They were both right within a week Morgana and Percy had gone out on their first date and intended to go out together again. Arthur told Merlin he hoped that Percy would be able to control his sister as she was strong willed. Merlin laughed saying Percy was the strong silent type most of the time but if he made up his mind he was unmoveable. They decided that there would probably be fireworks soon.
Two days later Uther came storming down to Arthur's office. He glared at Merlin as he walked past and walked straight into Arthur's office slamming the door behind him. Arthur stood up immediately knowing exactly who it was without looking. Only his father very entered in that way, Morgana didn't always knock and neither did Merlin, but only his father slammed the door hard enough to rattle the windows. He wondered what had happened this time to cause his father's temper.
It wasn't long before he found out.
"I get to work this morning to find that you and your sister have authorised building works, without consulting me. Would you explain yourself." Uther was red in the face never a good sign.
Arthur looked at his father "We have authority to sanction works under a set amount and the works come well within that figure Sir." He knew better than to call Uther father when he was in a temper.
"You do but not so you can waste company money. Why is it necessary to carry out these works now? We comply with all regulations, is it due to that cripple you have as your PA?" Uther was shouting by now so Arthur knew Merlin would be able to hear every word.
"Sir, we may have disabled toilets on the ground floor but that barely covers regulations. We have to consider all our staff and their needs. It is inefficient for my PA to have to go up and down when he needs to use the facilities."
"So it is for him. Get rid of him and find yourself a new PA." Uther went as if to leave.
"No Sir I won't, we have responsibilities to look after all our staff and I hardly think changing a very efficient and hardworking member of my staff is correct. I'm sure the legal department won't want the work of sorting out an unfair dismissal case either. Not only that but it will be useful for some of our business associates when we have meetings to have such a facility on each floor. Several of them are getting older now."
Uther turned back to his son. "Unfair dismissal! He shouldn't have been hired in the first place. I will have words with your sister. Very well you can make the changes but everything else connected with his employment that incurs extra expense will come through me for approval understood." With that he stormed out the office.
Arthur quickly phoned his sister to warn her Uther was on his way to her office. He then rang Leon to warn him to expect a visit before calling Merlin in to see him.
His PA came into the office clearly shaken. Arthur turned and poured out a coffee for him, Uther hadn't noticed the gleaming addition to Arthur's office. Giving Merlin the cup he smiled and said:
"Sorry about that Merlin, my father can be insensitive. You are not to worry about it. It was something we should have done before now. We have several staff that use crutches etc and the facilities will be useful for them to. We are adapting the female toilets so it's not just for you. Also if you find you need anything else please say so. You will still get it. Understood?"
Merlin gave Arthur a half smile "I wasn't expecting so much help and I'm sorry it has caused so much fuss. Thank you for what you said."
"You don't have to thank me idiot, I don't want to have to break in another PA, anyway my sister would only give me George and I hate his jokes. Now drink up and back to work with you."
Along the corridor Uther had just left Morgana's office, having fared no better with her. Uther warned her not to employ anyone else who would cost the company extra expense. Saying she should have done her homework as Merlin had been trouble in his last employment. That had not gone down well and Morgana had said several unpleasant things about Cenred, stopping short of explaining Merlin's treatment in detail as Arthur had told her in confidence.
Uther had gone back to his office and rang Leon in the legal department. He asked Leon about getting rid of Merlin but was told that unless Mr Emrys did anything wrong if he was dismissed or moved without good reason he would have a strong case in the courts and would cost the company money and bad publicity. So Uther had to drop the matter but he would continue to harbour a dislike for the poor man. More because he didn't get his own way than anything else.