CHAPTER 5 : AN ENEMY IN THE CAMP
Merlin took advantage of his half day and tidied his flat. He collected up his dirty clothes and went down to the basement where there were a couple of coin-fed machines for the apartment dwellers' convenience. He took his lunch and a book down with him. One day, when he'd been there for no longer than three weeks, a football shirt had gone missing from the drier. It was a lesson learnt and he never left clothing unsupervised after that. In the evenings and on weekends the place used to be busy, funny that he had never bumped into Arthur. He nodded at the girl using the other dryer, she was Swiss, a manager in training at Au Printemps the large department store, sharing her flat with an American from Cinncinati. It really was often a mini United Nations in the laundry room.
His phone rang and it was a friend from Wales, coming over for the weekend. His train was due in at the Gare Du Nord in two hours. Once Merlin, emptied the dryer, he hightailed it to the fifth floor and put everything away. He put some clean towels, a sheet and blanket on the sofa and looked around. The place although small, looked welcoming. Leon often came to stay. He was older but the two of them had become friends. Leon's parents were friends of Gaius and when Merlin needed some help in maths, his parents had suggested that their son help this new kid from Belfast.
It had been a bit awkward to begin with but soon Merlin had been accepted by Leon's group and had actually remained friendly with many of them over the years. Leon's parent's had invited Merlin to accompany them on holidays, one to Germany and Merlin thanked his lucky stars as the trip to Bavaria had included a visit to Neuschwanstein. Leon's father was a photo journalist and the rest of the holiday was spent comparing shots of Ludwig II's famous castle and the surrounding mountains.
Merlin had always thought the scenery of home was wonderful but when he first saw the Alps, he was dumbfounded. He'd never in all his life been speechless and the splendour of mountains had remained with him to this day. Even thinking of mountains did something to his knees. He couldn't explain why but it brought home to him the magnificence of God's creation.
Frank, Leon's father had recognised a budding photographer and had encouraged Merlin. To this day when he returned home, he always spent a day showing Frank his shots and learning from the older man's advice and critical eye. Leon to his father's disgust was more interested in polo and re-enactments of medieval tournaments. Merlin smiled to himself as Frank was very supportive, stabling a collection of horses and spending hours taking photos of the events and was much in demand by many of the groups. Merlin was a good rider and at home there was a photo of him dressed as a knight astride one of Leon's horses, cantering toward Frank with his visor down and his lance lowered. His mother was most impressed and had it on the mantle. However, Leon had yet to get him onto a polo field even though he quite happily exercised the ponies with him.
Putting those thoughts aside, he grabbed his coat and a warm scarf and took the Metro from Kleiber. He was in plenty of time and treated himself to a coffee and a patisserie. Soon the Eurostar arrived and he waited at the bottom of the stairs from the International Arrivals. Leon arrived looking rested and happy, waving down at him.
He engulfed Merlin in his arms. "That was from Gaius!" and kissing Merlin on the cheek laughed saying, "…and that is from your Mam! ...and this," he said swinging Merlin around, "Is from me!"
Merlin hugged him back and frowned as he heard two old women tutting. "Vielles vaches!' he whispered to himself.
Leon said laughing, "Paris is doing you good. You've put on weight since my last visit and your French has obviously improved."
Merlin grinned picking up Leon's bag. "I've been eating lunch at work and everything seems to be going well. Let's get you back to the flat."
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They'd spent half of the night talking so Saturday they slept in and by noon were ravenous. They had Sunday planned, after Mass at Montmatre, they planned to visit Les Invalides for the National Army Museum's medieval displays. Merlin knew that Leon was always into new tack for his tournaments and had happened upon the display when he had gone to visit Napoleon's tomb.
Leon made them some eggs and they set out for one of their favourite places if it wasn't raining, sitting outside the Louvre watching the people go by. They walked the perimeter of the building, with Merlin taking a picture of Leon on the little bridge with all the padlocks. "There'll be hell to pay if the city decides to remove them," Merlin said.
"Yes, but what will happen if they want to paint the bridge or it if just gets so loaded down that it is closed to pedestrians."
"Can you imagine putting a padlock on and coming back in fifty years, trying to find it to see if it is still there?"
"Merlin, you're a romantic at heart. Maybe there is a padlock thief who comes along with a special key and removes any which he thinks he could resell."
Merlin grinned at him, giving him a shove and raced away calling back, "Well, my romantic tendencies make up for your heartlessness!"
