The guy in the expensive looking suit was not Valiant's usual kind of late night customer. One of the prostitutes lingering over a coffee eyed the blond man in speculation but he hardly seemed to notice her other than offering a polite 'good evening'.
Eira had shrugged and gone back to her coffee and the man had ordered four sausage sandwiches. Valiant had thrown the order together and when the man had paid he had eyed the full wallet enviously. It seemed the man had a desire to get himself mugged.
The man didn't seem perturbed by Valiant's staring, but judging by the way he moved the blond man could probably handle himself. Valiant knew when he could try and take advantage of someone, and he didn't think this was one of those moments. Instead he watched the man walk out, and then Valiant dismissed him for the television talking away in the corner. Eira's eyes continued to watch the blond man, wondering if it was worthwhile following him.
She watched with curiosity as he paused outside, unwrapping the sandwiches to separate the sausages from the bread. He put the sausages back in the paper bag and gathering the bread up in a napkin, almost put it into the bin. Then the man seemed to think better of it and handed the wrapped up food to a passing tramp. She watched the tramp recoil slightly, eyeing the bread with suspicion, but in the end he took it, pulling a crust off and stuffing it into his mouth as he walked on his way. The blond man headed in the other direction and Eira, for a few moments, wondered what the hell that had all been about. Then it disappeared from her mind as Sefa stuck her head through the door and told her that the traffic appeared to be increasing. Eira left her now lukewarm coffee and went back to her night's work.
Arthur hadn't been entirely oblivious to the undercurrent in the cafe. The man behind the counter looked ready to slit his throat for a few quid, and the woman had eyed him in the same way his father probably looked at business deals. Neither he felt concerned about, his years in the army had taken the edge of his fear, and he knew he could protect himself. However, he had something more important to deal with. Probably only important to him, but he headed back down the alleyway, pausing briefly to check on his car parked down the road. It looked intact, it looked innocuous and people probably expected him to drive something more impressive. He did, when he needed it, and that vehicle was his pride and joy, one of them anyway. His work car looked less than impressive, it didn't need to do anything more than get him to work, meetings and other things like that.
As he entered the alley Arthur walked slowly hoping the object of his mission hadn't taken upon itself to move.
Creeping down the alleyway Arthur listened carefully, heading towards the large bin pushed against one wall, left at an awkward angle, leaving a small gap on one side. Crouching down he peered into the gloom, as he did so he heard a rustle, then a low growl.
"Still there," he said gently. He fished out the wrapped up sausages and caught a flash of light reflected from a pair of eyes and the dog's muzzle lifted it's nostrils flaring as the smell of the meat reached it. Arthur winced as he broke a piece off, the hot meat inside burnt his fingertips and he tossed the small piece into the gloom. He watched the muzzle drop, snatching up the morsel, and the muzzle lifted, the dog stretched forward towards him, sniffing intently. The dog didn't step out from it's hiding place, clearly uncertain of him. Arthur threw another chunk of meat, letting it fall a little short of target. The dog darted swiftly to retrieve it, but then staggered back to it's place of safety. Arthur winced as he watched the dog's back-end slump, almost pitching the animal sideways. It ducked back into the space behind the bin, it's eyes fixed on him, both wary and hopeful. Arthur broke the remainder of the first sausage into two and threw the pieces in quick succession letting the dog guzzle them.
He waited until the dog ate the last piece and started to break up the next sausage, not paying direction attention to the animal, but out of the corner of his eye he felt very aware of the dog inclining forward, staying low as it crawled out of it's hiding place.
The animal hesitated as Arthur looked up. He offered another piece, letting it fall in front of the dog's nose. As that one was gobbled up Arthur threw another, then another, using up the rest of the second sausage doing so. Possibly without realising it had done so the animal had inched forward wanting more, forgetting his fear as the food kept coming.
As Arthur started the third sausage the dog jerked back as someone else staggered into the alley. Arthur inwardly cursed, turning to glare at the shabby man. Slowly he stood up, squaring his shoulders a little.
"This is my place!" the man slurred.
"I won't be long, I just want to get the dog," Arthur said.
"He ain't yours."
"Is he yours?"
"Little fucker needs a good kicking," the man spat savagely, and Arthur got the feeling the animal had probably received one or two in it's time.
"No, it does not," Arthur told him sternly and steadily. The man swayed on his feet, eyeing Arthur with unfocused but angry eyes.
"You're one of those tossers who think animals are better than people."
"Times like these," Arthur snapped back. "I'm amazed people wonder why."
