Merlin's recovery was longer than expected as he had developed hepatic amoebiasis which required longer and different antibiotics and well as drainage of the cysts in his liver. It was four weeks before he was ready to go home. In that time Arthur had been a regular visitor and the two had become firm friends. Not quite what Arthur had in mind but he could work on that. At least that knew they shared a sense of humour and many interests. By then Arthur had handed in his notice to MI6, knowing full well his chances of getting back to field work was next to none. He was now a rare thing, a retired spy. It allowed him to spend as much time with Merlin as he wanted to. As although he hadn't been working he was still required to go into the office. He did have regular physiotherapy sessions and was actually managing to write reasonably well left handed.

Gwaine had also decided to stay in England for a while and was doing agency nursing which was filling up his bank account nicely. He had offered to move out but Arthur had soon got used to having Gwaine about. They even went out in the evenings to clubs and pubs together. Arthur actually found he liked being an ordinary person, well as much as a very wealthy Lord was ordinary.

As Merlin's discharge was getting nearer Arthur asked Merlin if he would go on holiday with him to recuperate. With a bit of persuasion and help from Hunith and Balinor Merlin agreed. Arthur booked for the same week as Hunith and Balinor were going off on honeymoon. Arthur's wedding present to them Arthur had paid for a cruise. The couple had married, with a special licence, a week after Merlin was discharged from hospital, after they had got a promise that Merlin would be able to attend as an outpatient if necessary. Gwaine was to look after Hunith's house for the week as Arthur's staff would be at his. Hunith's was wary of leaving her house unoccupied so it was a happy compromise.

For their holiday and as it was felt better that Merlin didn't go abroad Arthur took him to his country estate for a fortnight what's more Arthur closed to the public for the fortnight so it was all theirs. They relaxed and Arthur was the perfect gentleman, Merlin was wined and dined and was left in no doubt he was being courted. Although Arthur was careful not to take it too far and they slept in separate bedrooms.

For their first date, even though at that time Merlin was unaware that was what it was, Arthur took him to a Country pub for a meal. They were using taxis for their transport as Arthur was still unable to drive and Merlin had never taken his test. Besides which Arthur wanted Merlin to rest completely.

Arthur had booked a quiet table and was clearly well known locally. The service was fantastic and the food was just what Merlin loved, home cook and not pretentious. They had a glass of wine each but as doctors' orders Merlin had only one glass. His liver was still recovering.

The second day Arthur took Merlin to the theatre in the nearest town and then a meal in a five star restaurant which Merlin found a bit uncomfortable. He always had preferred the simple life.

As they were on the main course Arthur looked across at Merlin "Sorry you're not enjoying this are you?"

"It wouldn't be my first choice no" Merlin said honestly "But it's your holiday as well and you clearly love it"

"More used to it, it's the company that's important, as long as the food is good, you enjoyed yesterday's meal better" Arthur asked

"More me, but we don't have to go out every night"

"Well if we don't Agnes will insist on staying to cook for us, and don't even suggest we cook, not in her kitchen she'd have a heart attack" Arthur smiled "I wanted her to retire but like so many of fathers old people they don't want to and I haven't the heart to make them"

"So what does she do when you're not here?" Merlin asked a smile on his face.

Arthur explained "She helps make soup and other specials for the café, and for the staff. Her husband thanks me whenever I see him, he's one of the gardeners, he says I've saved their marriage so what do you do"

"Do they call you master and pull their forelocks" Merlin grinned

"No they still call me young Arthur, master was my father!" Arthur grinned "He would have made them retire but I'm too soft hearted. They can go when they like, even keep their cottages rent free, That annoys my accountants who say I should charge them rent or kick them out and rent the cottages as holiday homes. Why I don't know I don't need the money. The houses I own in London cover the loses here"

"You lose money!"

"Everyone does on these big houses they cost so much to maintain, why do you think there are places like Longleat Loins and Chatsworth. Most owners would prefer to keep their homes private but it can't be done. I open mine because I don't life in it, it helps cover the costs but it still needs subsidising. The wedding trade helps now, everyone wants fancy weddings even if they can't afford a house to live in" Arthur looked at Merlin "Sorry you didn't come on holiday to hear me rant"

"It's interesting, and different than I'm used to" Merlin wasn't lying he was finding it interesting, like a lot of people he didn't think much about the running of country estates other than to think the owners were fabulously

wealthy.

"What are you going to do now?" Arthur asked

"I don't know, Mum won't be happy if I go back to what I was doing and I'm not sure if they'd let me anyway. But I don't fancy just working in a hospital here. I suppose I've been ruined for a normal job, I know mum found it hard when she gave up the red cross, but then she had me so had to." Merlin had been doing a lot of thinking.

"Well it looks like I might have a job as fund raiser for Doctors without borders, why don't you come and help me? I can attract the people with too much money and you can tell them why they need to part with it. You could do some surgery as well I can't see you giving that up. " Arthur suggested. "It would keep your mum happy and Balinor I suppose."