Chapter 23

Hunith's visit was lovely. She didn't stay long, but promised she'd be there for the opening of Camelot in a couple of months with Freya and Matthew too. She slept in one of the spare rooms in Arthur and Merlin's house. Often through the day while they were at work, she would go to see Gaius. Then she would spend the evenings with her son and son-in-law. Sometimes they would go out to eat and other times one or all of them would cook.

Merlin was moving around almost normally by then and nearly ready to start using his prosthetic leg again. They'd been avoiding it until he recovered mostly so he could keep weight off his hip but using crutches all the time left his arms tired and hands blistered. He wanted to be walking around properly for the opening of Camelot.

"Merlin, sweetie," Hunith had said one night when Arthur was out walking the dogs, "You look so tired. Is everything alright?"

"I'm just worried. Everything that's going on, it's always at the back of my mind. If I'm admitted to hospital even for one or two nights, I get taken away from Arthur. No matter what the reason. And I'm still worried about him mentally. I don't know how long it'll take for him to get better properly."

"Arthur trusts you. If you got separated for a little bit, it would be difficult but it won't damage your relationship at all. I'm certain of that. If anything, it might make his relationships with everyone else stronger."

"You think it might be a good thing?"

"I think that if it does happen, it won't be disastrous but ideally we don't want it."

Merlin nodded thoughtfully, "I worry about him. I'm scared he wouldn't tell me if something was bothering him."

"You have to trust that he will."

"Mum?"

"Yes?"

"We didn't tell any of our friends but part of the arrangement was that if I ended up hurt or ill and was taken away from Arthur, I would have to stay in a hospital facility. I couldn't live with anyone else. So, if it did happen," Merlin sighed, "Could you come and stay with him? He listens to you and you always know how to help him."

"Of course, sweetie."

Camelot was opened with a huge, fancy dinner in the restaurant which was on the very bottom floor of the five-story building along with the bar/ club at the back. Every floor was open for people to walk around and look at but none of the facilities were available for use except the restaurant and the function room on the floor above. The first floor, aside from the huge function room, consisted of an expansive library which was filled from floor to ceiling with all sorts of books, some in normal print, others with large font or coloured paper, some in braille. The second floor was a gym, spa and swimming pool. This was the one they'd struggled with the most in terms of making it accessible to as many people as possible but of course, they'd tried their very hardest. Above that was the bowling alley and soft play area for children. The top two floors had been converted into large flats which were available for rent.

Of course, everything was as inclusive as it possibly could be in as many ways as possible, just like their hotels were.

It had taken a year of endless work and millions of pounds worth of their money to get everything sorted. Honestly, they were surprised at how quickly they'd got it done. Naturally, that could only mean disaster was coming.

Everything had been going amazingly. They'd done photos and interviews and tours and all the feedback so far had been positive. Everyone had eaten a posh dinner in the restaurant which Leon and his team of chefs had worked days to prepare. When it happened, they were separated, some people upstairs in the function room, some people downstairs in the restaurant or bar and others on their way in between.

It started with the lights going out and the electricity going off. Music stopped and with it, conversation. Merlin, Arthur, Hunith, Freya and Matthew, who were all together by the bar upstairs in the function room, shared a look. Downstairs, Morgana, Leon, Gwaine and Percival, who were in the bar, hurried to find Gwen, Lancelot and Elyan in the restaurant.

"What's happened?" Morgana hissed quietly. The guests in the room were staring at them expectantly and chatting nervously amongst themselves.

"Power cut?" Percival suggested.

Leon looked out the window, "If it is, only we've been affected."

"It's a health and safety issue," Gwen said, "We need to get out."

"Give it a minute," Lancelot suggested, "They might come back on."

"It's alright, everyone," Morgana announced loudly, "There's no need to worry."

"Was this meant to happen?"

"No," Morgana admitted, "But we'll get it sorted. For now, we recommend everyone make their way outside slowly just as a precaution."

Upstairs, after receiving a message from Leon on the walkie-talkies all the staff were using for the event, Arthur was giving the guests there a similar message. Freya and Matthew had gone to locate anyone on any of the other floors.

Arthur took Merlin's hand, "Stay close to me." Everyone was feeling strangely unnerved by what was going on.

