Summary of previous chapter

Arthur was contacted by Commissioner Bayard on Monday morning who wished to visit the castle to give the King an update on the case. Morgana also attended. They learnt that all the persons involved had been arrested and that at 11 years old Merlin had been attacked and badly beaten when he had left the room. They were also told of some of what Merlin had endured as in his missing sixteen years. Merlin picked his captors out of identity photos and during his police interview had revealed that his Uncle Agravaine had made him indulge in oral sex during the adult years of his imprisonment.

Contin…..

After Merlin had had his session with the police then Mithian he had a small snack and went to bed, he was mentally and physically exhausted. His physical strength was not great, living in one room for such a long time had done that. Whilst resting he had another seizure, which Gwaine who was in the anteroom heard and kept Merlin safe. Later Morris helped Merlin, but after receiving instructions from the doctor let Merlin have privacy during washing and dressing. Something Merlin had already made more than clear since his rescue. Although it seemed that the photo of Agravaine was more of a trigger than anyone being close to Merlin was, they weren't taking chances.

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The following two weeks

Arthur and Morgana kept their promise, made when they were given the details of Merlin's treatment, and arranged with Mithian to have counselling. They were both glad of this when they heard of their uncles actions. Due to Merlin's isolation and lack of the company of other children during his formative years, that had altered his normal development patterns, his siblings as next of kin were being informed of all treatments. Mithian assessed him at twelve in his mental age, even if, due to the large amount of reading he had done he was adult in some of his knowledge. Mithian did say that Merlin may well catch up and become 'normal' for his age, but it would take time.

They continued to work on Merlin's trigger point so he could go outside. Each day he would get to the door and using various methods including music, sucking on very bitter sweets and holding ice cubes to distract his mind, it took several attempts but then one afternoon he finally got outside his room, using all the normal tricks and with Arthur by his side, and both Morgana and Gwaine in the corridor encouraging him, Merlin took a deep breath and took a step out of the door, it was clearly taking all his courage. Merlin then wanted to go outside to the garden, he was still spending large amounts of time looking out of the windows. So with Gwaine walking one side and Arthur the other Merlin slowly walked to the top of the stairs, there he stopped once more.

Gwaine smiled and realised their mistake "You haven't gone downstairs have you?" he looked at Arthur "The lift your majesty?"

"The lift" Arthur agreed, this was clearly more of an undertaking than they thought. Merlin would have used all his energy going downstairs and as he had already come out of his room the stairs could wait for another day. Eventually they reached the door each step had clearly been an effort for Merlin. The lift had also scared him. But once outside he seemed to change and was soon touching and smelling everything. Morgana had collected the dogs and Gaius and met Merlin outside. Merlin was soon rosy cheeked and smiling, alright not full smiles but the best they had ever seen. It almost appeared that he was worried to let himself be fully happy in case it all disappeared. When they reached the flower beds Merlin was in wonder at the colours, but even then he kept a close eye on the dogs. Stopping to stroke them frequently.

Morgana had taken several photos with her phone as they walked round. Merlin's lack of physical exercise soon showed as he slowed down and looked exhausted. Gwaine took him to one of the many benches and sat down with him "Shall we watch the dogs play from here?"

Merlin had developed a close relationship with his Protection Officer, better even than the relationship with his siblings. Mithian explained that part of Merlin's problem was that he felt, wrongly, that he had been abandoned by them years before and that they were also responsible for him being separated from all he had known in the cellar. It would take time and love to rebuild that trust.

Arthur started to throw the ball and the dogs had a good run around, with Merlin watching. It was soon time to head back indoors as they didn't want to tire Merlin on his first trip out. They used a wheelchair to get Merlin back to his rooms.

Arthur and Gaius discussed a dog with Mithian and it was decided that Merlin would be offered a puppy from a known family of seizure detecting dogs. Mithian and Gwen were convinced that having a puppy and being involved in it from the earliest stages would help Merlin in many ways, his epilepsy, PTSD and his other issues. Mithian also felt that the dog would give Merlin something to help him cope with the change in his circumstances. He was finding it difficult no being in his 'old' room and the people he knew. Despite all they had done to him they had been his family for sixteen years and Merlin missed them.

It took Arthur and Morgana a while to understand this and the resentment Merlin sometimes showed when he wasn't allowed back to what he considered his home. The puppy that the charity offered Merlin was a six month old Golden Retriever called Aithusa. Merlin wasn't told about his dog until it was ready to be delivered. The puppy's final training would be done once Merlin had settled in with him.

Gaius had used his contacts to get Merlin the puppy quickly, pointing out that the Prince having such a dog would raise the profile of the charities work, and they were still relatively unknown compared with Guide dogs for the Blind. The fact that Merlin had so many problems that could be helped by owning a dog, and that he was taking one that had not yet been trained helped. After Merlin had been allocated the puppy Gaius, Arthur and Morgana made a substantial donation each. Arthur also agreed to become a Patron for the charity, the first such announcement since becoming King.