CHAPTER 25 : A BOY WHO LIVES IN A STATELY HOME
During breakfast, Arthur suggested that Merlin speak to his mother. He had some business to attend to so it would give Merlin something to do. He did as suggested and Hunith said that both Gaius and she were well and would see him at the funeral. Merlin said that Arthur had said they would be welcomed to stay at the manor after the funeral but his mother said that it made more sense for them to leave and start the drive home.
"Look after yourself, Dear, and we'll see you in the church."
"Right," said Merlin"…and tell Gaius to drive carefully. Do you have a god map? No use getting lost." His mother laughed and said that she was sure they would manage quite nicely. "Love you, Mum!" Merlin said and disconnented.
By eleven o'clock, Merlin and Arthur had finished their appointment with the tailor and Tom had driven them out of London to Minton. They had passed St. Cuthbert's Church in the village and turned off the road through stately gates with a lodge to drive across the parkland to the house. Merlin was shocked. Arthur had not prepared him for the majesty of the place. He'd called in 'my father's' or 'the family home' but that had not readied him for what he was seeing.
Arthur noticed the look of alarm on his face and had grasped his hand saying, "It's been in my mother's family for generations. I realise it must seem massive but you'll get used to it and I hope feel comfortable here."
"Arthur, you could have warned me!" Merlin looked across the park and saw a herd of red deer. Closer to the main house he saw paddocks and horses. "I don't think I brought the right clothes with me…"
Laughing Arthur said, "Suits me if you wander around in your birthday suit all day. Stop worrying; it will just be you, me and a couple of visitors for the next two days. The staff has been here for years and nothing can shock them. The house will fill up on the day of the funeral but before then we have the place to ourselves. Hodge is the butler, been here donkey's years and has everything in hand. He is married to the housekeeper who still goes by her maiden name Mrs. Parsons."
The car swept up to the front door and Tom got out to open the back for a servant to take their cases. Two people whom he supposed were Hodge and his wife stood just below the steps. Arthur greeting both of them and Merlin nodded hopping that he didn't look the way he felt, as if he were on his way to the scaffold.
Hodge said, "Good After, Sir. I hope you had a pleasant drive down."
"Yes, thank you we did. This is Mr. Emrys he will be staying until I leave." He turned to Mrs. Parsons and said, "Did the other guests arrive safely?"
"Yes, Sir, they did and will see you for dinner."
Arthur then walked into the house. To say that Merlin thought that he was on the tour of a Stately Home was understating how he felt. His mind was able to appreciate the beautifully hall with its marble floor, rich woodwork, massive hearth and balcony. He felt that the stairs belonged on a movie set.
There was too much for him to take in before Hodge said, "Mr. Emrys's luggage will be taken to your wing, Sir."
"Thank you, Hodge, I think we can manage from here. I'd like a light lunch in the conservatory around two o'clock."
Hodge bowed and left.
They were alone and Merlin said, "Arthur, I think you might have prepared me, I thought you lived in a quaint manor house. No wonder you can afford to have multiple properties in London, I was just getting used to that and you spring this on me."
"Don't you like it?"
Merlin spun around to once again take in the massive three storey hall and said, "Arthur, it's beyond my wildest expectations!"
Grabbing his hand and dragging him into another room, Arthur said, "You haven't seen anything yet…!"
He wasn't lying; Merlin saw reception rooms full of works of art, a huge room capable of seating twenty-four diners complete with side boards and casement windows with a western aspect. The library was beautiful with leather chairs asking to be occupied by a reader. They saw a smaller dining room which Arthur referred to as the breakfast room and explained that they would probably eat there unless they wanted to eat upstairs.
"Do you really have your own wing?"
"Well, my father hated being disturbed and I was sort of banished to the East wing. You'll like it; it is less ostentatious and I have tried to make it more to my liking. Think of it as a flat within a larger house. I have my bedroom…" he winked and corrected himself, "…our bedroom, an office, a lounge cum TV room, a guestroom, a small dining room and a kitchen. The cook would have a fit if I ever prepared my own meals but it's handy for a cup of tea."
