Arthur called Lance before he went home, he had come to like and respect the man during all the help he had given both him, and Merlin since he had returned. "Lance I am hoping to take Merlin to Wales for Christmas, he has agreed to go and see Mordred and Pellinore's families. Is there any problem with that or do I need to get permission. I do realize Merlin is still under Army orders so to speak"
Getting confirmation it would be alright as long as someone, either Arthur or Merlin called in each day, after all Merlin's medical team were keen for him to face the past and had discussed it with Arthur already. That was why Arthur had pushed it with his husband. Arthur knew they needed to be back in five days for Merlin's next appointment and Morgana's New Year party. Arthur then drove home and when he got there he found Morgana visiting.
Merlin looked up as Arthur walked in. "How did it go love?"
Arthur went across and kissed the top of Merlin's head then went to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a whiskey before sitting down. He looked at his sister "I suppose you just as well know as well." He took a drink "I am now unemployed, I handed in my notice"
Both Merlin and Morgana looked shocked "Why!?" Merlin gasped
"About time" was Morgana's comment
Looking at his husband Arthur said calmly "Because that man is a bigoted and blind fool. He still doesn't accept our marriage and told me I was to return to work tomorrow and either get you paid help or move you back to barracks. I didn't expect anything else so I wrote out my resignation last night." Arthur looked at his sister "I hope Leon gets the VP post if he doesn't and he wants to move on I will give him a glowing reference"
Merlin looked at Arthur "What will you do? Are you sure?"
Arthur smiled at Merlin "Nothing for now, just make sure we both get over what has happened then I will give it some thought. And yes I'm sure, I no longer want to work for Pendragon's and will not have anything more with Uther unless he contacts us and apologizes" then grinning he continued "Don't look like that I won't need to be a kept man. I told you before we married I have money"
"I'm not worried about the money! We get enough to live of my wages if needed, maybe not in your style, and no more Armani and Saville row" Merlin grinned apologetically.
"You mean you don't know what Arthur is worth!" Morgana said even more shocked
"He didn't want to know Morgs" Arthur told her with a smirk "Merlin always said money wasn't important. He married me for my good looks and charm"
Morgana looked at Merlin and shook her head "You mean you don't know you are married to a multi-millionaire?"
Merlin's mouth fell open and Arthur glared this sister "Why should he, Merlin has always been independent I wasn't going to let the money get in the way and the idiot might have refused to marry me out of some sort of honour if he had known"
"Damn right Pendragon, Just how much are you worth?" Merlin snapped not liking being caught on the wrong foot.
"About fifteen million" Arthur admitted "It was from my mother. When she realized she was pregnant she made a will leaving everything to her unborn child. I bought this place and have hardly touched the rest as I was earning a six figure sum. So I guess if I don't want to I needn't work again."
Merlin looked thoughtful "You need to speak to your father, even if you aren't going to work with him, I wanted you to sort out your problems not walk away from them"
"That won't work Merlin, unless we split and I'm not doing that!" Arthur protested
"He's right Merlin, Uther is unmovable when he sets his mind on something. To be honest I would rather Leon quit as well, but that's up to him. But I've had enough of Uther, I think Arthur is right and it's the best thing he could have done and I'm proud of him." Morgana's eyes flashed in anger. "Don't feel sorry for him, he is an uncaring and manipulative bastard. He always has been, unless he can control everything and everybody he isn't happy. He made Arthur's life hell growing up" she stood up and hugged her half-brother. "Now I'm off home and leave you to it"
After Morgana had gone Arthur looked at Merlin "I thought we could drive to Wales tomorrow, stay with your mum for a couple of days over Christmas. You don't have another appointment for a while the break will do us good. Then after we can do those visits."
"I agreed to do them if you spoke to your dad, not if you walked away from him!" Merlin said "I don't think that counts"
"Yes it does, I wasn't going to let him push me about, and you are the most important thing to me Merlin. Thinking I might lose you nearly killed me. Anyway we both need more time to recover, please do this for us, you know you have to face this sometime." He looked at his husband's stubborn face, "I'm changing out of this suit, and we can talk later, now we can sit and watch a film and eat something, I'll make us some sandwiches I'm starving"
The two men at their lunch and then sat and relaxed. As the film finished Arthur went to the fridge and got out the pot of cream then held out his hand to Merlin "Come on I've seen you scratching, time to put some cream on those scars."
Merlin muttered under his breath but followed Arthur into the bedroom. Before he had chance to say anything. Arthur made him sit and then slowly and gently took of Merlin's shirt to expose his chest "Lie down" he ordered
"I can do it myself you know!"
