DAY FOUR PM

When Merlin woke Morris helped him to change and wash, he tried to get Merlin to rest but he went straight to his desk and started writing. Once she knew he was decent Morgana back in and also tried to get her brother to lay down once more. But he continued writing, looking over his shoulder Morgana let out a gasp as she saw what he was writing over and over again. In beautifully neat writing.

'I am a disgrace to the Pendragon name'

"Merlin please stop you don't have to do that, you are not a disgrace at all"

Merlin ignored her and continued to write. In the end the princess sent for her brother.

Arthur arrived and as he looked at what Merlin was doing he blanched. Merlin had already written the same thing over two sides of A4 paper.

Arthur knelt down beside Merlin and very gently Arthur put his hand on his brother's hand, stopping him writing "Merlin please stop, you don't have to do this"

Merlin looked round and seeing his brother jumped up and bowed and won't meet Arthur's eye "Sorry, I couldn't help it. Won't do it again, sorry I be a good boy didn't mean to"

That broke Arthur and he held onto Merlin and hugged him "I'm not Uther, I don't want you to do this, it isn't your fault you did nothing wrong"

Unfortunately that upset Merlin even more, he clearly felt he was to blame for distressing his brother. "Upset you, mm a bad boy"

"Merlin you are not a bad boy, you are a good boy, it was Uther and the others who were bad not you"

The two hugged each other until Arthur realised that his brother had stopped crying and had fallen into an exhausted sleep. Carefully picking up the younger man he moved towards the bed. His sister quickly pulled back the covers as Arthur laid Merlin down. "He is so light he shouldn't be that light"

He looked at his sister and realised she too had been crying, the others had left the room giving them privacy. They hugged each other no words were necessary. There was a quiet knock on the door and Mithian entered.

Arthur explained what had happened Mithian told the couple they had done everything they could have. "He clearly knew that after a seizure he was expected to write lines, some were found in the cellar he was doing what he was conditioned to do, it undermined any self-esteem he might have had in himself and reinforced that what was happening to him was his fault." Mithian paused, clearly the King needed to feel less a cause of bad thing and to rebuild his relationship with the prince "Once Merlin is properly awake you should bring one of your dogs into see Merlin. It might help you of them to get over what had happened."

Arthur agreed so later he took Lucy, who was the gentlest of his dogs up to Merlin's suite. As he entered Merlin looked up and watched the dog with interest. Arthur allowed Lucy to get closer but kept her on the lead. When she reached Merlin the younger Prince very slowly bent down and touched the dog, who licked his hand, it, Merlin actually gave a small grin and continued to touch the dog.

Arthur went closer and got Merlin to sit down and put Lucy by Merlin's side. Merlin was totally absorbed and it wasn't long before he was stroking Lucy. Then he hugged her to everyone's surprise. That sealed it for Arthur he was going to get a dog for Merlin. The visit lasted for over an hour before Arthur took Lucy away. During that time Merlin has actually given several small smiles and had talked to Lucy, the first words besides sorry that he had actually spoken without it being an answer to a direct question. Arthur promised to bring the dog back later.

Late that afternoon Mithian had a meeting with the siblings, Gaius was present at Arthur's request. What she had to tell them wasn't unexpected but hard to take neither less.

"I have assessed Prince Merlin and believe he is suffering from a collection of symptoms that show signs of both post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and Stockholm syndrome. The wish to return to his 'old room' and even saying he deserves to be punished, that he is bad or a disgrace is all part of that as is the transference of the late Kings role to you Sire." She looked at Arthur with sympathy. "His whispering is a learned behaviour that is going to be difficult to break, the punishments and threats over a prolonged period at such a young age will have a long term effect on him. During our talks He has on several occasions showed concern about the people who kept him prisoner." She hesitated before continuing "I had hoped he might have seen outside by now but I have realised he won't unless we instigate it. He has of course no recent concept of curtains, he probably sees them as covering for the walls. Although he has a disc player I have avoided the radio and television due to the coverage. But we have looked at books, the prince doesn't appear to have retained memories of the concept of outside spaces."

"Then what do you suggest?" Arthur asked as Morgana listened in, she was still digesting what she had been told. Having spent some time on the net trying to understand it sort of matched what she had read.

"My treatment plan is a combination of cognitive behaviour therapy, I can recommend an excellent person who I feel will work well with the Prince, and for him to continue work with me, that will help with the other aspects. Also for you and others to reinforce his self-esteem and behaviour patterns. Did he have any close friends as child that he may remember?"

Arthur and Morgana looked at one another before Morgana spoke "Uther disliked us having to many friends, so we were very close, mother was more flexible and we were allowed to associate with some people on a limited basis, for Arthur and myself it was easier, as we went to school, but Merlin hadn't started school when he was injured, the only one I can think of, besides our best friends was the youngest son of the Duke of Essetir, Mordred."

"Like the Princess said Mordred and our friends Leon and Morgause and perhaps Lady Freya the Duke of Caerleon's daughter. I could contact them, I haven't really kept in touch, but know the families well of course." Arthur said.

"If I could meet then, it won't be easy and I would want to make sure they could cope. I really don't want to go down the drug route, for something as long standing as this I don't think it would be helpful. I have already withdrawn the diazepam, I realise that increases the risk of seizures but feel we need the Prince back fully to help him cope. We can still give a low dose if we think the circumstances warrant it." Mithian smiled at the couple "As to the outside I think that could be your job, I think he could be ready for it and if the Prince is to have a dog he needs help to look after it, it will give him focus" she then went on to explain her plan for the next morning.

Once they were finished the couple went off to find their friends, Mithian suggested letting Merlin have some time by himself as he wasn't used to company all the time. When he was on his own Merlin spent most of his time in his bedroom reading, the Close Protection Officers took it in turns to sit in the anteroom, so they were close enough to here if they were needed.