"I do too have a heart!"
Smiling Merlin returned to him putting his arm around his shoulder, "I know, I remember how you cried at War Horse!"
Leon nodded, "But I didn't need a handkerchief. I was manly just wiping away the tears. You practically needed sandbags to keep the other theatre goers dry. I'm surprised the actors could hear themselves over your sobs and… didn't you promise that we would never mention that again?"
Merlin grinned hanging onto Leon, "Yes, Oh ancient one, but I think it was at that moment that I realised you were the fatherly figure missing from my life."
"Don't be silly, I'm not that much older than you, anyway you have Gaius!"
"Do you remember when we used to travel with your parents on holidays how people took it for granted that we were brothers. Remember that bossy women telling your Mum that I was the spitting image of her, while you looked only like your Dad."
"And for the rest of the holiday my Mum called you 'Son'. Boy, they were good times! Now you are all grown up in Paris and I'm changing jobs. That's why I came this weekend. There won't be much time for me to flip backwards and forwards to Paris for a little while. I'll have to put my nose to the grindstone."
"What are you doing?"
"Still veterinary work but I'm going into research with Equine Vet Services at the British Equestrian Federation based in Kenilworth. I can have two horses with me and Dad says he'll keep the others even though they are eating him out of house and home."
"Don't kid yourself he loves them."
"I know he does and he refers to them as his eight lawn ornaments!"
It was getting chilly so Merlin said, "Let's make out way back now and beat the tourists returning to their hotels on the Metro. Last week, it was bedlam. Anyway, we're meeting some of my group at Jack's tonight. Met another chap from work whom you'll like he's from Ireland and I don't think anyone could drink him under the table." For some reason which even Merlin didn't fully understand, he omitted mentioning Arthur whose name had certainly been on the tip of his tongue.
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As he had expected, Leon and Gawaine struck it off immediately. Seems Gawaine was also an avid horseman and had attended tournaments with his father. Merlin sat back happily listening to all the latest accoutrements from barding to braiding. He even passed Leon his camera so that he could show Gawaine some of his horses, in full jousting regalia.
Gawaine was impressed, "Hey, Merlin if I had realised your connections, I would have curried your favour earlier."
Merlin laughed. He really felt at home within his group. Lance had gone off for the weekend with his girlfriend but Tom was there and he knew that Arthur was in Chantilly. Tom suddenly said, "Bet, Arthur's not having such a good time as we are."
Leon's ears pricked up at the name Arthur and looked quizzically at Gawaine who just said, "Another one of our group who is at the bosses place in Chantilly." He looked at Merlin but when he made no comment, he got back into a conversation about conventional shoeing with Leon. Merlin breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't understand why he was being so secretive but at the moment, that was the way he wanted it, whatever that was.
Later, they parted, Gawaine and Tom going onto another bar while Leon and Merlin walked home. They'd had an interesting day and were ready to turn in. Once again they spoke late into the night until Merlin remembered that they'd have to be up early as they had a busy Sunday ahead of them.
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After Mass, Merlin spent most of his Sunday taking photos of various exhibits at Les Invalides. Leon was in his element, already he had chosen what tack he hoped to have his horses in for next year's tournament season.
As they walked back to the flat, Merlin said, "But what about work?"
"The hours seem pretty flexible over the weekends. Weekdays are the regular eight to four but those times can change depending on what work we are doing. I'm going to give it a couple of years before I decide if this is my permanent job, a lot depends on donations for the various researches and grants. Mind you, getting published is also important."
"But I can't see you sitting behind a computer screen or a microscope for days."
"That, Merlin, is hopefully why we have technicians. I want to be more involved in the surgical side of things."
"Well then, don't get too involved with your patients as equine surgery is often a failure."
"Thanks, Dr. Merlin, for that vote of confidence."
"…but don't you remember when Hugo died. You were heartbroken…"
"I was a young vet student and it was the first animal which I operated on…
"And it died! That threw you for a loop…and it was a rat!"
"Merlin, you have no heart!"
"War Horse!" said Merlin with a grin and nipped into the bathroom as Leon's shoe hit the door.
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Arthur had a good couple of days. He felt that he had in no way disgraced himself or his father's company. The other guests were interesting and he had felt quite at ease. The Chantilly mansion was lovely and he was very impressed with the classical walled gardens. He smiled imagining staff who spent most of their times on their knees clipping the miniature hedges and cutting handkerchief sized, geometrical shaped sections of grass with hand clippers.
