Merlin didn't answer but looked at Will who in turned asked "Would you like Arthur to come in as well? They won't stay long and no one will touch you"

Merlin still didn't speak, but nor did he indicate in any way that he objected, so Will walked to the door and called for Arthur "Arthur you can come in with Mr Pendragon, but no getting to near" he warned.

Arthur came in followed by his father, Uther looked with interest at the clearly frightened and confused boy on the bed. And like Gwaine his heart went out to him. Arthur smiled at Merlin "Alright Ramesh, no one will hurt you I promise, this is my father Uther Pendragon, and you used to call him Uncle Uther"

Uther chuckled "I think it was more like Uncle Uffa, hello Ramesh"

Merlin looked from Will to Gwaine then to Arthur and back to Uther. He then looked at the photo's. He grasped the dragon even closer. "It that Killi?" Arthur asked.

"He recognised it as soon as I gave it to him, he even said Killi" Gwaine said. "He can remember Killi but not me"

"I think Gwaine you have changed somewhat over the years. Merlin was always very attached to the dragon." His Uncle told him. That is something at least, maybe they would be able to convince the boy to go back to England with them.

Arthur moved slowly closer to Merlin "Don't look so frightened Ramesh, no one is going to do anything"

Will decided enough was enough "Look I'm sorry but I think Ramesh has had enough for now, he needs to eat and then rest. You can see him later if he wants."

Gwaine looked distraught "Can I stay please" he pleaded.

Will looked at Ramesh "Do you want Gwaine to stay?" Merlin shook his head vigorously his lips sealed. "Can anyone stay? Will added

Merlin looked at the doctor and then looked at Arthur and pointed. "You want Arthur to stay?" Merlin nodded. "There you have it" Will said firmly "Please let Ramesh have time and rest"

Gwaine stood up but left all the photos behind Uther put his arm round Gwaine's shoulder's and said "It will take time Gwaine. He's known Arthur for a while that's all"

"Goodnight brother" Gwaine said as he went out with Uther, his heart heavy with disappointment. He hadn't even been able to hold the brother he had come so far to be reunited with. It was a crushing blow to him. Once they were back in the office Gwaine sat down as if poleaxed.

"That was a good idea to bring the dragon" Uther told his foster son. "It might stir memories for him."

Iseldir looked with sympathy at the pair. "Look I have to get back out, you are welcome to stay here for a while although I doubt that Ramesh will see you again today. I'd suggest you look around but that's up to you. If either of you want to come with me you are welcome."

Gwaine looked up "I'll stay here, I just want to be close, just in case"

"I'll stay with Gwaine but thank you, I may take you up on your offer another day. You have been very kind." Uther told the charity worker.

"I have booked you both into the nearest decent hotel, sorry but we don't have room here. It might not be up to your normal standard but it is close and clean. I know the owners" Iseldir told them "I will take you there when I get back or Will can order you a taxi"

Uther nodded but Gwaine was staring at the wall. Clearly deep in thought. Later Lance and Leon came to see their friend, they had been surprised to hear from Iseldir that they were in India. He hadn't told them why, leaving that to the family.

"Gwaine, Mr Pendragon it's good to see you, we weren't expecting that" Leon said as he walked into the office.

Lance took one look at Gwaine and asked "Is everything alright, no problems at home I hope"

Uther turned to the two young men "No we have had a surprise, Arthur discovered that the young lad Ramesh is in fact Merlin!"

Both young men were shocked "You have to be joking! What great news" Leon said. At that Gwaine looked at his friends

"He doesn't remember us! He thinks we're lying and is scared and won't let us near him" Gwaine sounded broken and looked worse than his friends had ever seen him.

Lance looked at Leon before saying "Give him time, where is Arthur?"

Uther gave a smile "With Merlin, by the way for now we are calling him Ramesh so not to upset him"

"So what happens now" Leon asked concern clear in his voice

"We don't know, we clearly can't force him to come with us, but at the same time it isn't an option that he goes back to the streets" Uther said.

