Chapter 7
Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces pass
And I'm home bound
Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making a way
Through the crowd
And I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder...
Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces pass
And I'm home bound
Arthur had never been such a nervous wreck. The only thing keeping him grounded was Morgana's nail digging vice grip on his arm. The blue rose pinned to his lapel was the only comfort he had. In his nervousness, he fiddled with his cufflinks and Morgana slapped his hand away.
"Stop it," she scolded. "Act your age."
"I can't help it. I'm a nervous wreck. I'm sweating in this suit."
"You better not be! That's Gucci. And quit fidgeting."
Arthur turned a soft glare at her. She looked stunning in her sapphire blue dress with matching sapphire necklace and earrings. Her black hair was piled on her head with invisible pins keeping it up. Morgana was the kind of person to make a t-shirt and jeans look stylish.
"I can't help it." Arthur worried his lower lip but stop at Morgana's scolding look. "I'm sorry. What if he doesn't like me? What if he thinks I'm a douche like everyone else? What if…"
"What if the sky turns to fire and your nose falls off," said Morgana with a slight giggle.
"Disney, nice. Are you done?"
"No. Honestly, Arthur, you'll be fine. From what you've told me, he obviously likes you so don't worry. Listen to that band! You've done a good job. The orchestra Dad booked would have put everyone to sleep. Trust me. I had to fucking audition them."
He laughed at his sister's word usage. His sister can act elegant in the high society that was their life but in the privacy of their rooms she was as uncouth as a west side boy. Arthur was grateful for his sister trying to get his mind off of meeting Wizard but in the back of his mind he was still a nervous wreck.
She was right through. The band was great. They downplayed the stuff they used in the Albion Bar and even played some classics. All of them were dressed in tuxedoes; Gwen's a little more feminine than the others, complete with black fedora's and black masks.
"Arthur." Arthur turned to see his father leering down at him. "When you said you had a band for tonight I didn't think…"
"Aren't they amazing, Father," said Morgana respectfully but also forcefully. "Everyone's been saying how great they are."
Uther gave her a bewildered look. People were talking about how good the band was despite their nonexistence name. It was strange for Uther to not know what was happening at his own party.
"They are?" he said condescending but also curious.
"Yes, haven't you heard? The guests love them."
Uther looked around to hear the compliments of the guests. Even with all the praise, Uther still had an offending look to him.
"Well, then, Arthur, I see you're not completely incompetent," he said. "Where did you find them?"
"They're students from school," said Arthur. "I've heard them play and thought of them when you said you lost your band. They were more than happy to fill in."
"Good, but next time, find a band that's not so amateurish. It would prefer acoustic music to this racket."
He left, leaving his son ashamed and his daughter furious.
"That bastard!" said Morgana slamming her glass on the tray of a passing waiter, almost toppling it off. "Where does he get off…?"
"No, he's right," said Arthur. "I should have gotten an orchestra."
"No, Arthur. Everyone loves the band. Don't let him make you doubt yourself. You're a smart man, Arthur. You know what people want before they do. You'll make an amazing hotel owner."
Arthur could only nod even though she knew he didn't want to be a hotel owner. That was her ambition, one he would happily give her given half the chance. She was better suited to running a business than him. She was ruthless against the competition and kind to the hotel staff. She would be a much better president of Camelot Hotel and Restaurant than Arthur. He cares about the staff but he doesn't want to be who his father wants him to be.
The band paused in playing and Gwen spoke into the mic.
"All right everyone, we're going to play you a golden oldie all of you heard at least once," she said and Will struck up on the piano as Merlin played a harmonica. When the singing started, it surprised Arthur to hear Merlin sing.
It's nine o'clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in
There's an old man sitting next to me
Making love to his tonic and gin
He says, "Son can you play me a memory
I'm not really sure how it goes
But it's sad and it's sweet
And I knew it complete
When I wore a younger man's clothes"
Sing us a song you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feeling alright
"He's good," said Morgana. "Why isn't he the lead singer?"
"Stage fright, I guess," said Arthur.
Morgana took her phone from her purse to check the time.
"Nearly eleven," she said. "Think he'll show?"
"I hope he does," said Arthur.
Morgana gave her a questioning look.
"He doesn't know that you're…"
"No."
Morgana's mouth gaped open.
"Wow."
"I like him, Morgana. I don't want him to hate me."
Morgana rubbing his arm comfortingly.
