After talking to Hunith Arthur went to the office and then went back to the hotel to wait for Merlin to return. Arthur was surprised just how helpful Hunith had been, he had expected her to be annoyed by the deal he'd done with Merlin, but instead she not only seemed to accept it, but be willing to help him. Hunith had told him she wanted her boy to be happy, and felt that he needs to learn to cope with relationships better and that the deal might help him. If Merlin was to live with Arthur for five years he might just learn to open himself up again to people. Once she explained her feelings Arthur understood and appreciated her support. He would need it if this whole charade was to succeed.
Merlin walked through the door at ten thirty, looking exhausted. He went and had a shower straight away before sitting on the bed. Once he sat down he looked at Arthur. "Look Arthur, I'm sorry I was so ratty earlier but I was tired." Merlin said looking at the blonde "But I meant what I said about being a kept man, that wasn't in the deal."
Arthur sat across from Merlin "I thought it was, but let's not argue. I'm concerned you look knackered, are you working to many hours?
"I only get work when it's there, for instance at the moment I don't have anything for three days, unless someone goes sick. Then I only have one shift planned." Merlin explained "But its good work it lets me talk to people and get to know how the hospital works."
Arthur nodded his acceptance. "Look I've been thinking, I would like you to be free when I can get over, we need to keep our 'romance' going to make it realistic. You obviously want to be independent and do some work, so I have an idea." Arthur paused "What if you get a job that allows you to be free at short notice but still keeps you busy when I'm not about."
"Arthur, do you live in fairy land? There's a recession on I was damn lucky to get this job." Merlin told him. "I'm not qualified to do anything and so I'm against hundreds for every job, no one will pay me to turn up when I want, even in this job they expect me to accept anything that's offered. That's why I went in this afternoon even though I had just worked a twelve hour shift."
"What if we come to a compromise? I know someone who is looking for a person to work as a volunteer, now don't shout" he said looking at Merlin. "Hear me out… It's for a medical charity, if I pay you for the hours you work for them, it will be my donation to them, I give to charity all the time. They get a worker who will work his socks off; I know you're a hard worker. You get to work for a medical charity and you get free time when I'm over here." Arthur paused "And also it looks better if my fiancé isn't working in a low paid job. On top of that someone else gets your present job that really needs it."
"That was good until you sounded like a snobbish prat" Merlin put on a funny voice "better if my fiancé isn't working in a low paid job….did you hear yourself!" Merlin glared at Arthur "I am from a poor background not like you! I was a scholarship student don't forget"
"Merlin please think about it! It's at St Jude's Hospital; you would be helping on the wards, playing with the children while their parents get a break. You would be fantastic at it" Arthur pleaded. "They need all the help they can get. And as I said that way someone else can have your porter's job that really needs it."
"I can see why you're a good manager, you really know how to get to people don't you" Merlin said as he thought things through. "I suppose you're right, there were a lot of people after that job and because I've just started I only need to work my booked shifts and I can finish."
"Great, the other thing is I was hoping once your mother is well enough I was hoping you would agree to let her have her treatment finished in the UK. It's difficult with all this flying back and forth, I know I do travel here sometimes but it has increased significantly, also then your mother would have her uncle's support as well. I won't mention it to her unless you agree." Arthur said. "Then we can set a date for the wedding and allow both of us to settle down a bit."
"That you will need to ask her, I'm not answering for mum, if she doesn't agree I won't try to change her mind." Merlin told Arthur "Mum has her own ideas on these things."
"We can ask her tomorrow when we visit her. Now you get to sleep and we'll sort things out tomorrow." Arthur went to have a shower before turning in himself. He was glad that Hunith's plan had worked, and hoped that she would sound convincing in the morning when they discussed the future. He realised without her this whole thing might well have fallen apart at the seams already.
Hunith sounded suitably surprised when Merlin told his mother he was going to do voluntary work for a while, she also managed to be convincing when Merlin mentioned finishing her treatment in the UK. Merlin had no idea that Arthur had already asked her. Once they had finished the visit Merlin went to speak to the doctors who said that provided the airline agreed Hunith could go to the UK in three weeks to finish her treatment, as long as she continued to progress as well as she was.
Merlin then went and handed in his notice, saying he was leaving the country soon, he was told he needn't do his last booked shift. They then went to St Jude's and arranged for him to work as a volunteer, Merlin wouldn't be able to work on the children's ward as there wasn't time to get the necessary checks done for him to work with children, but they had a place in the hospital shop and it was arranged he would start in three days.
The two men then made sure they were seen out most evenings for the days that Arthur remained in the USA, as before Arthur was very effusive with the displays of affection when in public but reserved when they were alone. Merlin remained uneasy but gradually got use to Arthur's duel personality. Once Arthur left to go back to the UK Merlin started in the hospital shop and did a six hour stint every day, the arrangement with Arthur made him feel better about accepting the money.