"What if he never remembers us?" Gwaine said in anguish. "I won't lose him again"

At that Arthur walked in "He's asleep, he's exhausted what with the infection and all" Arthur put his arm around Gwaine "He'll come round I'm sure he will, after all he recognised Killi"

Will followed Arthur in "He's a poorly lad, just give him time the stress won't be good for him"

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful or rude but is there any way we can get him in hospital under a paediatrician. Surely he would be better off" Uther said "Money is no problem"

Will gave a rueful grin "Maybe not but Ramesh won't have that. You have to remember he is from the streets where there is a great deal of mistrust for the government bodies. Fear of having a kidney removed while seeking help is a common fear and not unjustified. Also hospital security often refuse admission to street children even if they do turn up. I realise you would see he had all the help he needed but he won't accept it. Do you know how long it took us to get the kids to let us help them? Some of the police here beat and abuse the kids, even taking money from them by extortion. I'm sorry but you have no idea of the problems children like Ramesh face daily."

"But he needs help! Whatever he has been through he is a child" Uther protested.

"Yes he is, and we will do everything we can for him, but here he is classed as a nobody, less than that even, you have to face facts. If you push him you will lose him, and more than that he might not let even us treat him. Ask Arthur what trouble we had getting him to stay here!"

"It's true Dad, I couldn't believe it, Merlin was hurt when a lorry mounted the pavement and hit the kids. The driver and the police were more interested in stopping anyone removing stuff from the lorry, and clearing the road than the injured kids. Merlin wouldn't come in even then, he worked with his injured leg. Iseldir had to agree that Merlin would work here for nothing to pay for his treatment, he is unbelievably proud and stubborn. If he could have walked he wouldn't have stayed. Even with Iseldir and Will who he knows well, he has very little trust"

Uther was trying hard to understand, but coming from a country like England he found it hard to comprehend. "Would you object if I got someone to look at Merlin?"

"No I wouldn't as long as Ramesh is happy, but be careful who you select, I won't have him driven away by thoughtless actions or comments" Will said. "I got someone in for another child and it was disastrous"

"Then I will fly someone over with my wife and Merlin's younger brother." Uther said. "I will sort that out now"

While Uther and Will were talking Gwaine was surrounded by his friends who were trying to support him. Arthur turned to Will "Now Ramesh is asleep can Gwaine just go in and see him?"

"I don't see any reason why not, I slipped him a sedative he will be deep asleep" Will said without a trace of embarrassment. Clearly he had Merlin's welfare at heart no matter how brusque he appeared.

Arthur took Gwaine through and the two young men sat at Merlin's bedside. Merlin's deformed arm was on top of the blanket and Gwaine had his first really good look at it. Even to him it was clear that Merlin's arm was bent at an unnatural angle that would make it difficult to do certain tasks. Whispering to Arthur he asked "Is his leg as bad?"

Arthur nodded "He walks twisted, his bad leg is several inches shorter than the good one. Merlin also walks on the side of his foot instead of the sole. It's no wonder his back hurts him"

Gwaine very carefully put his hand on his brothers, and left it there. He seemed to get some comfort from just being able to touch his brother. Merlin's good arm was clasping Killi, he clearly wasn't willing to let the toy go. Gwaine then spotted the locket round Merlin's neck. "To think without that we wouldn't have ever known" he paused "Remember what Dad always said about fate, that if something was meant to be, it would happen."

"Then believe it now, he will come round Gwaine I know it" Arthur told the man he considered his brother, almost his twin in fact.

They sat in silence just watching the younger boy sleep, it should have felt a creepy thing to do but it just felt right. Uther joined them for a while before taking them both off, all be it reluctantly, for something to eat and drink.

When they were all sat eating Uther told Gwaine. "I have asked a paediatrician to fly out from the UK to assess Merlin to see if he can be flown back. Then we will have to persuade him somehow. One things for sure I won't leave him here to die or go back to the streets. Your father would never forgive me"

"If he won't go back I will stay here with him" Gwaine told his foster father. I will pay for the doctor"

Uther didn't argue he knew Gwaine needed to take responsibility for his brother, it was the only way he could cope with what had happened.