He watched the tramp's eyes gleam as he pulled out his wallet and offered the man a five pound note, which was more that he deserved, Arthur thought to himself. The tramp inched forward, looking like the dog when offered the sausage.
"Go and get something to eat," Arthur informed him as the man snatched the note. "Stay away for ten minutes."
"Is that it?" the tramp asked as he eyed the note.
"If you didn't threaten people," and dogs, Arthur thought to himself. "You might get more. Now go away."
The tramp looked startled at the tone of the last three words, but he got the hint, shuffling out of the alleyway. Arthur huffed, turning back to his task, sighing as he realised the exchange had caused the dog to shuffle back into it's hiding space. However, as Arthur crouched down, the little dog crawled forward, it's eyes darted to the alley opening as a group of people wandered past, and it hesitated for a second. Arthur carried on breaking up the sausages and as the sounds faded the dog inched forward. Arthur threw a couple more snippets and then as he tossed the third, he darted forward with lightening reflexes and grabbed the dog's scruff. It gave a startled yelp and turned it's head to try and bite his arm, and he heard a rip as the dog's teeth snagged his sleeve.
He pulled the dog out, putting it onto his lap, keeping one hand on the scruff as he patted the animal down, wincing as he realised how much it's ribs pressed out. Eventually the little beast gave up, too exhausted to fight him. It lay over his thighs whimpering in distress.
"It's all right, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shock you."
After he assured himself the animal had no serious injuries he offered another morsel of food. For a moment the dog didn't take it, until it's hunger got the better of it. Arthur had a few chunks left but he decided to hold off until he had the animal in the car. He risked letting go to shrug his jacket off and he wrapped the shivering dog up. He felt the animal wriggle as he picked it up but the dog had no room to manoeuvre.
"It's okay," Arthur reassured it. "You'll be all right."
As he carried the dog away it settled in his arms, both the food and the residual warmth of Arthur's jacket gave some comfort. Plus the dog was too exhausted to fight, it rested it's head on Arthur's arm, giving a little sigh. Arthur patted the dog's flank.
"Good boy, you'll be fine."
He was greeted by a few curious looks as he left the alley wearing only his shirt in the cool weather and with the little dog wrapped up in his jacket which would probably now be ruined, not that Arthur cared. He made it to his car, and fumbled for his keys, propping the dog against his chest as he rummaged in his trouser pocket. As soon as he found them he pressed the button to unlock the door.
As he got it open he went to gently deposit the dog on the front seat. He had to hope that once settled the animal would stay still. His other car was far better for this. With his work car he would just have to make do. As he tried to put it down the dog wriggled, pushing against him determined to stay close.
"Come on little one, I'm not going to leave you."
The dog gave another whimper as Arthur released it and to compensate Arthur fed the animal another couple of pieces of sausage. He had one sliver left, which he'd give the dog once they were both in the car. Arthur shut the passenger door and jogged round to the driver's door, clambering in quickly. The dog watched him anxiously, struggling to shift round, kicking his legs to get clear of the jacket he was wrapped in. Arthur reached out and petted the dog's head.
"Stay there, stay."
He watched the ears lift, and in the slightly better light, he decided the little black dog was a lurcher. The dog's ears shifted.
"Stay," Arthur repeated and the dog's ears flickered. Arthur thought that it recognised the word, it's memory triggered, perhaps, by the gentle handling and the food. He put a hand on the dog's head stroking gently.
"Stay."
The dog stilled, ears shifting back and forth, eyes fixed on Arthur. Very slowly the dog settled down. Arthur turned the key in the ignition and set the heater up to keep both of them warm. He offered the last bit of sausage and the dog lapped it off his hand.
"Good dog."
He watched the dog's ears lift again, and Arthur guessed it had been a long time since the little lurcher had heard those words.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
The little dog slept on the way home. Arthur pulled in and parked on his driveway. The house looked quiet, lights glowing in some rooms for the occupants waiting for Arthur to come home. Either Mithian, Elena or Elyan would have been in, so they had set everything up and ensured the household was fed and happy. Arthur got his house keys ready before he picked up the dog, feeling gratified as the dog scrabbled into his arms.
"Good dog."
Arthur carried the dog to the door and opened it, leaning back to give his arm scope to reach the keyhole. The lurcher didn't seem to mind the man-handling now. It seemed to have worked out that Arthur was a safe person to be with, providing food and warmth. The little dog seemed extremely trusting, so Arthur didn't think it had been that long out on the streets, probably just long enough to lose weight, and then he had fortuitously found it. Once Arthur had got himself through the door he leant back on it to close it, shutting the real world out. He felt the little dog move, lifting it's head and flaring it's nostrils as the scents in the house hit him.