The lights started sparking not long after people had started to leave, prompting multiple terrified screams. The staff were positioned at various points on the stairs, next to lifts and beside doors, ready to help and making sure everyone was moving safely. They managed to keep their calm at the beginning of the sparking, only urging their guests to move as fast as they could.

Freya and Matthew ran down the stairs to Merlin and Arthur, "There's no one on any of the floors upstairs. We shut and locked all the doors once we were sure."

"Good."

"You should know, though, that there's nothing wrong with the electrics upstairs," Matthew supplied, "The lights and everything are still working fine."

"Alright. Thank you, get yourselves out," Arthur said.

"Where's mum?" Freya asked Merlin.

"Don't know. I told her to leave but she might be helping somewhere."

The sparking only got worse. Tiny fires were starting to break out everywhere and Arthur could see the worry it was starting to enforce in Merlin. His eyes were flickering between all the different flames in the room and he'd instinctively got as close to Arthur as he possibly could.

"It's ok," Arthur whispered, feeling slightly like he should have sent Merlin down with his sister, "Look, there's only a few more people now, then we can go downstairs and we'll be out of here." Once the last of the guests were on their way down the stairs, Arthur gripped Merlin's hand, "We have to check there's no one left behind anywhere. You can stay here while I look?"

Merlin shook his head and clung to Arthur's arm, feeling pathetically overwhelmed given how strong he usually was in dangerous circumstances. They made their way around the floor, checking everywhere and closing doors behind them as they went. The electricity was still sparkling and the fires were only growing. But now, the ceiling was starting to crack and bend too.

Arthur and Merlin ran towards the staircase and began making their way down. All their friends were at the bottom, motioning for them to hurry up. They were barely half way down when the ceiling gave in, collapsing on top of them and pushing them down the rest of the way.

They were all knocked out briefly, just long enough for them to wake up with their surroundings looking completely alien and them to be a little disorientated.

"Is everyone alright?" Morgana's voice called out with a cough.

There were grumbled responses and shuffling noises as they tried to free themselves from whatever they were stuck under. At some point, the sprinkler system had kicked in somewhat half-heartedly combat the fires so they were all being showered gently. In many ways, the water was only making the situation more dangerous. Yes, it would help with the fires, but the fires were electrical and there would be electricity still running.

Arthur could feel Merlin shaking next to him and hear him trying to keep his breathing steady.

"Merlin?" he prompted gently, so as not to alert their friends, "It's alright, we're all fine."

"No, no," Merlin mumbled.

"What's wrong?"

"It's like everything," Merlin cried.

"What do you mean?"

"Every accident," Merlin confirmed shakily, "Rolled into one. The hotel and the crashes and the caves and the stairs and the ferry and the beach and the fires and t-"

"Ok, it's ok," Arthur was horrified to understand. Everything happening around them now was reminding him of a previous accident he'd been in where someone had got hurt. The fires brought back memories from the car crash where his father had died. The feeling of ceiling tiles and bricks on top of him was only too similar to the second car crash he'd been in with Arthur and their adventure in the caves in Scotland when they'd collapsed. He and Arthur had just been pushed down the stairs and the incident in their old house years ago when he'd fallen down their stairs had traumatised him. No doubt the water from the sprinklers was making him think of his recent issues with the storm at sea which had sunk their ferry and split them all up, as well as the rising tide at the beach which had nearly cost two children and Merlin their lives.

Of course, to top it all off, it was a disaster in the very same building with the very same name and very similar circumstances to where Merlin had lost not only his leg but also, more importantly, his little brother.

"It's come full cycle," Merlin gasped, "Started here, ends here. Everything's happening again!"

"No, Merlin. We're ok, everyone's ok. The guests got out safely and we're not in any danger here. No one's badly hurt."

Merlin whimpered and Arthur just about managed to move around and see his face under all the rubble they were trapped beneath. There was a gleam of self-loathing in Merlin's eyes that Arthur hated. Apparently something deep inside his husband was trying to keep himself together and be strong but it was being smothered by terrible memories and horror.

"Arthur?" Gwaine's voice called out, "What's happening?"

Arthur explained as quickly as he could while still desperately trying to free himself so he could hold Merlin properly. A few of his friends swore in response.

"Can anyone move?" Arthur asked desperately, "I really need to get him out."