"He won't hate you, Artie," she said and earned a glare for the nickname. "You'll see. He's going to love you."
Arthur just nodded. Right now, he was just hoping Wizard would like him.
XXXXXX
The band called a brief intermission and left the stage. They were really taking a break to get Merlin ready to meet Excalibur. The outfit Merlin would be wearing was ready in the backroom. They made their good-byes to the guests and ushered Merlin to the backroom.
"Oh God, I'm so nervous," said Merlin as he pulled off his jacket. "What if he doesn't like me? What if…"
"You'll hyperventilate thinking like that," said Gwen pulling his suit out of hit's protective sleeve. "Here, put it on."
"Will you both be okay without me?" he asked taking the suit.
"Yes, we've got you recorded on the keyboard," said Will. "Everything is taken care of."
"So stop worrying," said Gwen. Merlin exhaled heavily to relieve the tension.
"I know. I'm just really, really nervous."
"He'll love you," said Gwen. "Now get changed and not put mine and Morgana's hard work to waste."
She and Will walked out to allow Merlin to dress privately. While he appreciated the gesture, he was a nervous wreck. He wanted to meet Excalibur, and at the same time run to the opposite side of the planet.
But he knew that he had to go through with it. Merlin wasn't a coward and he wasn't known for backing down on a challenge. His whole life was a challenge. The only son of a single mother, he had to live off leftovers from the diner his mother worked at part time while taking classes for veterinary assistant. His clothes mostly came from second hand stores or yard sales. The television they had was so outdate there were spots of snow on the screen and his blankets were a patchwork of the clothes he outgrew. Merlin could never hate his mother for the simple life he lived. She made do with what they had and they survived and he got into one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. In fact, he couldn't love her more.
Changing into Gwen's suit, he took off his fedora and smoothed out his hat-hair. Picking up the case that held the blue rose he picked it up and took a moment to take in its sweet scent before putting it on his lapel. Opening the door he stepped out for his friends' inspection.
"You look so handsome," said Gwen in awe. "Just one thing."
She reached up and ruffled the hair Morgana spent an hour styling.
"Hey," said Merlin ducking away. "What did you do that for?"
"Now you look gorgeous," she said. "Now go and meet your man."
She pushed him toward the exit. He hurried out and went around to the front. He hoped Excalibur left his name on the guest list. If not then all of this was for nothing.
He walked up the steps and came to the valet at the entrance. He stopped at the man's stoic stare.
"Name?" he asked.
"Uh, Wizard," he said.
The valet gave him a questioning look before looking at the list. He frowns in surprise.
"You may go," he said.
Merlin sighed in relief as he walked in. Whoever Excalibur was had connections. Walking into the hotel he went straight to the ballroom. He quickly checked his watch. He was only a couple minutes early.
He looked around nervously. People all around were talking, laughing and dancing. He was walked to the dance floor and looked around for anyone with a matching blue rose. Gwen and Will walked back up on stage and Gwen took the mic.
"Hello, everyone," she said politely. "I'm sorry to say that our guitarist had to leave early on personal business but not to worry. Will and I will continue to entertain you all with our wonderful tunes."
Will pressed a few buttons and music came out.
I used to think maybe you love me
Now baby I'm sure and I just can't wait
Till the day when you knock on my door
Now every time I go for the mailbox
Gotta hold myself down cause I just can't wait
Till you write me you're comin' around!
I'm walkin' on sunshine whoa!
I'm walking on sunshine whoa!
I'm walking on sunshine whoa!
And don't it feel good? Hey!
Oh right now!
And don't it feel good?
Merlin glared over at Gwen, who grinned and winked at him. He sighed. They must have picked the song while he was preoccupied musing over on "what ifs" with Excalibur. He supposed it was supposed to make him feel better and it did. The song was one of his mother's favorites. She sung it to Merlin when he had trouble going to sleep.
"Well, well, fancy meeting you here." Merlin turned and was shocked to see Mordred standing behind him without his mask. He wore the uniform of a waiter and had a tray under his arm. Merlin was even more relieved to see no blue rose on him.
"I don't know what you mean," said Merlin turning away.
"I know that's you, Merlin," said Mordred walking around to face Merlin. "And I don't know how you got in here. I find it interesting on how you got in as a guest."
"What do you want?" asked Merlin.
"I don't know yet," said Mordred with a smug grin. "We'll see."
