Freya let Arthur know how it had gone "He came across as shy but kind and interested but afterwards he crumpled. The Prince found it very stressful and Gwaine had to give him something to calm him afterwards" she explained.
"He didn't have a seizure did he?" Arthur asked very concerned
"No Sir he didn't" Freya acknowledged
That at least relieved Arthur "I will go and see him later, I know the doctor is coming tomorrow. We need to make sure this is done very carefully" Arthur like his sister wasn't quite sure if they were doing the right thing by their brother.
"Sir there is one other thing, Merlin has asked about Christmas, the advertising is on the television already. He wants to buy people things" she looked embarrassed "The Prince seems to have little concept of money Sir, I know this will sound silly but does he have any?"
Arthur looked shocked "I hadn't thought of that! The King left him nothing, I suppose that would have meant admitting he was alive! But the lawyers are sorting it out and also had the money his mother left him is being taken back from our accounts, it was given to us by the King after the Princes funeral. But at the moment he does have some money in an account. Just let me know when you need some and we will make some sort of arrangements for him to draw on it." Arthur paused "Could you help him understand the concept, we will help of course. We still keep coming across things we hadn't thought off, even after all this time. If you find anything else please mention it to either the Princess or I."
Morgana meanwhile was trying to sort out Christmas, it was tradition to go the Sandringham and had been since 1932 the house itself had been in the family for 150 years. Arthur didn't think it a good idea to just abandon it just yet. Morgana had argued "Well if we do go we can't go shooting I don't think Merlin will forgive us if we kill things"
"I agree, to be honest I won't miss the shoot. But it's a great area and such a change. There are loads of walks and we could go out on our bikes. And the house itself does lend to a good Christmas." He looked at his sister "Let's go but make our own traditions. Just make sure we get the big tree, oh and one for Merlin's room."
The pair talked round what they wanted and then Morgana was left to sort it. The first thing she had to organise was which room would be Merlin's so she drove up to check everything. And inform the shoot it would no longer have Royal patronage. They had arranged for a photo to be taken of the three of them for the Christmas card of the year so it made Merlin think the festive season would soon be here.
For two days after Merlin's first solo appearance he refused to get out of bed. He believed he had not done well and that people were disappointed in him. Mithian and Gwen spent time with him and he eventually started to come round once more. After Mithian had spoken to Merlin it was decided, due to the stress it had caused him he would just have two more public appearances before they went to Sandringham. That was the parties that was held each year before the Royals left for Norfolk, for both the Buckingham Palace and Windsor staff. They were big events with over 400 working at Buckingham Palace and 300 at Windsor. This was clearly too many for the Prince to cope with for long so it was planned that after a brief appearance he would speak to those people he knew well, and give gifts to those who actually worked directly with him.
Freya decided after talking to Merlin that they would go shopping together, but clearly not in crowded stores. In recent years the Royal's had taken to internet shopping, for security reasons, but so that Merlin could understand the concept better it was arranged that Harrods would stay open late one night just for the Royals to shop after everyone one else had left. This was arranged for three weeks before Christmas. Merlin became very excited and was really looking forward to it. Freya and Gwaine would stay close but the whole store would be carefully watched by security.
They all arrived in the unmarked cars and split up as Merlin insisted he didn't want anyone to know what he was getting them "Now don't forget we get small things you have no need to spend a fortune" Arthur stressed.
"No leave that to me" Morgana laughed "I want several things for myself"
Merlin grinned he wanted to buy people nice things and he would, it was his first shopping trip and his first Christmas. "Come on Freya, let's leave grumpy and have fun" he took off in the opposite direction from his brother and sister.
He had been looking on the internet for weeks for ideas. By the time they had fished he had spent a small fortune. Freya tried to reason with him "The idea is small things Merlin" she said in exasperation "The amount you are sending on one gift is more than a lot of people have to live on for a week and you have bought more than one thing for everyone"
"I know Freya, I have been studying about money, but I have it and I haven't given anyone presents before I have a lot of catching up to do" he looked at her and smirked "I heard Morgana say she was going to make it up to me, so she won't get one thing either."
Freya found it hard to argue with him. He then made Freya go away while he got her something. She left instructions with Gwaine to stop him spending too much. "You won't listen to me either will you?" the brunette asked
"No, what are you buying her?" Merlin asked slyly
"Never you mind, I won't tell you. You might forget and tell her." Gwaine grinned back. By the time Merlin had fished he just had one more thing to buy so he asked Percy to swop with Gwaine
"I want to get rid of him for a bit" Merlin said cheekily. That made Arthur smile, it had taken a long time for Merlin to get that cheekiness back, it was something he remembered fondly from when Merlin was a toddler.
Percy agreed and off Merlin went once more. He seemed to know where he was going and soon made his purchases. He was exhausted by the time he got back and knew he had spent far more than he had been told, but he knew he had the money so didn't care.
The two parties took place and as promised Arthur as was normal for the Monarch gave each member of staff an envelope that contained a gift token, something that had happened for years. They would have a surprised this year as Arthur had upped the amount, not by much but at least it was a gesture. Morgana stood by his side throughout, but Merlin was planned just stayed while Arthur gave his speech then left to go to a small anteroom where his own staff met after they had spoken to Arthur. He also retired to his rooms earlier than the rest.
He was still feeling the effects of his trip out but found the company of Freya and even Morris helped. A couple of days before they were to leave for Norfolk Morris came in first thing with Merlin's cup of tea, he had taken to having a cup before he got up in the mornings. On his tray was an envelope. Merlin looked at it puzzled, Morris smiled "I suspect it is season's greetings from someone Sir"
"But I don't open my letters" Merlin knew he had a couple of people who answered all his mail, or sorted it so only the important stuff was seen by Freya then him if needed. He had soon learnt he would never be able to deal with all that arrived.
Morris looked at Merlin and explained "There is a special way of addressing the envelopes Sir, for close family and friends, those letter will be sent straight to you unopened"
"Oh" Merlin looked at the envelope in puzzlement.
"I will run your bath Sir and leave you it look at it in private" as Morris turned to the bathroom Merlin very carefully opened the envelope and took out the card and started to read. As he did his eyes opened wide and his breaths increased, the card dropped from him hands and he curled up in a foetal position, and started to shake and whimper. Immediately Aithusa let out a couple of short sharp barks and nuzzled into him, before barking again.
Out in the corridor Elyan was just talking to Gwaine as they had both just come on duty. Hearing the bark Gwaine went into the room just as Morris came out of the bathroom. Both men rushed to Merlin's side thinking he was having a seizure. But found he didn't appear to be, it he wouldn't answer him or talk. "Merlin what's the matter? Come on speak to me" Gwaine asked as he tried to get Merlin to uncurl.
Morris spotted the card and picked it up and glanced at it, as he did his face went pale. "Gwaine" he handed the protection officer the card.
As Gwaine looked at it he looked disgusted and angry "The bastard"
Gwaine pressed the walkie talkie clipped to his lapel. "Elyan get the boss. And call Percy to ask the King to attend, we have a situation" he looked up at the shocked footman "Call the doctor, and Morris say nothing about this to anyone"
"I won't Sir" Morris went off to call Mithian leaving Gwaine hugging Merlin, and trying to get him to respond.