They were walking up a long flight of stairs and Arthur suddenly froze. Merlin felt him shudder and he followed where he was looking and at the top of the stairs was a massive oil-painting of his father. Arthur's sudden good spirits were gone and he muttered something under his breath about having that moved as soon as possible.
Merlin was going to say that he should give it time but it really wasn't any of his business and it probably could be relegated to another part of the house. The canvas was huge and Merlin decided it must have taken tens of gallons of paint to complete the work. They turned and continued up the next flight. Arthur opened a set of doors into a long corridor. It was so obviously Arthur's that Merlin had to smile.
"My father didn't approve of my choice of oil-paintings or sculptures but I like animals and landscapes. Family members from years gone by are fine but I don't want to live with them. Honestly, as a kid I used to think that I lived in a museum's art gallery."
Merlin laughed, true they were surrounded by horses and rustic looking farm animals and beautiful bucolic scenes. Nonetheless, they were beautiful and interesting much preferable to the seventeenth Duke of Somewhere or Another in his finery for the coronation of George III. There was one large painting of horses which he wouldn't be surprised to learn was a Stubbs.
Arthur was pleased to see that Merlin approved of his art work and said candidly, "There's a small Canaletto downstairs which I now intend to put in my room. I mentioned it once to my father when I was sixteen but he said, 'Why ever would I allow you to hide that masterpiece away in the dump you call your room!'
"Gawaine was here once and we got as far as taking it off the wall while my father was out of the country but Hodge felt that it should stay where it belonged until my father told him to move it to my wing…which as you can imagine never happened!" Merlin just grinned and shook his head.
Arthur was like a kid showing him around. It reminded Merlin of the first time he had invited Padraig to his house and how excited he had been to share everything with him almost forgetting to go down for tea until his mother had called up to them.
Arthur's bedroom was large with a seating area and a walk in closet. "Probably the dressing room." he said in passing.
"The ensuite was renovated a couple of years ago but I think I might change it to a wet room…" They walked back into the corridor and Arthur threw open two other doors, my office and the dining room. The lounge is my favourite room to sit in, it has a view of the park and in the distance the village. I usually rattled around here all on my lonesome but now it will be so nice as you are here."
-0-0-
By two o'clock they were in the conservatory having a light lunch then Arthur wanted to show Merlin a little of the land. There was a covered Olympic sized pool, tennis courts and stables. Arthur went into one building and came out on an electric golf buggy. "Don't think I can get there on foot as I'm rather tired but we can use this. As a kid, I used to race the stableman's daughter as we had two of them But one day someone…," he pointed to himself, "…landed in the lake and golf cart privileges were curtailed." Merlin enjoyed the little electric four-seater. They whizzed around the paths and reached the stable.
Arthur went over and opened the door and looked at his watch motioning for Merlin to be quiet and creep in. The place seemed empty. He motioned Merlin over to one of the large box stalls and he peeked over the edge of the door and saw a grey, fast asleep. In the next box was a large bay completely stretched and the only reason Merlin knew that he was alive was the occasional twitching of his ears and the steady rise and fall of his rib cage.
Arthur was grinning, he whispered, "They're having a siesta." The next box had a chestnut with its legs neatly curled up under itself, snoring.
They walked into another section and there was a doubly large box with another bay standing fast asleep resting one hip. In the same box was a little grey donkey and in the box next to her a black horse lying flat out.
Arthur slipped his arm around Merlin's shoulders as they stood looking at the black horse. He traced a line from his cheek to his collarbone and then decided to add a few kisses. Merlin turned to face him and what had started out as gently kisses became more demanding.
There was something peaceful and safe about the stable and Merlin moved himself so that he could feel Arthur against him. Arthur ran his hand down his back pulling him even closer. Standing there Arthur felt pleasant feelings stirring through his body. Suddenly, he realised the feeling which he had been missing since November was present. Nothing to write home about but he knew that all hope was not lost and what the doctors had forecast was possibly happening.