By five thirty, he was back on the train to Paris and figured that if he were lucky Merlin might be at the pub as it was Sunday night. The funny thing was that he had missed him. He felt that was not only strange but ludicrous as he had met him only three days ago, He wondered what he had been up to…had he even thought about him?
Dumping his overnight bag in his hall, Arthur changed into jeans and a sweater, grabbing his coat he walked to the pub. It was still early for the night revellers but this would enable him to get a table for everyone. He was pleasantly surprised to find some of the group there but he didn't see Merlin. He stopped by the bar to order a drink.
Gawaine made room for him and said, "So how was Chantilly? Did you get everyone organised?"
"It was good, lovely accommodation, great food and drink, good company and I understood most of what everyone was saying. Must have impressed, as a chap from Tokyo wanted my name and number."
"Ah, so!" said Lance, girlfriend-less for a change, giving a solemn little bow.
Arthur grinned; it was good to be back in Paris. He intended to spend an evening with friends before crawling into bed. Tom introduced him to the chap opposite him as Leon a vet from the UK and friend of Merlin.
That sentence was enough to send warning shivers up Arthur's back. Where had he stayed? How long had they known each other? Anyway, where was Merlin now, if his friend was here surely he should be too?
"Where's Merlin?" he asked at a break in the conversation about Liverpool and Arsenal.
"He went to the bog but has probably stopped to get some drinks."
He had and he appeared with a full tray and a towel neatly folded over his forearm. "Very funny," said Gawaine, "Let me tell you, I have no intention of tipping you because you came with a tray and a bar towel."
"This is hard work, I deserve a tip."
"Screw you!" said Leon and everyone laughed except Arthur.
Merlin didn't notice Arthur until he was climbing over Leon to get back to his place. He stopped mid climb and grinned, "Arthur, you're back!"
Arthur nodded at him as Leon said, "Merlin, you're all bones, get off my knees." Merlin slid the rest of the way until he had slipped down onto the bench. He patted Leon on the thigh, smiling up at him and settled in beside him.
Sitting watching the action from across the table, Arthur could feel his blood boiling. Merlin was being much too touchy-feely with this man for his liking. No one else seemed to be paying any attention to the two of them so he tried to do the same. However, Merlin was sitting too close to Leon for his liking.
Gawaine said, "Hey, Arthur, you ride don't you? Leon here is a vet and going to be working on equine research up in Kenilworth." Gawaine was trying to help as he knew that Mr. Pendragon had racehorses. He could see that Arthur was being standoffish and Leon seemed a nice enough chap and as Merlin had explained to the others was practically family.
Leon didn't help matters by stretching his arms across the back of the bench and when Merlin put his head back it was leaning on Leon's arm. Arthur was so tempted to finish his drink and leave when he noticed Merlin smiling shyly at him. He couldn't help but smile back.
Merlin mentioned that Leon and he had gone to the bridge with the padlocks, Arthur immediately bristled. Obviously his reading of Merlin was wrong! He already was in a relationship and probably they'd attached a padlock there themselves. "I thought that if someone got a padlock, we could get it engraved with Paris, the year, InVest with our initials. We could start something and then in fifty years, we could totter onto the bridge and find the padlock, and come back here to toast our time in Paris."
Tom said, "If Jack's is still here!"
"If the bridge is still there…" said Gawaine.
Tom said, "Come on, Gawaine, how many padlocks have you put on the bridge over the last six months with your various girlfriends? Forever, G. and Laurie! Till Death Do Us Part, G. and Anne! Always Remembered, G. and Patsy! Part of Me, G. and Michelle! Never to be forgotten, G. and Felicity!"
Arthur heard himself say, "By the way, what ever happened to Felicity?" Merlin listened quietly thinking, 'Had Arthur also liked this Felicity?'
The whole table was laughing as Gawaine grinned sheepishly and said offhandedly, "Five maybe six! And as you seem so interested, Arthur, Felicity for your information is now with a KLM pilot."
"As you seem to be having all the luck, it's your turn to buy the next round, Gawaine," said Lance.
Gawaine said as he got up going to the bar with their orders, "My mother says that I am too young to get married and settle down and as I know that practice makes perfect, I…" Merlin threw an empty pack of crisps at him and Leon dropped his arm on his shoulder, laughed and squeezed it.
Arthur didn't miss a thing but had been surprised to hear Merlin also ordering a whiskey with the others.