right m no good"
"Merlin love I heard what happened, he was wrong now where are you and I'll come and collect you" Arthur was feeling frantic by now.
There was a long gap "Park…..dunno were…sorry shouldn't ave"
"Merlin did you walk far from the shop?"
"Yeh….didn no what to do, he was horrid…..but right" the voice was very slurred
"Merlin look around what can you see? Tell me and I'll find you"
"Grass …w…ater…can see ducks"
"What else my love what buildings?"
"Yeh buildings lots….tired….sleep…."
"Merlin! Talk to me" Arthur tried again and again but could hear no more accept cars in the distance. Keeping the line open he picking up the house phone and rang his sister and explained then between them they rang as many of their friends as they could and started to arrange a search. First places were Hyde Park and Regents Park as the most likely. Arthur was going to Regents Park but keeping his phone on in case Merlin spoke to him again. Morgana was going collect him so everyone else could use her phone number if they found Merlin first.
Arthur was frantic with worry, Merlin could vomit and inhale it, he could fall in the lake, he could get beaten up, and his concern list was growing by the minute. Gwaine and Percy had been about to go off duty and talked several of their mates into joining the search they would do Hyde Park. Arthur kept talking down the phone but hearing nothing. As they reached the Park they got out the car and headed to the lake. Morgana was already threatening an absent Uther with everything she could think of.
