CHAPTER 19: GOING UP IN THE WORLD

Arthur gave Merlin a list of clothes that he felt he would need at the new rehab place Nonsuch. He sent him with Gawaine to collect them from his place. Ellie would let them in and have suitcases ready.

Merlin was shocked at how large the house was. At the top of the white marble and black chequered steps was the red door with compulsory brass knob, knocker and kick plate.

The entrance hall had four doors off it and a large staircase. Gawaine was in his element as tour guide, he motioned to two reception rooms and a dining room. "The kitchen is down that hallway but we'll go upstairs first. There are three bedrooms, two with ensuites. Arthur keeps the third room as his office." Gawaine started up the stairs, "Next floor up there are three more small rooms, one has gym equipment and the others are just guest rooms that share one bathroom. Here's Arthur's room."

Merlin paused on the doorstep; this room might mean something to him in the future. It was large with a walk in wardrobe, Merlin pulled out his list and handed it to Gawaine. In no time, he was rifling through slacks and sweaters. He passed some to Ellie who had joined them. She soon had a large suitcase packed. As Gawaine rifled through Arthur's clothes Merlin stood back and looked around him. The room was lovely with a fireplace, a huge bed, a little table with two armchairs in the large window and a rather comfy couch. The views out the large casement windows were of trees and the park so different from his rental unit which had a view of a brick wall and on the other side, a back alley. The ensuite rivalled any advert which he had seen on TV. He smiled remembering that Arthur also wanted to have a wet room as at St. Swithin's.

Ellie smiled pleasantly at Merlin saying, "Mr. Pendragon asked me to show you around." Merlin froze; Arthur's father lived here as well?

Gawaine noticed his uneasiness and said, "It's all right, Mrs. Tanner means Arthur not his father! I'll finish up here; you go and see the place as I'm sure Arthur will want to know what you thought of it when you get back to him."

Therefore, Merlin went off with Mrs. Tanner who in no time assured him that he should call her Ellie. He found her affable and easy to get along with.

The house on the other hand was a different matter. It was huge and well beyond what he had ever imagined being able to afford. He had to say it its favour, it was well proportioned and beautifully furnished. The room he felt most comfortable in was Arthur's office which seemed to personify Arthur from the photos on the walls to the football on his desk. He would have been happy to have stayed there looking at all the framed photos of Arthur's school and university days. Gawaine and his other friends were in a most of them.

They passed one door and Ellen explained that they were remodelling this bathroom into a wet room. Merlin nodded adding that Arthur was very impressed with the one in rehab. Then he smiled, "Well, at least there will be no bath to clean and all the water should finally make its way down the floor drain."

Ellie smiled, she could see why Mr. Arthur had chosen this young man to be one of his friends. She often worried about his spending so much time alone. He deserved to have a happy life after what he'd gone through as a child. She'd known the family for years as her sister had been hired to look after the young Master Arthur in his family home. Not that it merited being called that as it had been a sad place for the young lad.

Finally, Gawaine reappeared, "I left the suitcases open on the bed, Ellie, if you see something that you think he will need, add it. All the jackets and pants are hanging to one side of the wardrobe. He'll only need one pair of dress shoes as I think he is safer in trainers and joggers, don't you Merlin?" Merlin agreed as Gawaine continued, "Once Arthur gets the actual transfer date, Tom's driving them to Surrey, isn't he?"

Ellie nodded, "…and possibly Mr. Arthur as well, if he thinks he can manage in the car."

Merlin was impressed with how easily Gawaine talked to Arthur's staff but then again he probably had staff at his parent's home. He would love to show his mother Arthur's house, she'd think she'd died and gone to heaven!

-0-0-

Arthur convinced Merlin that he should give up his flat as if he was going to be in Surrey, it was silly paying rent. Actually that worked out well as the landlord had someone interested in the place within hours so Merlin didn't need to mess around with subletting. He could move out immediately with the landlord's blessing as he wanted to repaint it before the next tenant moved in.

