Arthur was awoken to his father yelling, as usual.
"Why aren't you up yet!?" Uther cried, ripping the covers off his sleeping son.
"Go away dad," Arthur half-muttered.
"How late were you at that club!?" Uther hissed.
"It's fine dad," Arthur said half-heartedly.
"It's dangerous there."
Arthur sighed. His father could get quite mad at him for staying out too late, and Arthur always knew it was because he was worried. "I'm sorry."
"You should be. That gang that runs the place calls themselves the Druids or something ridiculous like that. They need to be taken out." Uther was now pacing back and forth.
"I can just go back again tonight, scout out some weaknesses," offered Arthur, secretly hoping to speak with the owner.
Uther squinted at his son. "Yes. But this time you're taking Leon and Percival with you."
"Dad, I'm fine on my own," Arthur protested.
"I don't want you to get dragged in to that infamous den of theives." Uther said menacingly.
Arthur swallowed, "yes sir."
It was a busy day for Arthur, as usual. His father insisted he learn the ins and outs of the business so that when he retired Arthur could take over. He found himself driving about town checking up on the operations. All the nightclubs were making their share of the profit, and the men who ran them were being honest on the books. Well as honest as a mob boss's employees could be.
Arthur wasn't particularly fond of the life his father forced on him, but he had to admit that he did like the people he got to know. Most of them liked to party just as much as him, but they could also take care of themselves. The Pendragons were a strong syndicate, and there was a reason they ruled Camelot's underworld. He understood why his father felt threatened by the Druids, but he also didn't see the harm in healthy competition.
As Arthur thought more and more about it, he began to doubt his father's ambitions. He wondered if Uther could be a hypocrite. With a sigh he drove on, hoping to clear his head.
"So, where are we partying tonight, my lord," Leon said, with a mock bow. Everyone knew Uther was known as King of Camelot, he was both charismatic and rich, making Arthur the prince who would inherit it all.
"The Magic room, ever heard of it?" Arthur said, cracking a grin.
Leon was one of his closest, most trusted friends. They had grown up together, and were almost inseparable.
"Only as a cautionary tale, that any man who wants to remain clean must not enter it," Percy said, cleaning his gun.
"Well boys, tonight we're going in." Arthur said, putting his arm around both their shoulders.
Percy looked down at Arthur. "In God's name why? I've heard nothing but sin and evil comes from the place."
"I too have heard that," Leon said, suddenly serious.
Arthur smiled. "I was there just last night, and I'm fine."
"A madness must have overtaken him, if he wants to return," Percy stage whispered to Leon, who just laughed.
"Come now, it's not as bad as they say. Plus Uther wants us to investigate the Druids so we can take them down." Arthur said as a rallying cry.
He knew his friends well, for both nodded with sudden enthusiasm.
That night, almost with feeling guilty, Arthur returned to the Magic Room. He suddenly began to sympathize with that poor Romeo fellow, as he too now knew what it was like to want something impossible. He was determined to speak with Merlin Emrys tonight. He just wanted to know who that boy was.
Percy gave a low whistle. "This place ain't nearly what they say. Much nicer."
Leon nodded, looking around the big room taking in everything.
"Well look who's back," Morgana purred. "Couldn't stay away, huh? And you brought me some friends, how thoughtful. Hello chap's, and you are?"
"Percival," one replied with a nod of his head.
"Leon," the other gulped. She liked that.
"Well are you just going to stand there, or are you going to buy a girl a drink," she teased.
Both nodded and followed her to the bar. Arthur looked about, and sat down in the first chair he saw. A strange growl was heard, and he turned to find a boy glaring at him. With the young man was the singer from the previous night.
"Now Elyan, no need to be rude," the woman said cheerfully. "You must be Arthur."
"Yes," he said suspiciously. "How do you know that?"
"Morgana talked about you, and your looks," the girl laughed. "I'm Gwen by the way. And this wet tire's my brother."
"I see," Arthur said with a nod. He had come to the conclusion Elyan was insane.
"Don't mind him, Elyan never likes to party," Gwen said elbowing her brother's side.
"I manage the books, I'm not even sure why you dragged me here," Elyan said taking a swig of his drink.
"Because you never get out, and you need to find yourself a dame," Gwen said. "Plus I wanted you to hear me sing."
"Ah there's the heart of it," teased Elyan.
Arthur watched this back and forth with some amusement. Many times, when he was younger, he had wished that he had had a sibling. Then again, perhaps it was better if it were only him. Then no one would be fighting him for his father's place.
"What's it like, working for Mr. Emrys?" Arthur asked trying to be casual.
Elyan looked at him funnily. "Now why would you want to know that? Most folks that come to a speakeasy are looking for a good time, not to talk business."
