"Let's meet him then" As Arthur spoke the door opened and a man in his early thirties entered he was a muscular man with a short beard and longer than average hair but still just about the regulation collar length. He bowed respectfully as he entered, he was in a suit as normal. Arthur could see why he wasn't the 'normal' choice he seemed less that the normal respectful type chosen but Arthur was willing to accept this if he could work well with Merlin.
Commissioner Bayard introduced the man "This is Gwaine Green, your majesty"
"Good afternoon Mr Green, you know why you are here?" Arthur enquired
"I am your majesty"
"Sit down and tell me about yourself and how you think you can protect my brother without scaring him to death"
Gwaine sat down "Sir, as the Commissioner said my name is Gwaine Green I was in the Army, Grenadier Guards, left when my time was up and joined the police. During my service I worked with some guys who had been captured and helped them by buddying them afterwards. I have an interest since my father suffered after he was captured in the gulf war, he suffered PTSD, committed suicide in the end. I know how to give space but be there"
Arthur looked at the man in front of him "and how would you do that, you need to be with him, he is going to be a target for the curious as well as the normal dangers."
"Sir, I realise I need to be close at all times, but I know how to blend in as well. I have younger brothers and one of them had epilepsy so also won't be phased. The Commissioner has explained what happened and I would like to help. Not to mention I'm a damn good shot." Gwaine smiled "No one will get near him that I promise you, I also know a few guys who would make a good team. I want to help Sir and it's not just the chance to be on the protection squad, to be honest that hasn't appealed to me before, I feel for the Prince he deserves a life and a good one"
Arthur smiled to himself, he could see why the man in front of him normally wouldn't be considered, but he could also see through to the man below the exterior and found himself believing in him "The post is yours as long as Merlin likes you! I will get a footman to show you the Princes quarters so you can familiarise yourself then feel free to look around. You will be given a plan but you need to know the castle well, Merlin will be coming to Windsor this evening. I will leave the rest to your superiors. Welcome to Windsor Gwaine"
Arthur didn't return to the hospital, waiting instead to see his brother when he returned home. The police and Lance who were already at the hospital would escort both the Prince and Princess home, a full police escort with outriders would be provided. The soldiers already guarding the outside of the castle would be increased as security was tightened. The press would be informed once Merlin was safely in Windsor away from prying eyes. Although Arthur hoped his brother would eventually be able to cope with being in the public. He had no intention of hiding his brother longer than necessary.
When the time came Lance knocked on the door, he had been outside all the time. "Ma'am the car will be here in five minutes we have all the necessary items from the hospital. Will you be ready?"
"Yes we will" with that the doctor arrived to say goodbye. He turned to Merlin and bowed "Sir I will visit you at Windsor tomorrow, Dr Mithian will look after you. Try not to get stressed and good luck" to his surprise Merlin held out his hand so he shook it very gently. The doctor then said his goodbyes to the Princess and escorted them out. They went to the back of the hospital so Merlin could get into the car without being seen, not the normal route for royalty. The car had blackened windows and Merlin huddled into his sister in fear of where they were going. As they pulled away the car was surrounded by police cars and motorbikes as they sped thought London. As they pulled into Windsor Morgana spoke to Merlin "You are home Merlin"
Merlin looked half relieved half scared "My room?" he asked
"Your old room, the one you used to have when you were small" she explained.
"Want my room" his voice was small and frightened. He wanted to go where he was used to, he want the familiar.
Morgana looked at Merlin in sympathy "You have a nice room Merlin and all your things, it will be much nicer than your other room, come on Arthur is waiting" the car door opened. They were parked away from public view and just feet from the door. The police stood around as Morgana coaxed Merlin out of the car and into a waiting wheelchair so he could be whisked quickly into the castle, the corridor had been cleared and Merlin was soon in his room, hardly having chance to realise what was happening.
Arthur was in the anteroom of the suite waiting as Merlin was brought in. As soon as Merlin saw Arthur he stood up hardly waiting for the wheelchair to stop, then he bowed and stayed looking at the floor he was clearly waiting for something. Arthur walked forward "Merlin please don't bow to me, certainly not in private, look at me please"
Merlin's head shot up as if he had been ordered. He looked at Arthur with real fear in his eyes, it cut Arthur to the quick. He stepped forward "Merlin just relax no one is going to hurt you, tell me why are you scared?"
Merlin swallowed nervously and he whispered "s .. sorry your majesty" his head started to go down he couldn't look Arthur in the eye.
Morgana stepped forward "Merlin is it because Arthur is now King?" she asked quietly.
Merlin looked at her from the corner of his eye not turning his head from Arthur. Then looked back at Arthur.
Arthur's breath hitched "Merlin I am your brother first not the King, I don't know what Uther made you do, but please look at me." Arthur quickly grabbed the, now clean, dragon from the side "Do you remember when I gave you this?"
That got a small smile from Merlin and he nodded and Arthur held it out to Merlin "I had it cleaned for you, and teddy"
Arthur swallowed back tears that were starting to form. He held out his arms "Merlin I would like you to hug me, but if you don't want to you don't have to, do it because I'm Arthur not the King"
Merlin hesitated clearly very anxious, he looked at Morgana who smiled and nodded and Merlin shuffled forward towards Arthur and gave the blonde a very quick hug before stepping back but taking the dragon and teddy with him. He pulled them into his chest.
