Arthur waited until he saw the consultant come out to speak to him "I'm sorry Mr Pendragon, we couldn't wait and Merlin was insistent we not let anyone know. But the good news I have removed the abscess and cleaned the area, I can't guarantee it but I hope we have cured the problem without it causing further damage, luckily we got to it quickly."
Arthur let out a sign of relief. "He is very down lately, is there anything I can do?"
"Only what you are, support him. We have offered help but he has declined, although he has agreed to take anti-depressants, he has a strong character, I believe once we can get him up on his feet he will improve, it was going through things with the police that started his depression, not surprising. That little girl will help him no end." The doctor paused "I probably shouldn't say this but I am. I have been asked to provide a report on Merlin's prognosis and ability to care for Freya long term. I see no reason why he shouldn't be able to do so, even if he does have residue mobility problems."
Arthur felt his spirits lift. "May I speak off the record?" the consultant asked
"Off course, anything you say will remain with me only" Arthur told him.
"Ask your lawyer to get a report from the paediatric unit" he paused "I can't say more" the consultant looked slightly embarrassed.
Arthur however looked interested "Thank you I shall." He didn't ask more but he intended to get Ms Annis on it as soon as he could. "May I see Merlin please"
"Of course come on through, he is still asleep but you can sit with him"
As soon as she had seen her father Morgana went on to the next stage of her brother's request. After trying, and failing, to contact Mordred herself she left work and headed to Freya's school and waited. Just before the children came out Mordred and Kara pulled up in their car. They didn't see Morgana until she leaned in the open window "You two are hard to track down"
Kara glared at her but Mordred immediately looked worried "What do you want is Merlin ok?"
"There's been some sort of problem and they are taking him to theatre again today. Arthur tried to get hold of both of you but he is tied up so I offered to wait. We knew you would be here to pick Freya up. Now can I take her to see Merlin? He's out of theatre and it will do him good to see her. I promise to bring her back as soon as she has seen her papa" Morgana clearly had no intention of taking no for an answer and looked straight[SS1] at Mordred daring him to say no.
But it was Kara who answered "No I'm sorry we have been at a meeting all afternoon and are taking Freya and going for a walk and something to eat. I am sorry to hear about Merlin but she will see him tomorrow as planned. We have things to talk about tonight"
Morgana raised her eyebrows and looked straight in Kara's eyes "I can feed her, you can't be as unfeeling as to deny a child and her guardian a small amount of time together surely? If he has been in theatre he will be sleepy so it won't be for long. He might not be up to much tomorrow"
"You can't just demand her whenever you want, it's not convenient" Kara glared back.
Mordred spoke up "Kara perhaps we ought to let her go. If Merlin has had surgery he wouldn't feel up to visitors tomorrow so she will miss her normal visit." His wife glared at him, he was clearly going to get a mouthful later.
Morgana pressed her advantage. "Thank you Mordred, I know YOUR brother is scared and it would do him so much good to see Kara. I will personally bring her back by eight. I will also help her with her homework if she has any"
"Can you ask Arthur to ring me and let me know what has happened? I will leave my phone on" Mordred asked.
Morgana agreed and as she finished speaking they heard the school bell and the children were soon running out of school. Freya was one of the last out. When she saw Morgana her face first lit up then she looked worried. "Is Papa alright?"
Mordred spoke first "He is Freya, Morgana has come to take you to go and see him. Mind you are a good girl? And we will see you later."
Freya gave her uncle a kiss and even smiled at Kara the other side of the car "Thank you uncle Mordred and Aunty Kara" with that she grabbed Morgana's hand.
Mordred spoke to Morgana once more as she turned to walk away "Can you tell Merlin I will ring later?"
"I will" then turning to Freya she asked "do you have any homework?"
"Not tonight I did it yesterday"
"Right then leave your bag with your uncle and let's get going"
As they walked to Morgana's car Freya waved back but quietly said "I don't think Kara was very happy"
"Nor do I Freya, now before we see your papa what do you want for tea?"
"Can we go to see Papa first I can always have a sandwich from the shop" Freya pleaded
"No you are going to eat and eat properly or your Papa will be cross. Uncle Arthur will be as well. Now I know just the thing. As it was early not many of the places to eat were open so Morgana drove down a side street. "You can have one of your occasional treats" Morgana knew Merlin hated Freya having too much junk food but at least her option contained no milk.
"Oh Fish and chips!" Freya beamed. "Can I have salt and vinegar?"
