Arthur was surprised at the offer, but also realised it put him under pressure to accept his post. He knew it would be a job his sister would jump at. She loved working for the police but the unsocial hours were hard for her. Morgana had never worked nights before and found them very difficult. He looked at his boss and realised that there were some similarities with Uther. Both men liked to get their own way.
"So my acceptance is the only way my sister gets a job with you?" he asked a hardness to his voice.
Balinor held Arthur's gaze, "It is at the moment, I can't make a job up and you can't have her as your secretary, it wouldn't be fair on either of you. Think of the media interest! Also there is a person already waiting promotion who would be placed with you." Then he smiled, "I do wonder though whether letting Gwen and Morgana hold posts to the CEO and vice president would be a good idea, I have a feeling those two will run circles around the lot of us."
Arthur felt the weight lift off his shoulders as he listened to Balinor. He could understand the reasoning. There would be enough fuss made about his promotion. He also wondered how letting the two friends work so closely together would work out. "Then thank you. I accept, I hope you won't regret it. Do you want me to talk to Morgana?"
"Good lad. If you had refused Hunith would have given me hell! By all means talk to your sister, if she is interested get her to phone Gwen for an appointment to see both myself and Merlin; the quicker the better. Once your replacement is sorted, you can start your new job." Balinor held out his hand, "I have never regretted hiring you, even with all that has happened. Now, I want you to come to dinner Saturday night to celebrate and that includes Morgana- whatever her decision. And tell her to bring that nice young man of hers. Also, since Merlin isn't back at work, do what you can without him and, by tomorrow, I will have the office next to his vacant. Best you work closely, you can start getting it organised how you want it. Until Merlin is back, I will rely on you to let me know if there is anything you need help with concerning my son's workload. I'll let you ring Merlin with the news shall I?"
Arthur left the office wondering just what had happened. He had intended to ask time to consider and if pushed, turn it down. Instead, he now had a new job and was about to start once more on a new phase of his life. He wondered what his sister would do. He picked up the phone and dialled Merlin's private number and told the raven-haired man the news. Merlin was overjoyed and admitted he hadn't been sure if Arthur would take the job. They arranged to catch up later in the week.
That evening as he left work, he popped into his sister's favourite take-a-away. Morgana was on the 8-5 shift and so would be home for their evening meal. It was Arthur's turn to cook but he wanted to have something special and wouldn't have time to do anything really nice. They both liked to eat reasonably early in the evening, rather than go to bed on a full stomach. Having selected all her favourites, he headed for home and arrived just as his sister was getting into the lift.
She looked at the bag in his hand and quirked an eyebrow "Too lazy to cook?" she demanded.
"No special treat from your favourite place. I took the job."
Morgana smiled, "Good, I wasn't sure if you would. I'm pleased for you, you deserve it."
Once in the flat, they decided to eat immediately rather than have the food go cold. Changing quickly into more casual clothes, Arthur opened all the boxes while Morgana laid the table. She looked at the contents and grinned even more, "We should celebrate more often."
"I was going to take you out but I thought it would be nice to stay at home and relax. I know you are on an early shift tomorrow."
"You can take me out once you start," Morgana said as she spooned some Pad Thai into her dish. "When do you start?"
"As soon as they sort my replacement." Arthur looked at his sister, "Balinor wanted to know if you wanted to be Merlin's P.A. I told him I doubted it. After all, you wouldn't want to work that closely with Gwen." He waited for what he had said to sink in.
It took seconds and Morgana almost spat out her food in shock, "ME!"
"Yes, you," Arthur grinned.
"Of course, I want it! You idiot, how could you say such a stupid thing? No more shift work and Merlin is a darling," The brunette shouted, her eyes flashing but as she looked at the brother, she realised he was having her on. "You bastard! I almost believed you… but did he really offer it to me? You're not joking about that, are you?"
"Just ring Gwen tomorrow and arrange to see Balinor and Merlin. Congratulations sister." Arthur grabbed the last coconut shrimp and gave her a look of mock horror. "Can I stand you in the same building all day?"
"You bet, it will be great and I'm working with Gwen!"
"Even Balinor wasn't sure letting you two loose would be a good thing for the rest of us," Arthur admitted.
The next afternoon, Arthur looked in at his new office and was very pleased, it shared the same view as Merlin's. The workmen were taking down the partition between the rooms to add a door. The whole building was designed so such changes could be made easily. At one time, the whole floor had been open plan so most of the connecting walls were made of panelling and not brick. The workman looked up as Arthur entered.
"Don't stop on my account," Arthur told him as he went to leave not wanting to interfere.
"Be handy, the boss said," came the comment from the workman. "Muttered something about getting passed his P.A. if he needed to."
Arthur grinned "Mr Emrys junior been in then?" he asked.
"No, he rang this morning and ordered the work. Great bloke, he helped me when the missus was ill. I'd do anything for him."
Arthur already knew that most employees loved their V.P. but it seemed Merlin's kindness reached many areas. "I agree," came the sincere reply.
The man looked at Arthur. "I don't think there are many here who haven't met the boss. He certainly seems to know everyone's names. The big boss is nearly as good, I wouldn't work anywhere else."
"You and me both," Arthur said. As he walked away, he reflected on the difference in the styles of management between Uther Pendragon and Balinor. His father had always told him to keep aloof of the employees, that they would take advantage if you became friends. But the Emrys' proved that was wrong, it was one lesson he was determined to follow in the future.
That afternoon, Morgana turned up for an interview with Balinor and Merlin. Needless to say she was hired. She was to start in two weeks after she had worked her notice with the police. This time the pair did go out for a meal. It seemed the Pendragon's world was on the up.