As Arthur stepped back from the door he knew he was shaking, once the couple were inside John spoke once more "First thing I need to say is we have NOT came to tell you your husband is deceased. Look can we get you sat down somewhere and we can discuss this calmly, do you have any one you would like us to call to be with you?"
Arthur hardly took in what they said, but he did pick up on the last sentence. "My sister is here, and Hunith, Merlin's mother….oh my god Merlin's mother" thinking immediately how she would take any bad news.
Mary took Arthur's arm and led him through the door into the sitting room. Looking around and seeing the room empty John asked "Where are they? Shall I get them?"
Arthur shook himself "I'll get them" with that he went to the dining room.
As he walked in Morgana said "We wondered who it was I was just going to come and get you" with that she looked at her brother and immediately sensed something was wrong, her brother looked pale and in shock.
Arthur looked at Hunith "It's the army" he said "I….I think its bad news"
His knees started to give way as Hunith gasped and put her hand to her mouth. Morgana was immediately all action "Where are they?" she demanded
Mary and John had followed Arthur John looked at the family "We have already told Mr Pendragon that we are Not here with totally bad news. Look can we find somewhere to sit and we will tell you what we know."
Morgana helped her brother to the living room and sat down as Leon walked with the shaking Hunith. Once they were sat on the long sofa together Morgana, Arthur, and Hunith for mutual support with Leon sitting on an armchair. John looked at Arthur from the chair opposite.
"As I said we have come with news of your husband, as far as we know he is alive. He and his troop were on the chinook that crashed earlier today after being hit by enemy fire, you may have heard the news. When the rescue helicopters arrived they found the dead and injured but six men were missing. One of whom was Lieutenant Emrys. Despite an extensive search, which is still going on they have not been found." John let what he said sink in before continuing. "The information given to us from the injured, after they were rescued, point to them being taken prisoner by the Taliban" he paused "They have not yet contacted us, although they have claimed responsibility for the shooting down of the helicopter"
He looked at the people in front of him with sympathy "You will of course be kept informed at all stages"
Arthur had his head in his hands but looked up his eyes hard "What action will be taken to get my husband and the others back safely?"
"As we have told you a search is still in progress, Satellite photos are being studied, you may rest assured everything that can be done is being done." Mary reiterated.
Hunith looked at the couple "They will be killed won't they?" her voice breaking "Who else is missing, I know a lot of the boys….is Gwaine safe?"
"I'm sorry Mrs Emrys at the moment because other families are being informed I cannot go into details" John said with sympathy.
Hunith snapped back and she snapped angrily, something very rare for her "It's Ms Emrys if you don't mind, and Gwaine Green made me his next of kin when his own mother passed on, he is like a second son to me" Hunith said
Mary stood up and went outside, went outside and got on the phone immediately to check details, coming back quickly she said "I'm sorry Ms Emrys, we thought you were at your home address and weren't aware of your next of kin status as someone else was dealing with Sergeant Green. I understand they went there to tell you." She paused before saying with sympathy "Sergeant Green is also missing"
Morgana put her hand on her brother's arm. "He's not dead Arthur, and until you hear otherwise you have to hold on to that. Merlin is a survivor you know that"
Arthur put his arm round Hunith who turned and cried on his shoulder. She was worried sick for both of her boys.
"What happens now" Morgana asked as Arthur and Hunith were clearly and understandably in shock, she hadn't noticed that Leon had gone off to make tea.
Mary continued to explain "Tomorrow you will be contacted by your assigned Visiting Officer who will liaise between you and the army, keeping you abreast of any developments. He will also help with any advice or help you require. I have been told you will be seen by Lance De Luc. We will ensure he is updated on information regarding Sergeant Green as well."
At that Leon arrived with a tray of tea and after making sure everyone had a cup he sat down to listen and take in all that was said, knowing full well that neither Arthur or Hunith were in a fit state to do so. It was over an hour before they left leaving a distraught family behind them. After all no one was in any doubt that for anyone captured by the Taliban the outlook was not great. The Governments position was clear no deals would or could be made for release.
