Mithian had a long talk to Merlin then went to see Arthur and Morgana. "It is what I feared, the Prince has associated you with going way with problems for him. He will need lots of reassurance. Can you phone Merlin while you are away Sir?" Mithian asked Arthur.
I am going to try every day, it might not be possible because of the time difference. But I will do my best, I fact I intend to use Skype" Arthur told her "But what else can we do?"
"The rest will be put to the Princess and Gwaine, Prince Merlin will just need to be reassured. I understood that another friend from his past was going to be involved. I hesitate to put labels on Prince Merlin, as he has so many complex issues, but many of his anxieties are similar to AvPD, Avoidance Personality Disorder. But with as with PTSD the treatment is much the same. He just needs to feel safe and secure with whomever is around him"
Morgana looked up at this stage "Like Mordred Merlin knew Freya before, but I have been cautious about introducing them after what happened with Mordred" she admitted "But she is coming to see me tomorrow"
"Would you like me to see her with you? It might help to have an independent view" Mithian offered.
"Thank you that would be nice she is coming just after lunch" Morgana was relieved to have a second opinion.
Freya Lake was a very timid girl but she had a sweet nature and Morgana was immediately taken with her. But she wanted to be very sure they couldn't have another Mordred on their hands. Mordred had dented Merlin's already fragile self-confidence. After talking generalities Morgana decided to be candid
"Freya I have to be sure about you, that's one of the reasons why Mithian is here. I'm sure you have read the reports of Mordred Sarrum, he was given pretty much unrestricted access to the Prince, as we believed a friend was that Merlin needed. He betrayed that trust. Can I ask you to be honest, what are your reasons for wanting to befriend Merlin?"
Freya looked at the Princess, Morgana scared her and she felt tongue tied. Mithian gave Freya an encouraging look that allowed Freya to speak. "I can remember playing with the Prince when I was young, I have read the papers and heard some of what happened to him and I thought he might like a friend again. I felt sorry for him living like that, I know I can't believe all that is in the papers bit it is so sad. I wouldn't tell anyone about anything he told me. I'm not like that, I want to help, you see I am very shy as well and I know how hard it is to make friends"
Morgana smiled it was clear to her that Freya had given this a lot of thought, and she seemed to be genuine. "I want the King to speak to you as well, but I think you will be well suited to the Princes gentle nature." She turned to Mithian "What do you think?"
"I agree entirely, The Prince needs friends around him and it will do him good to have someone his own age. It is unfortunate that Mordred betrayed your trust but I think Freya is a totally different person altogether."
Freya blushed at the comments, which further endeared her to Morgana. "Come on Freya lets go and see the King" Morgan turned to Mithian "Will you be seeing the Prince again this week?"
"I will be back in a couple of days and of course Gwen will be seeing him. I have suggested that Elena also pop in once a week, she has really helped the Prince since his accident."
Morgana smiled "It's a good job Merlin has Gwaine or he would be totally surrounded with women while the King is away!"
Mithian nodded "Yes but that is maybe a good thing when you consider the past sixteen years. The Prince mostly feels safe with women."
Morgana took Freya along to her brother's office "Don't be nervous Freya, Arthur is nothing like his father, he is very easy to speak to."
Percy knocked on the door when he saw the Princess approaching and Arthur called for them to enter. He looked up from the desk and smiled before rising up and offering his hand. "Hello Freya it's been a look time since I saw you last."
Freya curtsied "I have been abroad Your Majesty, I went to stay with my uncle in Australia"
"Please call me Arthur"
Morgana looked at her brother "I have been talking to Freya with Mithian and we both think she would be a good friend for Merlin"
"That's good enough for me, Please take a seat Freya" Arthur waited until Freya and his sister had sat down. "You know we have had a few problems recently?"
Freya nodded
"I am sure you wouldn't do the same but just to make it clear, if you do become friends with my brother you would have unlimited access to him. That means you would get to know things that we don't want to go into the public domain. For a start there is a trail due. Not only that, but Merlin deserves privacy. Also he must never be taken out of the palaces without either the Princess's or my explicit permission and never without his protection officers."
"Oh I understand that Sir, I would never think of it" Freya said meekly
"Call me Arthur please, Merlin may also divulge things to you about his past experiences. We still don't know everything that happened to him, it is important that his therapist is told these things, we don't need to know but they do. You have met Mithian, his psychiatrist, he also as a lady called Gwen who is his therapist. They have been helping him adjust to life. One other thing Merlin's main protection officer is also a friend and has been granted a great deal of leeway in his approach. I will let Morgana introduce you to Merlin, but I hope we see more of you. You are always welcome at both here and Windsor. If you do make friends with Merlin your name will be added to the security passes ay both places."
"I hope I can befriend the Prince, I would like to help him, he seems a very nice person, and you have my word I would never divulge anything to anyone, not even my family" Freya told Arthur "Thank you for letting me meet him"
Morgana took Freya along to the private rooms "Don't feel obliged in any way Freya, we want you to be happy, if you decide that there is no friendship that is fine, and as Arthur said how often you visit is up to you entirely"
Morgana stopped before a door and introduced Freya to Gwaine adding "He is a flirt, just ignore that and he is a good man. Merlin likes him for some reason for some reason"
"Hello Lady Freya" Gwaine smiled "I can take the abuse"
"Hello Gwaine" Freya smiled back at the protection officer.
"Your next test is Aithusa ma'am" Gwaine told her "That dog is a good judge of character"
"Your do like dogs I hope" Morgana said "Merlin has a therapy dog and they are devoted to each other"
"I do, was that Freya who went to the coronation"
Morgana laughed "Yes it was, the only dog there and she had one of the best seats"
They went in and found Merlin sitting at his desk he looked up as he saw his sister he smiled "I have just finished your picture" in his normal low voice. Then he saw Freya and went red and bowed his head.
"Merlin this is Freya, you knew her when you were small, she has come to say hello"
Merlin looked at Freya "Hello"
Freya looked surprised but recovered quickly "Your Royal Highness" Freya curtsied.
Morgana saw Freya's surprise "The prince only speaks very quietly you will get used to it. Also he hate being called HRH so call him Merlin please"
"Hello Merlin" Freya smiled at Merlin who smiled back.
He then handed Morgana a piece of paper "I hope you like it"
Morgana turned to Freya "My brother is a talented artist" she looked at the drawing and stepped forward and hugged her brother "Thank you I love it." She showed Freya. The drawing was of Morgana in her Coronation finery she was stood before Arthur waiting to pay homage to him. Merlin has been stood near at the time and it was a view not caught by the cameras "I don't know how you remember it all Merlin, you are so clever"
Merlin was clearly pleased by the praise but was obviously wary of Freya so Morgana sat down with them to talk. Aithusa went across to Freya and sniffed then wagged her tail. Aithusa's reaction seemed to settle Merlin. It was arranged that Freya would go to Windsor that weekend and spend some time getting to know Merlin. There was going to be other visitors there as Leon was coming to see Morgana. This time he was coming on his own leaving his sister behind, he was coming to take Morgana out rather than spend time with Arthur. Morgana just hoped it would go under the press's radar, at least for now. Gaius was also coming to stay, he was going to hang around for a couple of weeks while Arthur was away, hopefully that would help Merlin cope.