He pulled back and looked at Merlin shocked. Merlin meantime thinking that he had acted improperly looked worried. Arthur gave him a hug unwilling to let him go and afraid of saying something in case it was false hope.
Finally he held Merlin away from him and said very quietly, "Merlin, I think maybe I'm on the road to recovery."
Looking puzzled, Merlin said, "What do you mean?"
Arthur motioned downwards with his eyes and said, "Something happened…"
Merlin jumped forward and threw his arms around his neck, "I knew you'd get better, I'm so happy for you…and me!" he added on second thought, blushing slightly.
"Well, I think it might still be awhile before we can do anything but…" Arthur tried to talk but couldn't.
Merlin used his thumbs to brush away the tears which were on Arthur's cheeks, saying with a grin, "Can I tell my mother when I next speak to her? Can I, Arthur? Can I?"
"Don't you dare this is just something between us and..." he motioned to the bay mare who had come over to her door. "Sorry to disturb your nap but we wanted to share our news with someone." He took Merlin by the hand laughing and led him out into the sunshine.
-0-0-
Once outside, they sat on a bench against the stable wall overlooking an interior courtyard. "So what did you think?"
"I think it is the best news that I've heard in a long time."
Arthur laughed, leaning forward to ruffle his hair, "…the stables, Merlin, the stables not that..."
Merlin laughed and looked around at the wooden half doors, the large windows, beautiful window boxes and pointed roof. "It's a lovely building. Who were the horses?"
The mare with the donkey is Enda. She's quite old and finds lying down easy but getting up difficult so she prefers to sleep standing up. The donkey with her is a rescue animal called Neddy. They are inseparable. The grey is Contessa, an Arabian, the chestnut is Sykes from Oliver Twist and the bay is Jake, a corruption of Jack the Ripper, half-brothers sired by my father's stallion Executioner. Don't ask me why but my father names his offspring after murderers. The sturdy black is a Friesian crossbred called Ynys for the coal mines on Anglesey but it's been corrupted to Guinness which suits me fine."
"…and where is The Executioner? If he all full of fire and out to right all wrongs?"
"He was as a youngster but he settled down and he's a real gentleman. Something like, 'yours truly'!" Merlin gave him a friendly punch in the ribs. "I'll have to check but I'm pretty sure he's leased to a stud outside Bristol."
They stood and walked back to the golf cart. Merlin mentioned that he had never see horses sleeping like that. Arthur explained that they only did it when they felt perfectly safe in their surroundings. "You know, one day I intend to start riding again, nothing too demanding to begin with just nice walks. I intend to take you and you can take your pick but think that maybe Enda would be a good choice to begin with and Neddy will tag along behind.
"Will you keep the horses?" Merlin felt bad once he had said it as it was a little premature when Uther had not even been buried.
But Arthur wasn't the least fazed and said, "The place would seem strange without them and they're no trouble as we have a wonderful farm manager and a reliable stableman. A green space is not a field unless is has living lawn ornaments…and those we certainly have."
Merlin looked around him; there was certainly plenty of place to ride. Arthur pointed out a good sized track through the woods, "That goes through all the parkland and the only traffic on it would be the Manor Farm vehicles. You'd be quite safe and the worse thing that could happen would be that she'd take off and I would find you sitting on her outside the stable door. Mind you, if Neddy is more your style let me know?"
The thought of riding a donkey struck Merlin as hilarious. He'd done it of course as a child at Weston-Super-Mare but with the length of his legs he was sure as an adult that he could trail his feet of the ground. He grinned and looked at Arthur, wondering if he realised how much he really loved him and how his whole live revolved around this man.
If they hadn't been on the golf cart, Arthur would have wrapped himself around Merlin. His laughter was contagious and when he started to recount his ride at Weston, in no time, he was also laughing.
