Cometh the Hour, the Trinity Term

by Arise Sir Knight

Third part of the Oxford odyssey: Unresolved threats continue to escalate until the college steps in as Merlin attempts to complete his first year.

12. Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12 : TO BREAK A STALEMATE

Thursday came along and after their last tutorial, Merlin headed for supper with Toby. Mrs Quilley mentioned that Dr Angus was busy at the moment but would possibly join them for dessert.

Toby said, "I don't think being a professor is so great, during the school year, you have to spend an awful lot of extra hours with other professors and your students."

"But think of the fabulous holidays," Merlin suggested, "hours to walk on the beach, read to your heart's content and even travel." That last part brought Merlin back to reality of no longer being with Arthur and their plans for next Christmas to go to Switzerland was certainly no longer in the cards.

Mrs Quilley added, "However, the higher up on the college echelon you are, the less holidays you get. Now, come on eat up or everything will be cold."

They heard the doorbell and Mrs Quilley said, "Don't bother to get it, Toby, as it will be your father's visitor.

-0-0-

Supper over, Toby was helping clear the table, when Mrs Quilley asked Merlin to take a tray with tea for two to the library. He tapped on the door and walking in on Angus talking to Arthur.

He was shocked and realised that he was standing there with the tray in his hands and his mouth open.

Before he could turn to escape, Dr. Angus said, "Put the tray over there. I believe that the two of you need to have a chat." He walked across the room, closing the door after him.

Merlin turned to follow him but he heard Arthur say, "Merlin, please we need to have a talk…to get this straightened out."

"There is nothing to straighten out...you chose Hugo over me and I accept that...!" Merlin said his voice louder than he had meant it to be and unfortunately with a slight quiver in it .

Arthur said, "Merlin, look at me." Merlin refused to face him until he said, "Merlin, please."

Merlin took a deep breath and finally turned to look at Arthur but his eyes reached no higher than his knees.

"You can do better than that. I'm up here." Merlin let his eyes raise to mid chest but no further so Arthur figuring that was marginally better continued, "May I speak first?"

"No!" Merlin said surprising, Arthur with the adamant tone of his voice. "I think as the wronged person you should listen to what I have to say. I heard you telling someone that he was late as I was going to be there soon but it wasn't him, it was me in the kitchen with the food. Do you know how that made me feel? I even recognised the name as one of your former flings."

Arthur had the decency to cringe, "It wasn't like that. He was there to deliver something..."

"I figured that out as I helped a fellow manoeuvre something out of the lift and watched him got to our condo, I mean your condo. You called him Hugo and seemed to be expecting him and happy to see him. You invited him in. I felt…"

"Why didn't you let me know that you were there? I would have explained everything to you."

"Arthur, I might not be rich or handsome but I have my pride, I didn't need to be compared to him as you were so obviously thrilled to see him."

"Where did you go?"

"I sat on the stairs until I..."

"Go on, until..."

Merlin finally met Arthur's eyes and said matter of factly, "...until I had what it took to leave your place and walk back to the residence."

Arthur looked at him and said, "Merlin, I didn't realise you had been there until I saw the takeaway in the kitchen."

"Did the two of you eat it?" Merlin asked sarcastically.

"No, there wasn't time."

"Oh, it was like that then…!"

Arthur realised what he had said could be interpreted in many ways and had multiple implications, he blushed as he explained, "There was no time because he had to get back to London. He didn't even stay for a drink. Anyway, I was expecting you to be there and we'd eat together."

"Lovely, you have sex with you ex and then intend to have supper with your latest fling."

Arthur shook his head, he didn't really understand how his well organised plan had backfired. It was supposed to have made Merlin happy but it had backfired and now he was desperately trying to save their relationship. They lapsed into silence.

Merlin kept sneaking glances at Arthur, the man he loved.

Arthur got up and poured himself another whiskey, "I'm sure Angus wouldn't begrudge me another one. Would you like something?"

"No, we have only just finished supper."

Arthur nodded and returned to sit down, he took a sip of his whiskey and finally said, "We were set up today, weren't we, Merlin?"

