Morris came in with all of the items for the dog and left them to one side. Merlin's care was going to start with sorting everything out. After a while Aithusa started to sniff around. So Merlin solemnly gave her a tour of his rooms. Arthur smiled and told Merlin "Aithusa has her own bed she is not to sleep on yours"
Merlin's face fell but he would do as he was told, he wasn't able to do otherwise, not after his upbringing. So he found the dog bed and put it right next to his. Then he put the box with her toys next to his chest. By the time he had finished the dogs items outnumbered his own. Even the small kitchen had food stored in the fridge and dog treats in a tin on the side.
Arthur sat down and explained to Merlin that the puppy had already been house trained and would go to the door when she wanted to go outside to wee. But if she did have an accident Merlin was to report it and get it cleaned up. Merlin insisted he would clean anything up himself, he was told if she did want to go out could take her or the footmen would. But Merlin needed to take her out at least twice a day. Merlin was to look after Aithusa feeding her and playing with her. The idea was for the dog to get used to Merlin and hopefully sense when he was going to have a seizure. It was also hoped that having the responsibility of having the puppy would help Merlin overcome his psychological problems. Arthur showed Merlin a plan that the charity had drawn up with a plan of Aithusa's day and how much she should eat.
Neither Arthur nor Morgana could remember seeing Merlin look so happy and content. Morgana took as many photos on her phone as she could the showed them to Merlin. For some reason Merlin looked shocked at what he saw, Morgana planned on asking Mithian about that next time she saw the doctor.
When lunch was brought up they all sat down and Aithusa sat at Merlin's feet. Morgana explained to Merlin not to feed her from the table as the food might be bad for her, and for now at least he did as he was told. After lunch Merlin decided he wanted to take his dog out for a walk so put Aithusa on her lead and went out the door with hardly a pause. He had a ball in his hand and clearly planned to play with Aithusa. Gwaine, Percy and Lance followed behind as the siblings and their Uncle Gaius went down to the gardens. Once there Merlin played with Aithusa throwing the ball and even running a bit. Before sitting down on a bench with the puppy by his side. The two seemed to have formed an immediate bond.
When it was time to go inside Merlin was shown where he could clean his dog's paws before taking her back upstairs. He wouldn't let the footman do it for him "My dog" he told them crossly when they tried. The rest of them left Merlin with his dog for a while. When Gaius went in later to check he found the two still together. Merlin sitting on the floor with a book and the dog asleep by his side.
Before Merlin had his own supper he fed the dog in the small kitchen area and as soon as he had eaten his own food he took Aithusa down to the garden once more. All the extra exercise was making Merlin tired but he was clearly happy.
That night just before Merlin went to bed took Aithusa out to the garden before making sure she had water in her bowl. Then he showed Aithusa her bed then got in his own. She cried and wanted to get onto the bed. But Merlin remembered what Arthur had said. He dared not let the dog up, he wasn't sure what would happen if he did, and he didn't want to lose Aithusa as punishment. So he kept stroking her head.
Out in the anteroom Elyan heard the dog crying then it stopped and remained silent for the rest of the night. Next morning when Morris went in with Merlin's early morning cup of tea he found Merlin curled up on the floor with his dog, fast asleep. He signalled to Elyan who came in and smiled "I don't think that's going to work, I'll let the King know, what's the betting Aithusa ends up on the bed."
Morris also smiled "I think your right, but it was good to see the Prince looking so happy." Morris felt that despite his problems Merlin was a breath of fresh air and enjoyed serving him. Merlin was so easy to please and always thanked him for everything. He hoped that having the dog would help the young man overcome his problems. Morris was very loyal to the Prince already and refused to speak of his young master to the other staff and the valet carefully selected those who would help Merlin when he was off duty.
Elyan asked Morris if he knew if the King as awake yet. "Yes he is George his valet went in to him some time ago. Why?"
"Because he has to come and see this, don't wake Merlin up yet" Elyan went across to the phone and rang the King's rooms and requested that the king please come to Merlin's rooms.
Arthur came across almost immediately he was already dressed in slacks and a shirt. "What's the matter Elyan?" he asked the protection officer.
"I thought you might want to see something Sire" Elyan grinned "I know Gwaine's going to be miffed not to see it." Elyan wasn't due to change over with Gwaine for half an hour.
Arthur went into Merlin's bedroom and smiled at the sight before him. The Prince and puppy were curled up together and although Merlin was still asleep Aithusa was watching the men intently. Arthur bent down and stroked the dog at the same time speaking to his brother.
"Good morning Merlin, is it comfortable down there?" Merlin opened his eyes and looked up. Then as he realised who it was and where he was he shot up.
"Sorry, sorry she didn't get on the bed. She was crying please don't take her away" Merlin was whispering as usually but clearly scared.
"Whoa there Merlin, I'm not cross and no one will take Aithusa away, she is your dog and you can keep her" Arthur said calmly. "We were just surprised to find you on the floor, you looked so cute."