"I think I could probably get to you," Percival offered, "Give me a minute."

Arthur continued to talk to Merlin reassuringly while Percival heaved whatever was off him away and carefully came over. Arthur was freed fairly easily and then he helped Percival get Merlin. Every so often, Merlin would force out an apology or mutter something to himself as he tried to gain control over his emotions but he was failing miserably. Arthur gathered Merlin up in his arms and kept saying, "Help is coming, it won't be long," or, "No one's hurt, you're safe with me."

The ceiling above them was completely gone, exposing wiring and tubing and all sorts of other no doubt dangerous things. The walls seemed to be mostly in tact but the door was, naturally, sealed off and there were some areas where the walls had been ruined or even knocked down. There were fires everywhere which were growing in size steadily and the floor was soaked, meaning they all had to step carefully.

Percival went about quickly, helping everyone up who needed the help.

"Is anyone hurt?" Arthur asked.

"Not seriously."

"We should all stay together," Morgana suggested, "It'll be easier to get us out."

"Come over to us," Arthur suggested.

"You're furthest from the doors."

"The doors which are blocked off an unusable," Arthur argued, "Besides, I don't feel comfortable carrying Merlin across and he probably isn't up for walking at the minute." That was a fair enough assessment. Merlin was gripping Arthur's shirt tighter than he'd ever held anything. His entire body was shaking, he was sobbing into Arthur's shoulder and he wasn't paying attention to anything around him, probably lost in a sea of tragic memories. It was the worst panic attack Arthur had ever seen Merlin suffer, not that there had ever really been that many. From time to time, something would trigger one but Merlin was amazingly strong mentally despite everything he'd been through. Things made him anxious or sad but he would always be up for tacking them. This was potentially the most upset Arthur had seen Merlin.

"We'll come over," Lancelot decided.

"Be careful."

Arthur did move slightly but only to get away from an incoming fire and be able to hold Merlin more comfortably.

"Can I do anything?" Morgana, the first person to arrive, asked.

"Find a way out?"

Morgana smiled sympathetically, left for a couple of seconds so she could help Gwaine over a puddle of water which had several lose cables strewn in it, then returned and checked Merlin over for any external injuries.

Soon, all the friends were huddled together in a corner by the stairs, as far away from anything electrical or flammable as they could possibly get. Arthur was sitting beside Merlin, constantly talking to him to try and bring him out his panic.

"Is it like this on every floor?" Elyan asked.

"I don't think so," Arthur said, "Freya said there were only issues on this one and the one above."

At the sound of his sister's name, Merlin's head snapped up and he looked around frantically.

"We saw her leave, Merlin," Gwen informed him, "To help your mum and Gaius. They all got out unhurt."

"They're fine, Merls," Arthur underlined, truly despising how this situation was forcing Merlin to act so unlike himself. It was making him, his friends and even Merlin uncomfortable and on edge.

"Are we the only ones in here?"

"We made sure all the guests and the rest of the staff got out," Morgana said.

"You should have got out when you could," Arthur told them, "Why did you wait for us?"

"We stick together," Gwaine said simply.

"Never leave a man behind," Leon agreed.

The sound of sirens outside made them all sigh in relief. Soon, the fires would engulf the room entirely and there wouldn't be anywhere safe to sit.

"Arthur," Merlin managed to get out.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry."

"Why? You didn't break the lights, did you?"

"No."

"So you don't have anything to be sorry for."

"I'm sorry for breaking down."

"You couldn't help it. It's understandable."

"You still shouldn't have had to deal with it."

"Don't be silly."

Merlin still had his eyes squeezed shut, head buried in Arthur's shoulder and shaking hands clenched into fists while his body trembled. "It's too much, Arthur. Everything all at once."

"It's going to be fine," Arthur insisted, "We're going to get out. Can you hear the sirens outside?"

"They'll take me to hospital, Arthur. They'll take me away!"

"Don't think about that," Arthur hushed, "You're not hurt, are you?"

"I might be by the time we get out."

"No you won't be."

There was shouting from somewhere above them.

"They're coming from upstairs," Lancelot coughed, covering his mouth to try and deter the smoke which was moving towards them considerably faster than the fire.