He sauntered off, disappearing in the crowd. Merlin watched him walk off wondering what game he was playing at. It was obvious to everyone Merlin wanted nothing to do with him, and yet Mordred still persisted on pursuing Merlin. Merlin had a feeling something back was going to come out of it.
"Wizard?"
Merlin turned again, and found himself face to face with Arthur Pendragon. He looked gorgeous in his black suit with the red tie and blue tie pin. A white mask covered his face but there was no hiding that golden blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. And pinned to his lapel was a vibrant blue rose.
"Arthur Pendragon," he said in shock.
Arthur looked at him in shock.
"You know me," he said.
"Of course," said Merlin. "Everyone knows you. Don't you know who I am?"
"Of course I do. You're the guy I've been waiting to meet. You're Wizard." Arthur sighed as if to release tension and looked at Merlin hopefully. "What's your name?"
"I'm sorry. This was a mistake." He turned to leave but felt a hand grab his hand.
"Wait! Please, I've been waiting a long time to meet you," said Arthur almost desperately. Merlin looked at him in confusion. Couldn't Arthur see it was Merlin? "Please, just let us talk like we used to. I really want to get to know you."
Merlin paused as he saw the sincerity in Arthur's eyes. Arthur really didn't know that Wizard was Merlin.
"Okay, but I won't tell you my name. You'll have to earn that."
From the look on Arthur's face Merlin knew he didn't like the idea.
"Okay," he said. He looked around before turning back to Merlin. "Come with me."
He grabbed Merlin's hand and pulled him through the crowd.
"Where are we going?" asked Merlin surprised.
"Someplace we can talk in private," said Arthur and led him out a pair of French glass doors into the garden.
XXXXXX
Sophia watched furiously as Arthur approached an unknown man and struck up a conversation. She wasn't angry because Arthur was talking to the stranger. What made her furious was the complete look of adoration on Arthur's face as he talked to the man. He had never looked at her that way. He had never talked to her like every word she said mattered.
For six months she clung to Arthur's arm, adoring him and trying to get her to notice her, and it all went down in one night. She had to work on a plan to get back with Arthur and then into his empire. She wasn't going down without a fight.
Sophia didn't care if Arthur loved her or not. She only wanted his money. Her family may come off as prestigious but the truth was they were flat broke. Uther took over their company a year ago and now they were living off savings. They had to downsize everything from where they lived to their dress. Luckily she had Vivian to get her the latest fashion and jewelry but she still had to go to a suburban area and cook her own meals and clean her own clothes. She hated cooking and cleaning. They created maids for a reason.
As soon as she saw Arthur at the party, she hatched a plan to get him to go out with her and hopefully one day, marry her. The plan had been going smoothly until this a couple months ago. Arthur started acting distant and secretive. Sophia tried to figure out what it was but Arthur hide it well. She was about to use excessive force when Arthur broke things off with her.
She dressed up in a dress that she hoped would entice Arthur back to her; A black dress that clung to her hips and sloped down the back to reveal a fair amount of skin. She even wore a blue sapphire, Arthur's favorite gem, but he didn't even glance at her. It infuriated her that he would just ignore her and give all his attention to a total stranger.
She saw Arthur lead the mystery man out of the ball room and head toward the garden. She put her champagne flute on the tray of a passing waiter and wove around the guests to follow them. She almost reached the doors when Lancelot stepping in her way.
"Sophia, my, how beautiful you look," he said in a fake complimentary tone.
"Move, Lake," she ordered and attempted to move around him, but he moved with her.
"What's with the hostility? I was just paying you a compliment."
"I don't need your compliments. Now move out of my way."
"No," said Lancelot defiantly. Sophia glared at him. Out of all of Arthur's friends, she hated Lancelot the most. He held more sway over him than she ever did, and the peasant and those two men with their perverted lifestyle weren't making her plan any easier.
"Lancelot, move or I'll have security move you for me?" she said.
"On what grounds? Polite conversation? That'll hold up well." He leaned down to glare at her. "I know what you're up to, Sophia, and I know what you're planning, so I'm going to say this only once. Stay the hell away from Arthur. I will do anything to keep him happy, and I don't care about who gets in my way."
Sophia gave a start at the intense look in his eyes. He was serious. He really would harm her to keep Arthur happy. Eventually she got over her surprise and glared back. No one was going to stop her from getting her way.
"Just try and stop me," she said and walked away.
TBC
-Songs; 1000 Miles by Vanessa Carlton, Piano Man by Billy Joel, Walking on Sunshine by Katrine and the Waves