Merlin nodded but added nothing more, so Arthur kept talking, "Why did you run away and hide? You refused my calls and texts, I didn't understand. I couldn't figure out why you had just disappeared. I wracked my brain as to what must have happened, then I decided you had been there when I thought it was Hugo coming and for the life of me, I couldn't remember what I had said. I knew I had not said anything wrong as I already have the person I want to spend my time with."

Merlin finally said, "I was hurt, I didn't understand what awful thing I had done to have you bring back an ex-lover. It shook me, I no longer had any idea where I stood. I was lost all I could think was that if I barricaded that part of my life and concentrated on my studies I might make it through to the end of the term.

"Arthur, I'm not experienced like you. It hurt when someone I had learned to trust seemed to have cast me aside like an old shoe. I have friends, I have my studies so as a precaution, I built a wall around myself and tried to forget everything which I had enjoyed since I'd been with you...and I survived...Arthur, I survived!"

Arthur was studying his fingers and Merlin knew that his mind was going over what he'd said. He had a sudden desire to be wrapped in his arms and to feel loved and wanted but he was not ready. They had much talking to do before that would happen.

Merlin stood up, glancing at his watch he said, "Toby and I should be making our way back to college. It isn't done to arrive late!"

Arthur stood up and took a step towards him but Merlin moved away saying, "I think I need to talk more and try to understand what happened before I make any move to continue as more than just friends." He could feel that Arthur wasn't happy about that.

"Can I see you tomorrow, I can meet you as usual after your last tutorial?"

Merlin's heart was yelling, 'Yes!' however, his head was in charge and he managed to shake his head as he said calmly, "I am willing to come for supper on Sunday if you invite me. We can try to sort things out but I am not promising anything."

"May I at least phone or text you?"

"You may but whether I will answer or not is debatable."

The look on Arthur's face was heartbreaking but Merlin steeled himself and said, "Thank you for explaining what happened, see you mid afternoon on Sunday." He turned and walked to the door, his eyes filled with tears.

Arthur heard Toby and Merlin leaving and then Angus tapped on the door. "Is everything all right?"

Shaking his head, Arthur said, "Hardly! At least he is speaking to me but he is still hurt. You know Angus, absolutely nothing happened between me and Hugo, that was over years ago…"

Arthur then explained to Angus exactly what had happened, all the ins and outs of what he had planned and how the whole thing had derailed. "I can't blame Merlin, he has a key, he's free to come and go as he wants. Normally, he would have dropped the food off in the kitchen and then come to find me. But I called out thinking it was Hugo and he must have heard me and run off. I didn't go into the kitchen and find the food until after Hugo had left. It would have been better if Merlin had stayed and challenged me as I could then have explained and we could have waited for Hugo together.

"If my stupid idea results in Merlin's and my breaking up, I can only blame myself. You know, Angus, surprises aren't always what they are made out to be."

Angus never asked what Arthur's surprise had been, that was between Merlin and him. He said, "Arthur, I feel sure that once everything is explained to everyone's understanding. Merlin will still be your friend. He's smart and likeable and hasn't a bad bone in his body. He still feels hurt. At the moment he is pulled in two ways, forgiving you for what he felt had happened and jut being with you as before. Give him time…but once he feels secure again in your friendship and accepts what happens, you and he'll be back to your normal selves."

Arthur thanked Angus for allowing him to meet Merlin in his home.

As he said goodbye to him at the front door, Angus said, "As Toby would say, 'Merlin's one in a million!' Keep your hopes up, Arthur, as my wife would say, 'Time heals all wounds!' I'm always here if you need to talk to me." He closed the door and thought, to himself, 'That was a silly thing to say, as time does't heal the wounds, time only makes the pain less as we go about our regular lives." He knew that the pain of losing his son Luca would never go away.

-0-0-

When Arthur got home, Laurence was watching TV, he tried to be sociable and join him but his mind couldn't concentrate on anything. Finally Laurence said, "I think you'd be better off in bed."