Morgana seeing both her brothers distress moved to stand next to Merlin "Look at your nice room Merlin, your things are here look"
Several of Merlin's things were scattered around the room. Several looking incongruous with the surroundings. Arthur took Merlin's hand gently and started to walk around the room showing Merlin different things, then took him through to the bedroom where Merlin's chest was stood by one wall Arthur opened the chest and Merlin looked inside to see his knights and other toys., now all clean.
"Most of your things are here Merlin, your books" Arthur pointed to a book shelf "and your other things, look you have your own desk"
Arthur heard Merlin say something but didn't catch it so he moved closer "Can you please repeat that Merlin?"
"go to room now" came the whispered reply.
"These are your rooms now Merlin, you don't have to go to the old room, this one is nicer, and the door won't be locked if you want to go out you want" Arthur reassured his brother. "There will be a man out there but he won't hurt you, he's there to keep you safe." Arthur gestured to Gwaine who was hovering by the door. "This is Gwaine"
Merlin looked at Gwaine who bowed "Your Majesty, I will keep you safe I will never hurt you or let anyone else hurt you either" Gwaine smiled then winked at Merlin who almost giggled.
It certainly wasn't protocol but broke the ice and to every one's surprise Merlin held out his hand and Gwaine touched it gently smiling again "Pleased to meet you Sir" Gwaine said as he smiled yet again.
"not sir" Merlin whispered
"To me you are, or would you rather I called you Prince Merlin" Gwaine asked, not wanting to get off on the wrong foot with his new boss.
Merlin didn't answer "Don't worry we'll sort something out." Gwaine looked at Arthur as if expecting a reprimand.
"Gwaine call the Prince whatever he feels comfortable with for now, later in public we may have to sort something out, but it's more important that Merlin is happy" Arthur was sincere he knew Merlin wouldn't be comfortable with too much change and the almost giggle Gwaine had got from Merlin proved to him he had made the right choice.
Arthur waved the waiting Valet forward "Merlin this is Morris your valet, he will help you with your clothes and look after you, if you want anything ask Morris"
Morris stepped forward and bowed. Merlin again looked very uncomfortable, Arthur took pity on his brother "Do you want anything now? A drink perhaps?"
Merlin nodded
"You'd like a drink right tea? Coffee?" Merlin looked blank.
Arthur turned to Morris "Still water please, I think that might be best and perhaps a small light snack"
Morris bowed and silently walked out.
"Merlin do you want Morgana or I to stay?"
Merlin was clearly bemused by everything "Merlin shall we get let all these people go and have a good look round" Mithian asked.
Merlin nodded so Arthur said "we will leave you for now with Mithian. You look tired go to bed when you want to Morris will help you. I will come and see you later. Once you are in bed if you need anyone or thing there is a bell by your bed" They had all decided the phone might confuse Merlin and as someone would be outside the room all night the bell was thought the best compromise.
Arthur smiled before leaving, everyone else following him. At the door Lance and Percy were waiting they followed the Royals. Arthur turned to Morgana "Come on I've got a drink waiting in my room I think we need it" Before they closed the door Arthur turned to Percy "Gwaine is to be with Merlin most of the time, he has permission to be more relaxed if it keeps Merlin happy. There will be someone else arriving later, handpicked by the commissioner. Probably a relaxing of protocols, but I don't care. Merlin is to feel safe"
Percy smiled at the King "Sir he seems a good man for the job."
Arthur waved the men away "Go on you two you should have been off duty hours ago, see you in the morning"
Once inside the room Arthur sank down into a chair Morgana joined him. A footman arrived with a tray with drinks. Arthur took one and looked at Morgana "Irish coffee?"
"I thought it might help you sleep" his sister replied, turning to the footman "That will be all thank you, can you arrange full English for three on a trolley for the morning at eight" the footman left to arrange the order and they were left alone. "I thought we could wheel it in and have breakfast with Merlin"
"Sounds great as long as he's awake." Arthur lent back and sighed
"It's been a long day" Morgana sympathised "So what's it like to be King"
"The PM thinks Uther should have a state funeral."
"If he does I won't go! I won't go no matter what they decide" Morgana told her brother. "You've been down to the room haven't you?"
"I have, don't do it Morgs, keep away" Arthur advised
"Why? Tell me and maybe I won't"
"It's smaller than I thought, bare stone walls not even a crack of daylight, it was so sad. I had most of his things brought up, and you saw how little it was. He had a small radio and that only in recent years, no television. The doctor has suggested we keep the curtains drawn for now, he hasn't seen outside for sixteen bloody years, no sky no grass nothing" Arthur looked at his sister "I'm going to tell you this as it explains things ….. When Merlin was taken down there Uther told him he was only to whisper, didn't want anyone to hear him. When Merlin made a noise he was beaten and then had his few toys and books removed. He was broken down Morgs. We don't know half of it yet. When he bowed and wouldn't look at me ….just because I'm King … what else happened, I don't want him to do that with me. Where's are cheeky brother gone will we get him back?"
Morgana moved closer to her brother "We will, but it will take time, what worries me is his development, how has all this affected him. As to the room, I will go down, I need to face it or my imagination will run riot. What you have said doesn't surprise me, not now, it makes sense. But I am going to talk to someone and so should you"
The couple finished their drinks then retired for the night, Morgana had been right they both got a reasonable night's sleep. The stress and lack of sleep previous nights had left them exhausted.