The next day Arthur told six other people. Leon and Morgana were the first as he wanted Merlin to be protected should the worse happen. He asked if Morgana could stay with Merlin when he had his treatment. Leon looked after their legal affairs so he needed to know. Arthur then told Gwaine, he knew that Merlin would rely on him more than anyone. Merlin would need all the support he could get in the following months.
Hunith was next and the hardest after Merlin, she was like a mother to him and he wanted her to hear it from him. The only other people he told from the onset were Dr Kilgarrah and Iseldir, so they were aware that Merlin might need support. Later once he stared treatment he knew everyone would know, but he didn't want people talking too much around Merlin.
As soon as he could Merlin got on the computer and started looking up everything on the treatment and prognosis of prostate cancer. He was slightly happier once he had finished, it appeared that if the cancer was caught early enough the treatment was successful. By the end of his session on the computer, he had a list of questions to take with them when they saw the specialist. At least he knew that if the tumour was localised there was a good chance of full recovery.
Rather than Merlin sinking into depression he seemed to be more positive. It was as if he felt he needed to be strong for Arthur sake. In fact Merlin found himself comforting Morgana and Miranda and spent a long time trying to explain everything to them. Arthur didn't want to talk about it with anyone but Merlin. Arthur was pleased that Merlin seemed to be coping well, but wondered if it would hit him later. But they both did their best to be optimistic even though the word cancer scared them.
When Arthur and Merlin saw the oncologist Merlin got out his list of questions, at least this way he felt more involved. With help and advice from the oncologist the form of treatment was soon decided. The doctor then spent some time discussing the side effects and possible problems after treatment. Merlin in particular asked if the cancer had been caused by their lifestyle. He had heard that gay men were more susceptible, but he was reassured this was not true.
They were told that Arthur might have some erectile dysfunction afterwards, but neither man was overly worried about that, as long as they had each other. After all, after Merlin was rescued they had a long time without sex. When they were told that they would need to use condoms with lots of lubrication for a time after treatment, as Arthur would be sore, Merlin laughed. He knew Arthur hated condoms and moaned that lubrication messed up his nice sheets. Arthur found it all very embarrassing and kicked Merlin under the table.
They left the consultation more positive than they went in, at least now they knew what they faced. Arthur was started on hormone replacement therapy straight away. Once home they sat together for hours just enjoying being together, both secretly wondering what the future would bring.
Then a couple of weeks later Arthur was started his treatment, Temporary Brachytherapy, which was given in three treatments six hours apart so he had to stay in hospital overnight. Merlin insisted in staying in the hospital as the treatment was given, sitting with Arthur in between. But that night Gwaine practically had to drag him home. Never had the dogs been so vital they were unconditional in their affection and kept Merlin busy as well as giving him company that night. No one had the heart to stop them sleeping in bed with Merlin.
First thing next morning Merlin and Gwaine were back at the hospital. Merlin saw Arthur for about half an hour before his next treatment. Once it was over they were allowed to go home. Arthur was given a course of antibiotics afterwards to prevent infection. They then had a break of two weeks before the radiotherapy started.
Merlin became very protective of Arthur and looked after the other man who was feeling the effects of all the stress as well as the treatment. They had one or two minor arguments but soon made up.
When Arthur started on his four weeks of radiotherapy he travelled in on a daily basis and again Merlin insisted on going in each day. Both men were getting tired but they wanted to spend their time together. Every moment became important to them. All the way though the process Arthur was scared, not for himself, but what would happen to Merlin if the worse happened. He was not in control, and for him that brought back the bad days when Merlin was missing. He tried not to let Merlin know how frightened he was. Whereas Merlin just couldn't imagine life without Arthur, and made his mind up that nothing bad was going to happen he wouldn't let it. He buried his fear so deep he wouldn't allow himself to feel it. He would face what happen when the time came.
Although the treatment only spanned a couple of months it seemed an age to everyone. Arthur felt unwell though quite a bit of the treatment and had aged during it. Merlin did everything he could to keep his husband's spirits up and refused to let Arthur sleep in one of the spare bedrooms when he had disturbed nights. They would be together came what may, nothing was going to part them. They often spent the small hours a night talking, telling each other how much they cared and talking about their happy times together and what they would do in the future.
Then at last the treatment was over. When Arthur was given the news that his markers were back to normal and for the present he was free of the cancer they both hugged each and cried in relief. Arthur would still need regular blood tests to check his levels of PSA, but so far they remained low and once more the two men felt they could breath. They both knew Arthur would continue to have checkups but for the moment he was safe.
They celebrated by getting everyone together for a meal, to thank them for their support during the dark days. Arthur remained tired for some time, but slowly his health returned and things could settle back down. Although Merlin no longer took Arthur's health for granted. Once again they had faced adversity and come though the other side. Even Miranda, Mordred and William came back for the meal so everyone one was there. As a double celebration Miranda and Mordred announced their engagement.