"Well I just wanted to know more about the man who runs the place," Arthur covered.
"He's a good man," Gwen spoke up.
"He's quite popular with the ladies, Lord knows why because he's gay," snorted Elyan.
"Elyan!" Gwen blushed, "honestly, it's not like being gay is bad."
Arthur smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not one to judge."
Gwen looked relieved. "I'm glad, it's just that there are some many who do...He's had a hard time of it in the past. That's why he left his home to come here...well that and –"
"Gwen, it's not your place to going spilling our boss's secrets," hissed Mordred as he passed the table.
"That's Mordred, he's loyal to Merlin...no one knows why though," Morgana said coming up to the table. Leon and Percy had left to find girls to dance with, she had explained.
Arthur took this all in. The Druids seemed quite welcoming to him, nothing like the Pendragon Syndicate. He wondered why they were so open about everything.
Suddenly there was a swell in volume. Arthur turned to the doors to see two men enter. He immediately was attracted to the scrawnier one, who seemed to be made of all bone. He had the most angular face, and striking cheek bones Arthur had ever seen. Under a messy mop of dark brown hair were the clearest blue eyes. Instantly he knew this man must be the infamous Merlin Emrys.
"Look who finally showed up." the other one said while patting the first on the back.
"Thank you Gwaine, take my car round back," Merlin said tossing the keys.
"Sure thing. Oh, Elyan's here. Probably wants to meet with you or some such," Gwaine said before exiting again.
Merlin gently pushed his way through the crowd of women around him. He soon made it to their table. "Hello Elyan, good to see you. And who's your friend?"
"He's not my friend," Elyan said looking at Arthur.
"No, but he is mine," Morgana piped up. "Merlin, meet Arthur."
"The pleasure is all mine," Merlin said, sticking his hand out. Arthur shook it.
"Now Elyan, what is it that dragged you all the way out here?" Merlin said with a crooked grin.
Elyan smirked. "A force of nature called my sister."
Gwen smacked him playfully. "Oi, shut up. I just thought you should have a little fun, and loosen up a bit."
Merlin laughed at the siblings light bickering before once again turning to Arthur. Suddenly in the presence of the owner Arthur felt butterflies settle at the pit of his stomach.
"Er this is a good operation you got going," Arthur muttered some what nervously.
Merlin looked him over, before flashing him a crooked grin. "Now why would you want to talk business? I'm sure there are plenty of women who would be honored –"
"I don't swing that way," Arthur hastily interrupted. Immediately he regretted he had even spoken.
Merlin gave another laugh. "That's alright, most of us Druids aren't the straightest of folks. We all have our fixes."
Once again Arthur was stunned at how welcoming everyone was. He glanced at the dance floor and saw his men doing some complicated step surrounded by plenty of women. He had the feeling they would be wanting to come back soon.
"So," Merlin said interrupting Arthur's thoughts. "What's your story?"
"My...story?" Arthur had a moment of panic, he hadn't thought of a cover story.
"Yeah, everyone's got one. How did you stumble across The Magic Room?" asked Merlin. He flagged down Mordred ordering a drink, which arrived minutes later.
Arthur decided to tell the truth, mostly."My friends and I were looking for somewhere to party. I'd heard some interesting things about this place, and I wanted to see if they were true. And I ended up dragging them here."
Merlin nodded. "Does it fulfil your expectations?"
Arthur replied, "yes. This place is rather impressive."
Merlin grinned. "You should see some of our other dance halls."
"You mean there are more?" Father will be thrilled, Arthur though internally.
"Plenty. I act as the owner, and manager of the Druids. But I was mentored to do so. The true brains of the operation is a man called Gaius. He and Kilgharrah act as my advisers. They have me run everything, but they heavily influence what I do." Merlin explained.
Arthur was stunned. Gauis was one of his father's most trusted men. He had seen the man just today. He sat there in complete silence, trying to understand what he had just been told.
"Are you alright?" laughed Merlin. "It looks like you've seen a ghost."
"It's just I've heard the name Gaius before, but in relation to the Pendragon Syndicate," Arthur said slowly.
Merlin squinted his eyes at his guest as if appraising him. "Yes well it's a cover. He works for me."
As much as Arthur tried, Merlin refused to talk business. Arthur was left stumped as his host stood to go speak with Mordred and Gwaine.
"Is everything alright, Arthur?" asked Morgana looking across the table at him.
"Right as rain." He said dully.
Arthur blanched. He had no clue what he was going to tell his father the next morning.
Whoa, this was a long chapter. I hope to update soon, but I still have yet to develop an actual plot...heh..please leave a review! It will certainly help motivate me! Sorry for the long period of silence...Yrs ~T.W.o.W.