Arthur didn't come back for three weeks by which time Hunith had continued to progress. Arthur spoke to a private hospital in London and arranged a first class flight to England for her; she would be accompanied by a nurse. The airline kindly waved the fee for the nurses return flight which made Merlin happier. Arthur had already started the process to get a fiancé visa for Merlin and paid the fee required as well as putting up the money Merlin had to have to stay. Once the visa was collected from the UK embassy they made plans for the move. It was then that Merlin started to get really nervous, he wasn't only giving up his freedom but also moving to another country, he was just glad his mother was coming, he wasn't sure he would have been able to leave her behind. Arthur also arranged for Hunith's belongings to be collected from storage and shipped to her uncle's house.
There was an ambulance waiting for Hunith as they landed and Merlin accompanied her to the hospital. Her room was lovely and the nurses seemed very kind, Hunith was soon settled in and pleased to see her uncle who arrived about an hour after she had. He didn't stop long, but promised to visit daily. Once Merlin was happy his mother was settled he made his way to Arthur's London house to find Morgana and Leon there to say hello. Leon immediately asked Arthur if they had a date picked out for the wedding.
"I don't want to rush you but you need to get it in before the six month date and it will take a bit of arranging." Leon was very businesslike "I have also drafted the pre nuptial agreement that needs to be agreed by you both."
"Can't we just have a small registry office wedding" Merlin pleaded.
"Merlin! Don't be silly, my brother can't be seen to have a hole in the wall affair. He's a prominent member of the business community, not to mention that dratted will." Morgana told him "I know I arranged your engagement party at short notice but a wedding is all together a different thing."
"We need to talk to the hospital, Merlin wants his mother there and I'm not sure she will forgive us if she is still in hospital." Arthur said. "Once we've done that we will settle a date. As for the pre nup bring it to the office and I'll look at it."
"Merlin will need to agree it as well" Leon insisted.
"I will bring a copy back for him to read." Arthur insisted. "Now why don't you clear off and let us get over our jet lag, we can get together tomorrow evening for a meal."
"OK come to us" Morgana said as she got up. Leon followed. As Arthur followed then to the door Morgana looked at her brother. "Why don't end this farce? I know you fancy him, tell him! You'd be great together"
Arthur looked behind them sharply making sure Merlin wasn't in earshot. "Shut up, it'd a business deal no more than that."
"Yeh, keep kidding yourself, why don't you." she scoffed. "You're fooling no one brother dear."
Once his sister and her husband had left Arthur made the excuse he needed to turn in as he had work in the morning and went to his room. He heard Merlin close his bedroom door soon afterwards. Arthur knew he was in trouble; he so wanted to speak to Merlin but was too aware of the risks. No he would wait until Hunith was well and needed on further treatment then perhaps he would talk to Merlin. By then they would be married and also know each other better, he might also be over his infatuation with Merlin by then. At least for now it seemed his feelings were transparent to everyone but Merlin so he didn't have to pretend to be in love.
Hunith flourished now she was near all her family, so Arthur went ahead and set a wedding date for two months time. Morgana then went into full planning mode. She booked Hampton Court Palace for the wedding and the reception after gaining approval from Arthur. The wedding was going to be a small affair, maximum of fifty at The Little Banqueting Hall and the reception Great Hall for the Reception where they could have up to four hundred. Merlin was told once it was booked, as Arthur was well aware of the objections he would have.
"Merlin your mother will love it! And you will only agree to a registry office so there no point in involving you. Now who would you like to invite? Any childhood friends perhaps? Or anyone from Harvard?" Arthur asked.
"No one just Mum and Uncle Gaius, I have no close friends at school I was the weird swot and at Harvard I was the scholarship bum." Merlin replied shortly.
"How about your mother, would she like to invite anyone?"
"Ask her not me" Merlin replied.
In the end there would be seven people from Merlin's side, he had an uncle and Aunt he hadn't seen since his father died and their two adult children and Hunith had a sister and her husband that hadn't kept in touch with the family. Hunith decided to invite them so Merlin wasn't totally without representation. To her amazement they all agreed to attend, despite having to come to the UK.
Arthur asked Morgana to keep his list down to the minimum but it still crept up far higher than he really wanted. Morgana pointed out that Arthur didn't want it to appear he was ashamed of his marriage and there were people he had to invite as well as his friends. Both men were dragged to fittings for suits which Merlin found tedious, he was getting more and more involved in the planning as he wasn't allowed to work until after the wedding. He was soon fed up with discussions on cakes and flowers, especially as Morgana ended up getting her own way on everything. They were both to have best men Arthur had asked Leon and Merlin had asked his Great Uncle Gaius, who was delighted. Arthur had wedding rings made to his design.