The men in the wreckage of the chinook had soon been overrun by the Taliban fighters. There were just too many of them and Merlin had so few men capable of fighting back. Despite a valiant effort they were surrounded, having very little shelter from which to fight. As the fighting became close quarters it was soon all over, Except for the badly wounded there were only six men left standing, none of whom wanted to surrender, but to save their fellow soldiers Merlin was given no choice. It was either that or be shot down in cold blood. Whilst they were alive they would always have a chance to escape. The leader promised that if they threw down their arms they would leave the badly injured alone to be rescued and that swung it for Merlin. There were fourteen injured at least maybe more. Six men in exchange was an acceptable, if high, price to pay. They were immediately disarmed, tied up and made to get into one of the vans. Merlin was pleased to see Gwaine, Galahad, Pellinore, Mordred and Terry were uninjured and except for their battered pride and a few minor injuries, they were all apparently well. They were taken to a camp in the mountains and thrown in a cave. The leader told them they would be held for exchange for some of their own captured men.
The following days were soul destroying for Arthur and Hunith, Merlin's mother had accepted Arthur's offer to stay in London, that way they could at least support one another. The following morning Lance De Luc arrived as promised and gave what support he could. He was a kind and pleasant man about the same age as Arthur. But without news there was only so much he could do. The couple were in limbo not knowing if Merlin, and Gwaine for that matter, were alive or dead. After three days Arthur returned to work. Morgana kept Hunith Company during the day. Arthur felt he had to do something or he would crack up, all he could do was imagine what his husband was going through. It had to be said he wasn't much better at work and his father although initially sympathetic, as much as he could be, was soon losing patience with his son.
On the third day after their capture came confirmation that the Taliban did indeed have the missing men. The news was broken to Arthur and Hunith by Lance. It seemed the Taliban announced the men's capture by sending a film of the execution by decapitation of one of the men. Arthur's first thought was to be thankful it wasn't Merlin, then he immediately felt guilty as it was someone's family member.
"Look the M.O.D has arranged a meeting for all the relatives tomorrow to update you all, can you come? The army will send transport" Lance asked, "They will answer what questions they can"
"Of course when and where?" Arthur said without thought, Hunith nodding her agreement, he wanted to know exactly what was being done and by whom. One of the worse things Arthur found was not being in control, not knowing everything that was happening. Give him a problem and he would work towards solving it, but he had no information…..nothing. He felt totally impotent for the first time in his life and he didn't like it.
Lance ignored the snap in Arthur's voice he understood what the other man was going through. "At the MOD offices in Whitehall 10am"
"We'll be there" Arthur said without hesitation.
"Good, hopefully by then we might have more news" Lance made the arrangements before leaving.
Hunith agreed with Arthur that she wanted to go as well, she was worried sick about her son and Gwaine. Since hearing the news about the decapitation she was finding it hard to cope. Both of them had disturbed dreams. Arthur dreamt that he had woken to find Merlin's severed head on the pillow beside him. After that he didn't sleep he couldn't shake the thoughts going through his head.
When they arrived at the Ministry it was the first time they realised who else was involved. Everyone looked like they had had as much sleep as Arthur and Hunith. As well as Merlin and Gwaine the captured were: Pellinore Drew, Galahad Jones and Terry Davis. Mr Drew told them it was Mordred Evans who had died, she had spoken to his mother who was a good friend and neighbour. It seemed that Mordred's family didn't mind them knowing but didn't want the name leaked to the press while their grief was still so fresh. Arthur knew Mordred's name but had never met him, but he did know he was one of the younger men. Merlin had said he showed great promise. Of the others he had met them all at one time or another but it was Gwaine he knew best. The troop was like a second family to Merlin had so Arthur by default had been drawn into the group.
They were waiting in a small room to see both the Minister of Defence and one of the army Generals and started to get to know one another, after all they all realised they would rely on each other for support until they were reunited with their loved ones. When Arthur introduced himself as Merlin's husband Mr Davis became agitated "You mean my son's officer is a poof, is that allowed!"