Gawaine had insisted that Merlin spend the next few days with him and had opening his flat to the little spotted cat as well. Merlin packed his meagre belongings and his only pieces of furniture, a bed, good armchair and an antique desk. Arthur had offered to have Tom come and take them to his place. Merlin had agreed with reservations as he felt that it was a bit premature to be moving his furniture into Arthur's.

Tom had been enamoured by Spot and he had mentioned her to Ellie with the result that Ellie had told Merlin that if he ever needed a cat sitter she would be only too happy to offer her home. In the end, he had taken up her offer knowing that Spot would have more company when he went away. He thought the cat if left with Gawaine would have spent most of the time alone as he was so often at Bridie's. He knew he would have taken good care of her but it was still an imposition. Ellie on the other hand seemed to think it was a treat having a cat to stay.

He took her over one day and Ellie showed him where Spot would be living and how she would to begin with, take her out into the garden on a leash until she was used to the place. The garden although not massive was surrounded by ten foot stone walls and Merlin knew that Spot would be safe and settle in quite happily. For heaven's sake, he would have settled in there quite happily.

When he had told him that, Arthur had laughed saying, "Told you so, that house is calling to have its own Merlin!"

Arthur had been thrilled that he'd given up his flat and accepted that Merlin would be spending time at Gawaine's. He'd given Gawaine the ultimatum that if he so much as smiled at Merlin the wrong way, he would no longer consider him a friend. Gawaine had taken it in the manner in which it had been delivered and smiled saying, "Shucks, Arthur, I guess that means no cuddling on the sofa….but, do we really have to have separate beds?"

Arthur had laughed and thrown a hoodie at him as although Merlin liked Gawaine, he was quite safe in the knowledge that Merlin's heart belonged to him.

A representative from the Nonsuch team had personally visited Arthur in London to further explain the facilities and ask if there was anything special that he would require while there. They could offer room service should Arthur prefer not to eat in the dining room, as well as special diets and daily maid service. There was also a question as to whether he would be accompanied by his own manservant or a private nurse.

Arthur had smiled; he knew that the special service was because he had chosen the top accommodation that they had to offer. The cost for the room and board was way over what he would consider paying in a five-star hotel but he knew what he wanted. The fact that it was available had easily convinced him that after spending months on his back, he deserved to be treated like royalty. The insurance would be paying a percentage of the cost with the extra being paid out of his own pocket. If Merlin ever got wind of how much the stay was going to cost, Arthur would explain it as a Christmas present to himself, well-deserved albeit belated.

There was a delay in Arthur's relocation to Nonsuch. He was ready to go but at the other end there was a problem due to a death in the family of the man who was moving out. The St. Swithin's end was annoyed but the new place contacted Arthur by phone and explained apologetically that they could take him immediately but not if he still wanted the accommodation of his choice.

Arthur decided to wait.

-0-0-

Merlin had moved in with Gawaine and he had one niggling thought, so he said on the first evening, "I hope I won't be cramping your style."

"What style? It's been very quiet around here recently!"

"But what about Bridie?"

"Well, I've been spending more time at her place, and that, My Dear Merlin," Gawaine had said with a wink and a pat on the back, "… is why it has been very quiet around here."

Arthur had again offered his house. Although Merlin felt quite comfortable with the housekeeper Ellie and her husband Tom, he felt that he would prefer to have the police charges against Uther settled before antagonising him even further should he hear that he had moved into his son's vacant home. He would not admit it outright but Uther frightened him. He smiled recalling one of his mother's favourite idioms, 'Once bitten, twice shy!'

He often wondered how such an insufferable man could have anyone as nice as Arthur as his son. Then he remembered another proverb, 'Like father, like son!' Merlin just prayed that Arthur had not received Uther's questionable traits but deep down he knew it was a possibility.

Arthur never spoke about his mother but Merlin was sure that her personality was more apparent in Arthur, who was thoughtful, loving and truthful. There was no nastiness in him and he was not spiteful or a bully. He was open-hearted and kind and Merlin knew that he could never have loved a man who resembled Uther.