"I know you can, but I want to" Arthur told him firmly. "I've told you I want to be involved" then he grinned wickedly "Do I really need an excuse to see your chest?"
Merlin was still reluctant to let Arthur see his worse scar, but Arthur and the doctors had suggested he let Arthur apply the cream. That way Arthur would get used to it and Merlin would become less self-conscious. With the stitches gone the scar was red and raised but exposed. As the healing continued it itched and applying cold cream helped both to stop the itching and help soften the scar.
Arthur knelt by the side of Merlin as he lay back on the bed. Gently he kissed the raven haired man starting at the scar on this face going down to his neck then pecked small kisses the length of the large scar on his torso once finished he opened the pot and smeared a good quantity on his fingers "This will be cold" he warned as he started to gently massage the scars as he had been show by the nurses.
Merlin led and looked out of the window trying to ignore the feelings he was getting of both shame and disgust, he really wasn't sure how Arthur coped touching the scars let alone kissing them. As Arthur moved up to the facial scars he gently made Merlin look at him "Please love don't look like that, I keep telling you they do not mean anything to me besides show me how brave you are and how close I came to losing you, they are a sign that we are meant to be together, not parted"
With that Arthur kissed Merlin gradually deepening the kiss as Merlin relaxed. After a lazy but very satisfying session of love making the two men fell asleep next to each other.
Later they got up showered and made a meal together before packing to go to Hunith's for Christmas. Neither man quite believing that the next day was Christmas Eve. Merlin packed his Uniform as, despite arguing with Arthur, he was intending to visit both the families as well as the graves. He knew it was something he needed to do, he had had enough therapy sessions to realise that. Besides he owed it to the two dead men.
They were up early and after a quick breakfast set off. Although Merlin still had some pain from his wounds they were hoping to just drive through without a stop. Arthur's car was large and comfortable. Although Merlin needed to pad the seat belt where it crossed over his recent injury. He also took a couple of painkillers to be sure. Morgana was phoned and they promised to be back for her New Year party and keep in touch.
Hunith was overjoyed to see them. Originally she had planned to visit them but both her and Arthur felt it might be better to get Merlin away for a time. Gwaine of course was already there. As they arrived Hunith greeted them at the door and they were soon inside. Hunith had a meal waiting for them so after half an hour to get over the journey they all sat down together to eat.
"Gwaine helped me pick a tree and we can decorate it this afternoon" Hunith told her son. "Gwaine got everything down out of the roof earlier."
The afternoon was spent doing just that, the normality of it settled Merlin and he and Gwaine sorted out the tea as was custom when they were home for Christmas. While the two men were busy Hunith turned to Arthur "How have you both been?"
Arthur told her about quitting work and then added "Just as well we need the time together. This whole thing took more out of both of us than we realised. Merlin is going to see Mordred and Pellinore's families once Christmas is over, he needs closure"
Hunith looked pleased "It will be hard on him but he needs to do it, not only for him but for them. I have seen both families, they don't blame Merlin, but they want something other than the official story. Merlin was of course with them when it happened"
Arthur nodded "I will drive him over on the 27th, let everyone have their holiday first."
Hunith pulled a face "Go on Boxing Day, they know you are coming here, the families won't be doing much celebrating. Pellinore's children are too young to make waiting any sense and I think it will do Ann good. Gwaine has seen both families since he has been back." Hunith advised.
They stopped talking as Gwaine and Merlin came in with the sandwiches and snacks and put them on the coffee table. Merlin grinned at Arthur "The only day besides Christmas day that food is allowed to be eaten in here. I always feel naughty"
"Well as you know we always had to eat in the dining room" Arthur looked pensive for a second.
Hunith looked at her son in law "I'm sure you will make up Arthur, give your father time"
"It will be until hell freezes over, anyway I have all the family I need with you and my sister. Hunith you have been like a mother to me and I need no one else" Arthur was sincere. He had never had a good relationship with his father, and it wasn't until he met Merlin and saw his relationship with his mother that he had realized just how badly his own family dynamics had been. He was just pleased he had had Morgana.
Gwaine gave Arthur a look "You do realize Princess that as Merlin is my brother you get me in that package as well"
"Well every family has a black sheep" Arthur quipped. Then the blonde said seriously "Anyway Gwaine you looked out for him and supported him when I wasn't there so I suppose I can put up with you"
Arthur and Merlin turned in early, the traveling had tired Merlin and it didn't take him long to fall asleep.