Arthur held his temper, with difficulty after all he was used to his own father's reaction, knowing that this was a highly emotional time for everyone. "Yes it is, my husband informed his senior officers years ago of his orientation. Before it was legal in the forces he denied himself a normal life refusing to acknowledge it even to himself. Thank goodness such things are no longer necessary. It has never effected his ability to do his job"
Hunith glared at the man "My son is as much a man as anyone. He has worked his way up through the ranks to get where he has, all of his men know, it's no secret. In fact all the missing men went to the wedding, with the exception of poor Mordred, he is newer. If it's good enough for your son it should be for you!"
Mrs Drew spoke next she clearly knew Mr Davis "Shut up Taffy, don't be an idiot. He's a good man, my Pellinore says he's the best and looks after his men, so who cares what he does in his own time?"
"Yeh well he looked after um well this time didn't he? Over half the troop dead and our boys captured" Taffy Davis spat out "That sort of thing ain't god fearing"
Arthur looked at the other man hardly believing what the man had said. "You say god fearing, well nor is killing, but our men are soldiers if you think about it, so stuff your god fearing ways"
Lance stepped in "Look ladies and gentlemen now is not the time for this" he looked at Taffy Davis "Sir your remarks are offensive and I'm sure if you weren't stressed you would see that, so let's calm it down and support each other, you are all in a similar situation."
Luckily they were then called into the office where they were updated. It seemed the men's position had still not been pinpointed but the Taliban had given proof that the remaining five men were still alive and well.
"We continue to follow all intelligence. Private Evans body has been retrieved and is being flown home. The Taliban have yet to give us their demands for the release of the five remaining men but it is expected they will ask for a ransom" the Minister paused "You need to understand it is Her Majesties Governments policy not to give in to terrorists in this way. It would send a dangerous message and make all the men stationed in war zones a target. But everything is being done to find them"
Arthur understood the reasoning and had in the past supported it but now found himself willing to do anything for Merlin and the other men's release. "Then I'll personally pay it" he said bluntly
"What do you mean Sir?" the Minister asked
"It should be clear. Look I am independently wealthy I will pay any ransom! That way the government's stance remains and we get our men back" Arthur said
"Mr Pendragon I do understand what you're going through and I am sure if I was in a similar position I might well make the same offer, but it won't be approved" the politician said sympathetically
"No you bloody don't! That's my husband and his friends out there. One has already had his head cut off! I won't stand by and see the same happen to them, not if I can do anything to stop it. I don't care if it takes every penny I have" Arthur's voice rose in volume. "Other countries allow it. In fact other governments pay the ransoms, are our soldiers worth less?"
"No they are not! You know that" The general said calmly "If ransoms are paid it make more families go through the same thing and pays for arms that kill even more. Look everything that can be is being done" he paused "Do you think Merlin and the others would want their release at the cost of that?"
"That's alright for you, you have the money, what about our boys?" Taffy snarled
Hunith turned on the man "Why don't you listen you fool! My son in law said he would pay all their ransoms!"
Taffy looked abashed as Arthur told him "I am independently wealthy as well as Vice President of a large Multinational company." Looking at the General he added "We have a branch in France and I know they have paid ransoms for their nationals I will go through them if it makes you feel better. I don't care if it costs every penny I have I want my husband and his men back"
The General looked at Arthur "Look son let us try our way first, I want those boys back as much as you, but paying them isn't the way to do it, and as yet we don't have their demands. I have men waiting to go in for a rescue when we find them. I and the rest of the forces won't rest until we have them back. Private Evan's death was a show killing to make sure we took this seriously. We won't lose anyone else if there is any way we can stop it."
They all left the meeting feeling no further forward. Galahad's sister thanked Arthur for trying to help "I hope they find them, my brother is the only family I have"
Arthur looked at her and said "You have us now no matter what happens."
They knew that they would have to wait for developments. Arthur wasn't prepared for that, he had the bit between his teeth and wanted some guarantees so as soon as he got home he contacted the Prime Minister's office direct. His family name was enough to get an appointment with the PM for two days' time.