Arthur nodded, "Probably! See you tomorrow…" and walked down the hall to what he knew as Merlin and his room. He finally got to bed, he couldn't sleep and beside him on Merlin's pillow he placed his dragon and a cell phone as maybe, Merlin would have a change of heart.

Toby and Merlin made their way back to residence, Merlin was very quiet but Toby's mother had told him not to bother him and in time, when he was ready he would tell him what he intended to share with him. "Just be his friend, if he wants to talk listen but don't push to find out things."

As Merlin lay in bed that night, an important thought crossed his mind; Arthur had never said that he loved him. Maybe, it hadn't been the time or the place but it would have been most welcomed. He still loved Arthur and basically he could forgive him anything. He smiled as he said to the moonlit room, "Within reason!"

Arthur had been adamant that nothing had happened between Hugo and him and Merlin decided to keep that in mind the next time they met up. He smiled sadly, maybe he had been a little bit too much on the defensive, he should have given Arthur more of a chance to explain things. He smiled to himself, his heart was right, he loved Arthur and slowly his mind had come to accept that he would forgive him and if someone had opened his door and Arthur had walked in, he would have jumped up and thrown his arms around him…

…his door would open and it wouldn't be Arthur!

-0-0-

All parties woke refreshed, Toby, Merlin and the girls attended their tutorials and cut their lunch hour to make up time as they finished early on Friday. There was a performance by the Drama Club at five o'clock that evening and they had tickets. Merlin once he remembered that Arthur wouldn't be picking him up, made an effort to enjoy himself. The production would be over by eight and everyone was invited to stay around for a short lecture by the director, followed by snacks and drinks.

Arthur had woken up after a none too relaxing night, his mind had kept going over all the things Merlin had said when accusing him of being unfaithful. He had a clear conscience and all he needed was to get Merlin to acknowledge that the whole thing had been a colossal mix-up.

Laurence was having breakfast and pushed a coffee carafe towards him saying, "Feeling any better today?"

"Not really… I have a favour to ask, could you be elsewhere on late Sunday afternoon until the evening?"

"Oh, so it's like that?"

"Sadly not but I would like the place to myself as Merlin had agreed to come for an early supper. I'll get enough so that there will be plenty for you when you come in. Take yourself off for a drink with friends or do some research in the library. It will be easier for Merlin and me to communicate if we know that we are completely alone. I'll do the same for you one day."

"Easily said, as you know that Sara and I have broken up. Gosh I was stupid, she just didn't fit in with my lifestyle, she was so critical and I got sick and tired of making excuses to her about my friends, my beliefs and things I held dear. I certainly would never have taken her home and I knew that Gawaine had not been impressed by her when he had visited."

"Nevertheless…good enough in bed?" Arthur said with a grin.

Laurence nodded before getting serious, "You know she didn't like Merlin, once referred to him as that young gold digger." He noticed Arthur's face falling. "I realised then and there that I had been drawn to her by her looks alone and between you and me, I am happier since we broke up.

"I think the final straw was the day when we were sitting here having lunch and she insinuated that Merlin was an attention grabber and had probably made up all about the attacks in his residence and elsewhere and had himself done all the damage to his room. Just so that you would feel sorry for him and stay with him.

"Suddenly, I saw red, she was criticising someone whom my family had known for years, my brother's best friend as well as someone who was loved by you. I told her she had better leave and she just sat there. I remember standing up and getting her bag and coat and handing it to her explaining that if she intended to insult both Merlin and you then she and I were finished. She stomped out; I am sure purposely knocking the lamp off the hall table."

"So that was how it as broken!"

Laurence nodded grinning, "Being a gentleman, I even offered to drive her back to her flat but she refused telling me where I could shove my key!"

Arthur laughed and he realised that it was the first time he had really laughed since the mess with the takeaway meal found on the kitchen counter.

"So, I will toddle off with my friends and raise a glass privately that is, to you two getting back on solid footing." Laurence then added with a smile, "He's worth it, Arthur, so do your best! Anyway, I'm off as I have a tutorial at ten."