He wondered if it were possible that all Uther's negative traits had been learned and not inherited. Arthur didn't know his grandparents so he wouldn't be able to help but Merlin thought he might do a little research on them. Not immediately but before he committed himself completely to Arthur.

He didn't know much about his own father, just that he had been a doctor, whom his mother had met at the hospital. He had been an only child whom his mother had truly loved. His parents were both dead but she spoke of them fondly. She could never have loved a nasty person so he just accepted that his father had been a real gentleman and he was happy to be his son.

-0-0-

At last, the day arrived when Arthur was discharged from St. Swithin's, the head of the Therapy department dropped by to wish him all the best and Arthur for a moment wondered how much his father had given to the hospital trying to hush up his disruptive outbursts. However, the man seemed genuine and congratulated Merlin on being an important part of Arthur's recuperation.

Tom brought the car around making sure that the passenger's seat was back as far as possible and Graham supervised Arthur's transfer from his wheelchair to the car. Merlin sat in the back and breathed a sigh of relief as the car pulled away from the hospital. Graham was taking a month's holiday so he waved them off.

The trip would take not more than one hour depending on the traffic getting out of London. It was decided that should Arthur need to stretch his legs, they would stop at a pub for lunch as it was a nice day and they could probably sit outside.

As it was it was Merlin who wanted to stop as he decided Arthur needed a break and they should have a light meal before arriving at Nonsuch.

"I can just phone for room service, if I get hungry," Arthur insisted.

"Well, I am hungry now and I'm sure Tom would like a pint and something before he turns around to drive home."

They pulled over at a little pub/restaurant called The Thatch which served a light lunch. There was a garden beside it and once Arthur was in his chair, Tom pushed him towards it. Merlin went inside to order. He returned with three pints. Arthur brightened up as it was the first one he'd had since his accident. Merlin said, "It's OK, I checked with Graham and he said the medication that you're on is safe as long as you don't get carried away."

The food when it arrived was very good and Merlin decided that it would be worth remembering the place if Arthur got bored staying at Nonsuch. His weekends would be therapy-free and there was a possibility he would want to return home but nothing had been decided and Merlin was happy to go along with whatever he wanted to do.

Once safely packed into the car, they continued to the rehab centre. Merlin was impressed it was more attractive than even its photographs. They drove to the building marked office but were redirected to the front door as Arthur would be a resident. While Tom unloaded the luggage Merlin helped Arthur out of the car. Tom came around with his wheelchair which he refused to use.

"Merlin, if you are beside me I can walk from here."

"...and the stairs?"

"I can manage them, I want to arrive as I intend to continue but you could pass me my walking stick," he added to Tom.

Merlin knew that once Arthur was determined to do something, there would be no persuading him otherwise. It was maybe ten strides along a level path and then three wide but shallow stairs. Arthur took the stick and resting hardly any weight on Merlin's arm, they reached the steps. As he did so, the door was opened and a gentleman stepped out saying, "Welcome, Mr. Pendragon, we hope that your stay with us will be beneficial." A younger man walked out and took the cases off Tom.

"Arthur turned saying, "Thank-you, Tom, tell Ellie that we arrived in fine form and see that the other car arrives by Wednesday."

Tom nodded saying, "Very well, Sir!"

Merlin looked at Arthur, "What other car?"

"Nothing to worry about, just an idea I had. Let's get on in."

The entry hall was expensive looking and Merlin felt that maybe he should have removed his shoes. A lift took Arthur up one flight. The gentleman who had introduced himself as Harris asked if Arthur wished to use his wheelchair.

"I'm capable of standing without any trouble. Maybe, once I leave the lift."

"Well, Sir, as you have our corner suite there is a little walk; I think that would make sense."

Arthur asked Harris how long he had been at Nonsuch and Harris told him that he had been a butler in London but his gentleman had died and ten years ago, he had decided to accept the position here as house manager. "Anything you want that is not related to your therapy programme, I am the man to see."