At the sound of the door the scrabbling had already started as the household ran to meet him.
They all came storming from the lounge, Percival first, until Gwaine ran past, into Percival's back legs to send the hulking Alsatian sprawling. Leon and Lancelot, as usual, missed Gwaine's exuberance, trotting slowly towards Arthur, who waded through the paws and fur, carrying his burden to the kitchen.
All the dogs followed at his heels, and Arthur hesitated in the doorway. Part of his mind had been on feeding his new charge, the other, routine part, had thought of something else, and whichever of his dog minders had been in had forgotten to pull the blind. His instinct was to look at the dog run in the back garden; but there was no point. Cenred no longer prowled out there. Arthur had been avoiding looking at it for weeks, except at the odd moments when he forgot.
He felt the tears flood his eyes and he looked down. The four dogs bustled around his legs, as they did at these moments, as if they knew what he was thinking and wanted to distract him. Gwaine scrabbled up to try and see what he had in his arms. The dog in question stirred restlessly, nervous of the other animals.
"It's all right," Arthur assured the little dog. He went to the far side of the kitchen, where the bowls were set up and he gently put the dog down, unwrapping the jacket. The little dog hunched up, ears dropping, tail pressed down between it's legs. The other dogs clustered round, sniffing and the lurcher whined as Gwaine inched closer.
"Oi, out!" Arthur ordered him. Gwaine looked somewhat surprised but he trotted back towards the others. "Sit!"
All the dogs did as they were told, still sniffing the air, and watching curiously as Arthur looked the little dog over establishing it was male, and also malnourished. There were a few bald patches on it's body and it's bones pressed out.
"Let's get you some food, then a bath. Out, you lot!" he ordered the others, pushing them out into the hallway and locking the gate to keep them out of the kitchen. They clustered around curiously and Arthur handed out some treats to keep them occupied. The little lurcher trotted across the kitchen, looking up at Arthur hopefully.
"You'll get something."
Arthur looked in the cupboard, hunting through the pouches of various food he had for something nourishing for the little dog. He followed Arthur, watching everything intently. as he put the bowl down the dog inched forward, assessing the contents.
Backing off Arthur let the little dog get on with it, and he went to the door, leaning over the gate to fuss a waiting Leon, running his hand over the setter's long silky ears. Leon gave a rumble of contentment. Gwaine jumped up to join in, the Westie scrabbling up the gate to put his head under Arthur's hand. Percival and Lancelot pushed in around them and Arthur moved his hands from dog to dog petting them all.
"Sorry boys, didn't mean to shout at you."
As they fussed around him Arthur turned to watch the little dog. He had almost eaten everything Arthur had given him, and his tail wagged gently as Arthur left the cluster of dogs by the door and went over to the lurcher and crouched down to pet his head. The tail wagging increased, almost knocking the animal over.
"Come on, let's get you cleaned up."
Arthur picked the dog up again and carried it out of the kitchen and upstairs. The others followed behind him as Arthur went into the house's second bedroom which had an en-suite like his own. However, much to his family's disapproval, most especially his father's, it had been set up exclusively for the dogs. The room had beds, rugs and toys scattered round it, and the bathroom shelves were filled with dog shampoos, flea treatments, worming tables and anything else a dog might at some point need.
"What if you have clients staying?" Uther had snapped at him, on seeing the set up of the house.
"I'll put them up in a hotel," Arthur replied. He wouldn't have let a client stay with him even if he didn't have a house full of dogs. Still, even after being told that Uther didn't approve, not of Arthur having the dogs, of how he treated them, how he kept picking up others when he found them. Arthur put the lurcher down and reached for the taps.
The moment the water started to run Percival made himself scarce, not wanting to risk getting involved in a bath. Gwaine and Lancelot eased forward, sniffing at the newcomer. The lurcher dropped his ears, giving a feeble snarl in warning.
Arthur petted Lancelot while pushing him back, away from the nervous dog. Gwaine jumped back at he was snapped at.
"Stop it," Arthur told him and the lurcher whined as Arthur rubbed the top of his head.
Once he was happy with the water he deposited the little dog in it, cupping handfuls of water to drizzle over him. The dog whined and shifted about, uncertain if the development was good or not.