Morgana laughed "Of course you can, you wait here in the car I won't be a minute"
While Freya sat listening to the radio there was a tap on the window Freya looked round and opened the window "Hello Uncle Gwaine. Aunty Morgana has gone to get me fish and chips, then we are going to visit Papa."
"Well Princess what a coincidence that's what I'm having." Gwaine was surprised to see Freya in Morgana's car and hoped that everything was alright.
Freya looked solemn "Papa has had another operation"
"Well I was going to see him tonight so do you think your Aunty will take me as well?" Gwaine was keen to spend some time with the little girl, he missed her as he used to see her at least once a week when she lived with Merlin. Just as he finished speaking Morgana returned
"Aunty Morgana can we take Uncle Gwaine with us after he's got his fish and chips pleeease"
"As long as he hurries up or ours will get cold" Morgana smiled
Gwaine was soon back with his food and Morgana drove up to a small park where she knew there was a picnic table and they were soon eating their food. Gwaine had Freya laughing at his stories so Morgana couldn't be upset with the man, she had been looking forward to her time with Freya but she guessed that the girl was not laughing much at the moment. One thing Gwaine could always be guaranteed to do was lighten the mood.
As soon as they had finished Freya went to the bin and got rid of the wrappers before they set of for the hospital. Morgana took the chance to talk to Gwaine "Something's gone wrong and Merlin has been back to surgery this morning for an abscess his back"
"Shit that doesn't sound good, I'll come but if they won't let me in don't worry. Just how much bad luck is Merl going to get?"
"I don't know Gwaine, but Merlin's been getting low I hope this doesn't set him back to far" at that Freya ran back so they stopped talking not wanting to worry her.
Arthur had been sitting with Merlin since theatre but as yet Merlin had not woken, the nurses said he had briefly when in recovery, but had then gone back to sleep. When Freya arrived she immediately looked at Arthur "Is Papa alright?"
"He's sleeping Freya, come and sit by him and talk to him if you want to, it won't matter if he wakes I know he will be glad to see you." Freya sat and held onto Merlin's hand, and told him about her day. When he still hadn't opened his eyes she gave him a kiss on the cheek "Wake up papa, you have lots of visitors Uncle Arthur is here and so is Aunty Morgana and Uncle Gwaine. Please wake up as I have to go soon"
Her plea must have got through because at long last Merlin opened his eyes a little bit and he looked at Freya. He gently squeezed her hand and very quietly said "Hello Poppet"
"Oh your awake Papa, are you feeling ok, does it hurt?" Freya was clearly concerned
Merlin shook his head "M fine m tired"
"Ok Papa you rest, Aunty Morgana is taking me home but I will see you again soon." Merlin gave her another squeeze and closed his eyes. Morgana took Freya back to her Aunty and uncle leaving Arthur and Gwaine by the bedside. Gwaine said he would get a taxi back. Merlin remained asleep for the rest of visiting. Gwaine supported Arthur who was clearly worried.
"He's depressed Gwaine but won't talk to anyone, I hate seeing him so low" Arthur admitted to his friend. "He got worse after he had seen the police. I think it brought it all back to him"
"Not surprising really" Gwaine remarked "But Merlin is a tough cookie, once he can get up he will soon improve you wait. Remember what he was like when his mum and oldest brother died?"
Arthur nodded "Freya got him through that, but he's scared he's going to lose her."
"It would be a hard person to do that to then both, Freya clearly wants to be back with Merlin, doesn't her word have some sway" Gwaine asked
"Yes it does but if he is a cripple after this he says he doesn't want her to have to help him, he says she needs to have a childhood without that. Nothing I can say will change that" Arthur said frustratedly. "I've told him we can get any help he needs"
"Give him time Arthur, once he's over this set back he'll feel differently. We can all help, don't forget we are his friends to."
Arthur looked at Gwaine and not for the first time since all this had happened realised that there was a greater depth to the man than he had always assumed. He had always like Gwaine but had also thought of him as a bit of a carefree man that nothing worried, but his help and support had been invaluable. "Thanks Gwaine. Well I'd better get home Uther and Helen are staying. The police wanted to see him. Do you want me to drop you off?"
"Nay, I'll stay here a bit then get a taxi. I'll catch up soon." Gwaine watched his friend leave and settled down by Merlin. Although Merlin was asleep Gwaine spoke to him "Well mate you have a good one there. He will make sure you keep Freya. Don't let this get you down mate, don't let um win"