They passed quite a few doors and Merlin was intrigued that each room had a name as well as a discreet number in the upper left corner…Belvoir, Cardigan and Muchlock being a few of them. At the end of the corridor, the hallway opened up and there was a staircase complete with an oak table and flower arrangement and it was opposite there that Harris stopped.

"You, Sir, are in the Tintagel Suite. The luggage will be up shortly." He unlocked the door and stood aside for Arthur and Merlin to enter. Merlin's eyes opened wide, this was better than any hotel he had ever seen. There was a small hallway, leading to a sitting room, with huge windows overlooking the parkland. He smiled at Arthur and nodded.

Arthur face broke out into a big grin, "It reaches your expectations, Merlin?"

He swung the chair around and thanked Harris slipping him a fiver.

"But no, Sir, that is not necessary…"

"Please..." said Arthur, "I might turn out to be a very difficult resident."

"I doubt that, Sir!" said Harris seriously as he pocketed the money and left the room.

"Let's explore!" Arthur said.

"Did you see the name of the suite, Tintagel, quite appropriate isn't it?"

Arthur just shook his head at him saying with a laugh, "You might think I have only eyes for your body but, Merlin, your mind is as intriguing!"

Laughing Merlin said, "Do you think the guest rooms are also named? Maybe mine will by Camelot?"

Arthur said nothing but if Merlin had turned around he would have seen a little smile on his face.

They had got no further than the living area with its recessed kitchen when there was a knock at the door and the second man from downstairs came in with both Arthur's and Merlin's luggage on a hotel trolley.

Merlin went to say something about his luggage but Arthur stopped him saying, "Thank you, we can sort it out from here." The man placed the suitcases on the floor, nodded and left closing the door quietly behind him.

Going over to get Arthur's suitcases, Merlin was stopped by Arthur's saying, "I thought you wanted to explore, we can see to those later."

The bedroom which occupied the corner of the building had multiple windows, it was in Merlin's mind, fantastic. There was a king-sized bed, with decorative pillows and a thick wool throw. Merlin walked over and sat on it and found the mattress firm and then he saw the buttons and realised it was a hospital bed. He grinned at Arthur before saying, "…all tarted up to suit the room!"

Everything was of superior quality from the bedside lamps to the window curtains. Arthur felt quite at home, it reminded him of the family house in the country, without the dread that at any moment his father might charge in.

The ensuite was a wet room and there was a walk in closet/dressing room. There was still another door and Arthur wheeled toward it and Merlin leant over to open it. It was another bedroom, so he said, "Arthur, you will be able to have guests."

"I don't think I want to share my suite with guests, what do you think?"

"Well, Gawaine would love to come, I'm sure." He walked into the room. It was small but well equipped. There was a door which opening into the dressing room, "Arthur you could get lost in this place."

In the distance, Merlin could hear what sounded like a gong; he looked up at Arthur and started to giggle…

Arthur grinned looking at his watch said, "Afternoon tea!"

By then Merlin had lost it and was rolling around on the bed in the little room, "Arthur, you have to be kidding, a gong to alert residents that afternoon tea is being served in the conservatory? It's like Downton!"

"On the desk is a list of all the mealtimes but I don't want to get cleaned up and go to dinner. I'll order room service for two."

"Maybe I should go down to the office and find out which room I'm in."

Arthur shook his head, "I wouldn't bother as you're already there."

"No, Arthur, I remember that the guest accommodation is in the new wing."

"It might be but once I heard that this suite had a manservant's room I knew it was meant for us. If you would prefer to sleep elsewhere I am sure it can be arranged."

Merlin looked at Arthur in astonishment, "I can stay here, with you?"

"I ran it by Gawaine and he thought that it was an excellent idea but in Gawaine fashion added that when he came over the weekend, he wanted the man-servant's room for himself and you would have to share my bed." Merlin blushed but felt that maybe on a cold stormy night it would be nice to share with Arthur and listen to the rain pelting the windowpanes. "However, I told him that that was a little premature as the room was yours and yours alone."