The pre nuptial agreement was draw up and signed by both men and they continued to be seen around London, going out at least three times a week. Gradually the fuss over the will died down as most people thought the men were a genuine love match. Hunith was discharged from hospital two weeks before the wedding and was immediately taken out by Morgana to get her outfit. The two women quickly became good friends much to Merlin's amazement. With them ganging up against him he stood no chance and in the end left any remaining decisions on the wedding in their hands.
Arthur's friends decided to split themselves for the stag nights so both men would have people with them they drew lots and Leon, Percy and Elyan went with Arthur and Lance and Gwaine went with Merlin. Lance was under strict instructions from Arthur not to let Gwaine get carried away and to keep a close eye on Merlin, he needn't have worried as Merlin had no intention of drinking anymore than one drink. He knew he was a light weight and was worried he would say something he shouldn't. He was also staying at his Uncle Gaius's for his last night.
Arthur was also determined not to get drunk and Leon was there to make sure he didn't. He did drink enough to tell everyone how much he loved Merlin, but that wasn't a bad thing. As it convinced his friends he was doing the right thing. Gwaine did his best to lead Merlin astray but got nowhere and Merlin was back at his uncles well before closing. Lance and Gwaine then went and found Arthurs Stag do which went on until midnight before Leon called a halt.
The morning of the wedding was fraught for both men but in the end they both arrived at the venue at the correct time. Each arrived on a separate barge up the Thames. Merlin accompanied by this mother and Great Uncle, Arthur with his sister and Leon. They both looked very handsome in their morning suits, both with black jackets and grey waistcoats. Arthur had a red tie and Merlin a tie the same colour blue as his eyes. Hunith's outfit was the same colour as Merlin tie and Merlin's heart swelled with pride when he saw her. He felt a huge weight of guilt in deceiving her but it was outweighed but her joy at seeing him get married and the fact that she and Arthur got on so well.
Neither men remembered the ceremony they had walked up the aisle together and were equally as nervous. As the registrar pronounced them married Arthur and Merlin kissed before going to sign the register then they turned to walk together to the Great Hall for the reception and dance afterwards.
The whole day was a blur to Merlin; he sat next to Arthur and listened to the speeches in a state of shock. This wasn't how Merlin had ever envisaged his marriage to be. He had married a man who didn't love him, in a country he didn't belong in and in surroundings that were far grander than anything he had been in before. All this and no wedding night to look forward to and a honeymoon that would, at the very least, be awkward. After the meal they returned to a room to change before the reception in the evening. That was going to be even harder for Merlin to cope with. He hardly knew anyone and would be expected to show Arthur the sort of attention newlyweds did to each other.
The first dance was torturous for Merlin; Arthur held him as close as he could and planted small kisses on his neck and lips throughout the dance and throughout the evening hardly left his side. There were so many displays of affection that it was breaking Merlin's heart. He returned Arthur kisses in a show of affection knowing it was expected by now he knew he was in love with Arthur, but it was a one sided love. Arthur was as far as he was concerned the best actor going, he had everyone convinced he was desperately in love with Merlin. Yet Merlin knew he had to hide his feelings and never let Arthur know, it would be too heartbreaking to see the rejection in Arthur's eyes and face the daily humiliation for the next five years. If there was nothing else he did he had to keep Arthur from ever finding out. As the dance he put his arms round the blonde savouring the moment with a sweet bitter feeling. How he wanted the other man to be his.
The minute the register pronounced them married Arthur looked at the gorgeous man at his side and wished this marriage was for real. For the next few hours he would act for his part like it was and savour every moment. As he swore to love, honour and care for Merlin, he meant every word. Holding Merlin close during the first dance he drew in the scent that was Merlin and tried to hold in his memory. He took every opportunity to hold and kiss Merlin he could. When Merlin returned his kisses he accepted them like a man at an oasis in the desert and drank them up. He knew what would be worse was the night; they had a room at the Dorchester, a present from his Uncle Agravaine of all people! How could he share a bed with Merlin and not let him know how he really felt. Yet he would, it wouldn't be fair on Merlin otherwise. Merlin after all had been forced into this situation by circumstances and Arthur loved him too much to embarrass the other man, or heaven forbid make him feel he had to offer him sex as well. He knew from speaking to Hunith that Merlin was self sacrificing to a fault and might well feel obliged to offer 'benefits', that Merlin would hate being kept by Arthur for five years. No he would hold Merlin when he could, but afterwards, accept when they went out, he would be the perfect gentleman and not embarrass Merlin. He would keep everything on a professional level so they could both live together.