"You said no bed, and she was crying" Merlin explained.
Arthur smiled "But Merlin I don't want you on the floor, she will get used to her bed don't worry. But she won't if you sleep on the floor with her, she might cry for a couple of nights but she will settle"
Merlin looked horrified "No, she mustn't cry, don't want her sad. Love her"
Arthur didn't know what to say to that, then he heard Morgana give a small laugh "He's got you Arthur, you're going to have to give in, or he will be on the floor every morning."
"Not helping Gana" Arthur told her "Come on Merlin sit up and have your tea and a wash and get dressed we'll talk about this later ok. I'm going back to finish getting ready myself." Arthur went out the room and as he did so he heard his sister say to Merlin
"Don't worry broth, Arthur will come round"
"Gana!" Arthur snarled "Not helping"
Morgana chuckled as she past her older brother and went back to her rooms. They all had breakfast together once Merlin had taken Aithusa down to relieve herself. As they waited for Merlin to arrive Arthur said "I think we are going to be playing second fiddle to that dog now"
"We are, and you are going to have to let her sleep on his bed, she's good for him, already there's a difference. Look how he just walks out the door now, he has a purpose" Morgana smiled "Just chill out Arthur"
Over breakfast Arthur and Morgana was always discussed their day, Arthur mentioned the broadcast. Merlin who had watched some television, albeit carefully selected to try to stop him being exposed to the almost constant speculation about his imprisonment and recovery, asked his brother a question. As Merlin seldom asked anything Arthur did his best to answer him
"What are you going to say?" Merlin whispered
"I will try to explain what sort of King I hope to be, and also thank people for their support since your release. A great many people have sent messages wishing you well" Arthur told him.
"I know, Mithian told me and Uncle Gaius" Merlin looked at his brother "Will Gina be on Television to?" Merlin would like to see that if he was allowed.
"Yes at the end just so people see us together, would you like to as well, you needn't say anything" Arthur asked curiously. "If you do you would be in a room with just us two and a few TV people"
"Don't know" came the whispered reply.
"Well think about it, you haven't got to and if you do Gana will be with you and I will be there all the time." Arthur hoped Merlin would, he was coming under increasing pressure to allow access to Merlin, and this might be a way of satisfying that pressure but not exposing Merlin to the full glory of the press. "Even Aithusa can come if you want."
After breakfast Arthur went back to his office to work on the statement he was to give for the press later that day. It was to be aired after the date of the coronation was being announced. It had been written several times already but then not approved and then he hadn't liked the changes that the press office insisted on. He was also being encouraged to do a series of visits nationwide in the next few weeks and could see no way out of them. The plan was he would come home each evening, but it did mean he would get to spend less time with his brother. Morgana was also to do some visits but less.
When the film crews arrived the palace publicity people told them that Merlin might appear, but if he did there was to be no flash photography nor were that to ask questions as he was not medically fit to cope with the stress. A full agreement was reached. But everyone knew there was no guarantee. As they were setting up Morgana took Merlin into the room after he has been downstairs with his dog. She hoped if she showed him how many people would be there he might be more willing to agree. With both Gwaine and Lance present the crews were very good and didn't ask him anything and other than making a fuss of Aithusa, which Merlin liked. Later when Arthur went down to do the filming Morgana went along to see Merlin.
Arthur was soon giving his address
"The date of my Coronation has been announced. I therefore wanted to speak to you today to explain how I see my role as King. All around us things are developing at an ever faster rate, and we need to evolve with it to reflect those changes. It is my intention to reflect this in my duties, I will continue to act as leader of the Commonwealth and to help my country in any way I can. As leader of the Church of England I will embrace all the peoples and beliefs of our modern multiracial society. I intend to lead the changes that will carry the Royal Family forward and make it fit for purpose, to be more assessable and accountable to you the people. I want to fully understand all the citizens, and their concerns that look to me as the head of state. The challenges of Global warming and natural resources are something we must all face together.
Then from a personal point of view, my sister, brother and I would like to thank everyone for the messages of support we have received in the past six weeks. As with any loss to a family it has been hard to adjust. In this case the recovery of our dear brother has meant we have had other matters to accept. Prince Merlin is slowly adjusting to his new life but it will be a long time, if ever, before he can take up Royal duties. His sixteen years away from us have taken a heavy toll on his physiological and physical condition. The family is an important unit something I am passionate about.
"I hope that I will serve you all to the best of my ability and will live up to the ideals I, and you, hold dear."
As the speech came to an end Arthur turned towards the door as it opened and Morgana walked in with Merlin and Aithusa. Merlin was looking down at his dog holding his sisters hand.
"My sister the Princess Morgana will help me in that role, and my brother Prince Merlin I know will give what support he can. He wanted to come in today for these brief moments to thank you in his own way." Arthur walked to the other side of Merlin and the three siblings stood together as the broadcast ended.