Arthur, looked at the clock, he had some time before he had to leave and then he decided to get ready immediately because the day would go quicker at college than sitting around here waiting for the clock.

On his way out, he glanced at the painting at the end of the hallway and smiled. Merlin would understand!

-0-0-

Merlin and the others enjoyed the play and then went out to celebrate Tina's birthday. Merlin enjoyed himself for a little while forgetting his troubles. He suddenly froze and grabbed Toby's arm, "Only look at me nowhere else, Baxter is sitting in the corner and watching us."

"Maybe he will leave, if not we can get up and leave…but not in a hurry as then he'd know we'd seen him. Pretend you're tired and yawn and stretch your hands over your head. Did he seem to be close enough to..."

A voice suddenly said, "Well, well, look who we have here? My favourite AC students, Good Evening, Toby, Tina, Beth and Merlin!" He smirked as he said Merlin's name.

The girls were shocked that he had recognised them and knew their names. Merlin ignored him and said, "I think it's time we went home."

They walked to the cash and Merlin handed the cashier his card and said, "Please, call us a cab as the man following us is upsetting my friends."

The cashier looked up and Merlin smiled, he knew her from church. "I'm serious, Diane," he said, "we have to get back to Magdalen."

"Give me your card and I'll take it the Bar to run it through there and get you a cab."

Baxter was standing next to the exit waiting for them. When an employee, a big strong chap from the bar walked up to him to ask if he had settled his food bill. Baxter got out his wallet and the chap asked him to follow him to the bar.

Diane came back and said, "You're all on our security camera, the cab is coming right now. Mick will keep him until you are well on your way." She smiled, "See you, Sunday!"

"Thanks, Diane. You're a lifesaver."

Toby made sure everyone was in the cab, he glanced back and Baxter was having words with the bar staff. "Let's get going," he said as he got into the front passenger's seat and said, "Magdalen, please."

Merlin realised that Toby was due home so he insisted that they swing by his house first. "We'll be all right once we are in the Porters' Lodge. I'll phone you once we are all settled."

Toby entered his house and his father said, "What's up? You look as if you had a rotten time."

"Baxter was at restaurant and spoke to us, Tina and Beth were upset, so we took a taxi, they dropped me first and are continuing on their way to college."

His father reached for his phone and dialled and Toby heard him say, "Dunn, it's Dr Quilley, Toby's father. There is a taxi coming to the college could someone make sure that everyone gets in safely." He paused then said, "Miss Weber, Miss Chong and Mr Emrys." Another pause then he added, "Right! Thank you."

He turned to see his worried son and said, "Everything will be fine, Toby, just a precaution to notify the Porters. You did the right thing."

-0-0-

The taxi puled up and Conroy was waiting for it. The girls got out and Merlin paid the driver and walked with Conroy into the Lodge.

"Dr Quilley notified us that you were on your way, Mr Emrys!" He said.

"Thank you, Conroy, we were all a little uncomfortable…" he paused to add with a shrug of his shoulders, " and so, we ran away."

" 'Sometimes discretion is the better part of valour', as one of my townspeople used to say."

Merlin laughed, "Good old Will! You're from Stratford?"

"Bred, born and raised, now living closer to Oxford, the winter driving and summer traffic finally got to me."

He entered the office and noted in his book that the three of them were back and the time. Tina and Beth had waited with Dunn who then said, "All accounted for… Conroy, see the Ladies and Mr. Emrys to their rooms."

"We can manage from here," Merlin said.

The four of them trooped up the stairs and Tina and Beth were shown to their rooms and then Merlin. He opened the door and glanced around then said, "Everything shipshape in here. Thank you, Conroy!"

"Part of the service, Mr Emrys," he replied with a smile and made his way back downstairs, thinking if all the students were as pleasant as the AC's, life would be so easy.

When he returned, Dunn was on the phone and mouthed Dr. Quilley. "I just thought I'd bring you up to date, Sir. I'll make a note of that, thank you." He grinned at Conroy and said, " Another satisfied client…"