They returned the golf cart and Arthur plugged it in. "My father was very insistent that if you borrowed something it was returned to its respective place in good condition. Guess it's just force of habit."
Merlin linked his arm with Arthur's and they made their way into the house.
-0-0-
Arthur had decided they would eat in the breakfast room downstairs. "It's easier for the staff and I can guarantee that the food will be hot. I've invited a couple of guests, no one too difficult. Once the meal is over we can leave them and come up here."
As long as Arthur was there, Merlin didn't care who else was invited. They took the lift downstairs and Hodge walked forward and said, "Dinner will be served in ten minutes and the houseguests are in the drawing room."
Arthur nodded and grabbing Merlin's elbow pointed him in the right direction. Merlin thought, 'I'm never going to get the layout of this place. It's worse than a big hotel.'
As they reached the door, Arthur opened it, holding it open for Merlin. The room was beautifully decorated and he decided just what he had come to expect after a couple of hours at Minton. Two people rose to meet them and Merlin turned to Arthur who nodded towards the guests. Merlin turned and almost fell over. Gaius was standing behind his mother who was hurrying toward him.
He grinned back at Arthur and swept her up in his arms, "What are you doing here?" He put her down and said, "Gaius, what a lovely surprise." Gaius grinned at him and nodded at Arthur.
Hunith said, "Arthur arranged it. We were picked up at home and driven here yesterday. Arthur wanted to keep it a secret and we managed that didn't we, Arthur?"
"But I only spoke to you this mornig, how did you manage that?"
"The wonders of science, I have my cell-phone with me. You thought I was home but I was already here."
Dinner was wonderful not only the food but also the company. Gaius fitted in well and Arthur gave him a quick tour of the artwork on the ground floor while Merlin sat talking to his mother. "I can't believe that Arthur was that sneaky. He might have at least warned me."
"Why? Wasn't it a lovely surprise?"
"Of course, it was…my second one today!" His mother looked at him quizzically but he just shook his head and said, "Nothing bad, actually something great but I promised his lordship not to mention it just yet." He laughed and added, "Keep mum, Mum!"
Hunith smiled as long as Merlin was happy, she knew that everything was all right and any secrets would finally be shared when the time was right. "Arthur looks very well, he'd getting around better and has a less worrisome attitude."
"He is, he made great strides at Nonsuch and I think maybe another fifteen days and more tests will see him being released as an out-patient. He can manage most things just gets a little tired and today he's been talking about getting back to riding. Hasn't mentioned driving but I think over the next couple of weeks, I'll have him driving the Mini on the rehab's private roads. Who would ever have thought that we would both have had Minis, Mum?"
Arthur walked in on that and said, "Don't tell me he's boring you about his Mini? I'm sure that if he had the opportunity he'd have it in bed with us…" Arthur realised what he'd said and blushed.
Hunith reached out and touched his hand saying, "Well, I for one am looking forward to seeing it! I always believe, once a Mini owner always a Mini fan."
Merlin grinned and slipped his arm around her shoulders, "See, I told you my mother was the heighth of discretion, Arthur. Nothing you can say will upset her. Right Mum?" He leant forward and gave Arthur a grin brushing his lips against his cheek.
They sat around talking until Hunith said that she thought she would turn in. Gaius agreed and Arthur arranged for someone to show them to their rooms. He said, "This place can get rather confusing however, after a few days you'll get the hang of it."
Once they were again alone, Arthur turned to Merlin laughing, "Your mother is a gem. I can't believe what I said about the two of us in bed with your car."
Merlin smiled shyly at him saying, "Don't worry, I think she'd already figured that out. She knows me inside out."
"Gaius certainly loves you; you can see how proud he is of you. I think he considers you his son. You were very lucky to have him around growing up, your childhood must have been so happy with your Mum and your great Uncle."
"It was but I'd be even happier if we also went upstairs. You've had a long day and I think you're ready for bed." Merlin had noticed that Arthur was suddenly looking drawn and he knew that the idea of tomorrow and his father's funeral was worrying him.