"Merlin, cover your mouth and nose," Arthur said urgently, fishing around in his pocket for his handkerchief to give to Merlin, "Try not to breath in any smoke."

Two figures began to appear on the stairs dressed in thick clothes and helmets. The firefighters made their way over to the group and asked if everyone could walk alright. They said that there was a clear path up the stairs to the second floor and out one of the windows. They moved together, gripping tightly to each other's arms. One of the firemen walked in front of them, the other behind. The first floor looked pretty much the same as the ground floor had. Soaked with water from the sprinklers, half on fire and covered in dust and rubble.

The second floor, however, looked fine. Completely normal. That was at least some relief. The damage wasn't the worst it could have been. They reached the window which had been completely broken in to allow better access in and out. Everyone was slightly nervous about the idea of climbing out.

"It's completely safe," one of the firemen said, "One by one, we'll get you into the lift with me and lowered down. Right, ladies first?"

Morgana happily went before Gwen who was slightly on edge about the height. Once on the ground, she was whisked away by a paramedic to get checked over. Gwen went down next, followed by Elyan and then Leon.

"Merlin," Arthur prompted, "Go on."

"I want to stay with you."

"We can't go at the same time," Arthur reminded him.

"Arthur, you go first," Lancelot suggested, "I'll stay with Merlin and he can go after."

"Quickly, please," the fireman urged.

"Stay with Lance," Arthur said to Merlin.

When he was on the ground too, Arthur refused to be seen. He knew exactly what Merlin was scared of. If they got whisked away separately, there was every chance Merlin wouldn't be able to go home with Arthur later. The next few hours were going to be chaotic and very important.

"Arthur!"

He turned to see Hunith pushing her way through the crowds. There were people everywhere, packed tightly between ambulances which all had people sitting in. Paramedics were forcing their way through to check on everyone

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"Fine."

"Just a little shaken," Hunith declared as if she'd diagnosed him.

"Merlin's coming," Arthur said, "He's a little overwhelmed with everything."

"Aren't we all?" Hunith sighed sadly, "You should get yourself seen to, I'll wait for him."

"No," Arthur said, "We need to stick together."

Her eyes darkened in understanding, "Is he hurt?"

"No. I'm hoping he won't have to be taken in at all. It's a fine balance between making sure he's ok and keeping us together."

Hunith nodded, "Everyone's here to help you, Arthur. Remember that," she smiled briefly, "How's everyone else?"

"No one's hurt seriously. Only a bit battered."

Before he knew it, Merlin was standing beside him taking his hand shakily.

"Ok?" Arthur checked.

Merlin nodded, "Sorry."

"Stop saying that. You don't need to be."

"It's embarrassing."

Arthur shrugged. "There was nothing you could have done."

"All that work, Arthur. It's destroyed."

"It's ok. We can fix it. So long as no one got hurt. Come on, let's get checked out."

"Stay together?"

"Naturally."

Hours later, and the friends were walking around in the rubble of Camelot. The second floor and all the ones above that were completely fine but the ground and first floors were destroyed. Thankfully, no one had been seriously injured but a few people had been taken into hospital. Already there were stories and rumours flying around online about what had happened, why it had happened, what the staff had done. It was all a complete mess.

"I can't believe this," Gwaine muttered, "It'll take months to sort out."

"It could have been worse," Leon pointed out, voice gruff. They all had sore throats from the smoke they'd inhaled.

"Are people ever going to believe it's safe to come here?" Gwen asked sadly.

"It wasn't our fault. We did the best we could given what was happening."

"We'll have to get everything checked again properly," Morgana noted, "The electrics, the water, the machines. It's going to take forever."

"Well I'd much prefer that over something else happening."

Merlin coughed a few times then looked up apologetically, "It's the dust," he said.

Let's go outside," Arthur suggested, "It's late."

"Early more like," Gwaine said, looking at his watch.

When the electrics had started breaking, it had already been nearly midnight. And with getting out, getting checked over and talking to the police, they were all fairly certain that the sun would be rising soon.

"There's still loads that needs doing," Lancelot said, "Shouldn't we do it as soon as possible?"

"No one's in the right headset," Leon said, "We'll do it tomorrow."

"It'll give a bad impression if we leave it."

"I want to go home," Arthur said, "We can deal with it tomorrow."