Arthur dampened the dog down and put a blob of shampoo onto his hand. Glancing behind him he realised Leon and Lancelot had retreated and curled up together on one of the large beds. A scrabbling sound then a yelp made him turn in time to see Gwaine gaining purchase as he leapt up and struggled over the edge of the bath, somersaulting over as he dropped into the water. He rolled to right himself and gave a shake, peering up from under his now damp hair. Arthur screwed his eyes up as water flew everywhere.
"For God's sake! You only want a bath so I'll use the hairdryer on you."
Gwaine panted in excitement and splashed about in the water. The lurcher cringed away, Arthur took a firm hold, rubbing the shampoo in, and letting Gwaine, playing at the other end, get on with it. The only thing was, Gwaine kept easing over to try and get Arthur to scrub him. In the end he relented, and Gwaine nearly drowned himself as he rolled over to get Arthur to rub his belly.
"Idiot!" Arthur informed him, reaching down to scratch the relevant area. Gwaine wriggled, barking in delight. In the end he managed to wangle his way up to the other end of the bath to the new addition, and he sniffed at him, tail wagging eagerly. The little dog inched away, but seemed to realise that Gwaine had no intention of acting maliciously. Gwaine had a naturally friendly nature, the only dog in the house he had never taken to had been Cenred. And Cenred had not been a friendly animal anyway.
Now he was trying to encourage the lurcher to play with him, Arthur dropped a well chewed rubber toy into the water and Gwaine dived after it, growling and yapping happily as he played, splashing water everywhere as he frolicked. The lurcher stayed as clear as he could from the other dog, and Gwaine seemed to realise that he was better off just having fun on his own, except the times when he tried to get Arthur to play with him.
"You are a menace," he informed the dog, not that Gwaine gave much care to the opinion, he just wagged his tail and jumped about excitedly when Arthur started fiddling with the shower attachment to hose them off. The lurcher took it, but with his ears and tail down Arthur guessed he wasn't too happy, Gwaine, however, eagerly put himself under the spray, moving about to let Arthur get to various parts of his body.
He let the water run out, reminding himself he needed to clean the bathroom, especially after Gwaine had been let loose in it. That could wait until the morning, he had some free time before his conference call, so he could do it then. Instead he got both dogs out of the bath and he wrapped the lurcher in a fluffy towel and let him curl up in peace while Gwaine got a dose of the hairdryer.
During that time, while Gwaine indulged himself, Percival slunk back in, peering around the door warily to assess the situation before realising that Arthur was not about to try and bath him, and he trotted in, sniffing at Gwaine before moving on to look down at the damp lurcher, wrapped up in the towel. Percival assessed the cowering dog and then after a slight sniff backed off and lay down.
"Enough you," Arthur said to Gwaine deciding he was dry. Gwaine grumbled but Arthur was worn out, and it was nearly four in the morning. "No more, it's bedtime."
Gwaine grumbled to trotted off to snuggle up next to Percival. Arthur gave the lurcher another dry off and then decided, he couldn't leave the timid looking dog alone in this room, and he never minded when the rest of them followed him. He picked up the lurcher.
"Come on, then."
Gwaine was up in an instinct. Percival rolled to his feet a second later. Leon and Lancelot had to untangle themselves and ran behind as they all followed Arthur to his room.
For the sake of his own bedding the duvet was covered by a huge woollen throw that had been cheap, was easy to clean and could be covered in dog hair since Arthur didn't care about it. Arthur took the little dog with him to the bathroom as he changed and brushed his teeth.
"You're not like the others, really, since I sort of named them after knights. I don't think I can run that theme with you."
He hadn't with Cenred either, who was named after an obscure king that Arthur found on his history searches.
"You're not exactly giving up either, are you?" Arthur said to the dog now crouched by his feet, tail wagging gently. He sloshed his mouth with mouthwash and moved back, letting the little dog follow and he picked it up to put it on the bed. Arthur then had a battle with a sprawled out Percival for possession of the bed. Arthur let the lurcher cuddle up against his chest and since Gwaine couldn't take that prime spot he snuggled himself into Arthur's navel. Leon sprawled at the end of the bed, Percival lay at Arthur's back and Lancelot slotted between Gwaine and Leon. If his father walked in, Arthur mused, he'd hit the roof, and Arthur, didn't care. Instead he gently stroked the new addition.
"You're not very knightly, but you're strong enough to survive. I think you're a Merlin."
Merlin seemed to agree as he moved his muzzle to lick Arthur's chin, before settling down to sleep in the warm, nice smelling place.
