An investigation was started immediately as to how the letter came to arrive on Prince Merlin's tray. No one at the Palace could be faulted as the letter was addressed appropriately for person mail. Agravaine as a family member had known exactly what to do to get the letter past the secretaries. But a new system was immediately put in place for Merlin, it was easy as he had very few people who were permitted to write direct to him.

The letter had a single fingerprint that was identified as Agravaine de Bois, proving without doubt the letter did come from him. He was refusing to say how he smuggled it out, but he did admitted to sending it. In fact he gloated about it. "He deserved it after all we are in here because of him. He's have mad already so hopefully this will send him over the edge he should never be in the public eye"

When Arthur heard he was outraged that anyone could be so proud of causing anyone, let alone his naïve brother, so much hurt. Wasn't it bad enough what they had done to him for years without trying to continue from prison? By now Morgana had heard, she had been away overnight but got back to the news. It was clear she was in the queue to cause a certain prisoner grievous bodily harm. Merlin remained asleep for several hours, but even once he woke he refused to talk or even react with anyone. Not even his beloved Aithusa, who was curled up on the bed with him refusing to leave his side. Mithian examined Merlin and then spoke to Arthur and Morgana.

"Merlin has withdrawn as a self-protection mechanism, I don't believe he has become catatonic, but he does need to be stimulated, and it would be best if he wasn't left alone. I can suggest a couple of psychiatric nurses who are very good and discrete. I'm afraid that this incident might tip Merlin into more severe emotional problems. He was improving and showing signs that he was adapting and beginning to trust again after the years of emotional and physical abuse. But the feelings of security he was exhibiting have been shattered, the letter will make him feel he is unsafe once more."

Arthur was shattered by what he was being told. Morgana looked at the psychiatrist "He will improve again won't he?"

"With your support I have every hope he will, but the Prince was always going to struggle with what happened to him, it was over such a long time and perpetrated by people he should have been able to trust." Mithian explained. "I have mentioned before that I don't think he will ever be the person he would have grown up to be, if none of this had ever happened." She paused "His position is both a good and bad thing, he will get all the help he needs and you can protect him better than most families could. But he is also in the spot light more than most. But I can only reiterate you need to allow him to grow and not be too protective."

"It's hard I don't want him to be hurt, and he has been let down since his release. First Mordred and now this" Morgana said "It make me want to keep everyone away from him"

"I do understand, but he has also gained a support network with Freya and Gwaine. We have been making progress but the Prince still keeps much to himself. He won't talk to either Gwen or myself about the sexual abuse, other than the pictures and the bare minimum, he has hidden it deep within himself and unfortunately the letter has brought it to the fore once more."

Arthur looked up "We will take up your recommendations of the nurses. What else do you want us to do? Should I try to talk to him?"

"No Sir, he will open up when he is ready and to who he feels most comfortable discussing the subject. Get those close to him to spend time with him, read to him, keep the radio on, hold his hand and make him feel he is safe and loved." Mithian said "All the things you have been doing. And have a good festive holiday. I know he was looking forward to it. When you are at Sandringham keep him in the rooms where things are happening and not in his bedroom. Even if he doesn't join in it will help. Isolation is the last thing he needs, he has had sixteen years of that, just let him rest for a few hours in the afternoon. I can draw up a plan if you wish" Mithian smiled thankful that Merlin had such caring siblings.

The first nurse arrived that evening and would spend the night with Merlin. She sat quietly but made sure if Merlin was awake that she spoke to him. The next morning another nurse arrived, but Gwaine also spent some time with Merlin while Arthur and Morgana were making sure everything was up together before they broke for Christmas. Gwaine just talked and talked. Then he noticed that Merlin has tears running down his face. "What's the matter Merlin?"

The prince said nothing but looked at Gwaine. The nurse came forward and gave Gwaine a reassuring smile "Just keep talking to him, he would like that I'm sure"

Gwaine took Merlin's hand "You know you are safe Sir, I won't let anyone hurt you"

After a time Merlin whispered "He's watching me, he knows"

Gwaine immediately guessed who Merlin was referring to "No Sir he can't watch you, he doesn't know what you are doing he is looked away and he will never get to write to you again. And what he said was lies, there is nothing wrong with what you did it was normal."

Merlin just stared at him and didn't speak again but his tears stopped.

It was soon established that Agravaine had got a visitor to smuggle the letter out for him by telling them it was a letter of apology. Promises were made to increase security. Agravaine was referred to the prison psychologist for assessment, and it soon became clear he was trying to be transferred to Broadmoor in the hopes of release at a later date. He was however not transferred, he would serve his sentence in the main stream prison service. Arthur and Merlin were sent a full apology from the prison.

As Morgana was heard to say "The key to his cell and time alone with him for an hour would have been received better"

The move to Sandringham went ahead and as expected Gwaine and Freya insisted on going with them although Freya did say she would be going to her parents' house for a few days over Christmas. They arrived a couple of days before Christmas. Freya had retrieved the box of presents that Merlin had already wrapped. Merlin was still very quiet and not interacting with anyone much but the made sure he had company all the time and the nurses sat with him at night. He hadn't even reacted to the huge tree or decorations. Not even the small tree in his room, what was more he wasn't even making any effort to take Aithusa for walks. Everyone was very worried. One Christmas Eve Gwaine was sat with Merlin as the others went out for a walk. As Gwaine sat he talked to Merlin telling him all sorts of Christmas related stories when Merlin spoke to him.

"Am I going mad?"

Gwaine frowned "No Merlin you are not, you have had a shock that's all"

"He said I would go mad, because I… I woke up and my….I didn't mean to do anything wrong" Merlin was clearly embarrassed

"Merlin what you did was normal, all boys and men wake up with an erection its normal" Gwaine had been told by Mithian if the subject ever came up to be honest and answer Merlin.

Merlin looked at Gwaine, clearly disbelieving him "I'm telling the truth Merlin, I wouldn't lie to you"

"I touched it, Uncle said that was wrong, that I was dirty he called me a whore…..He told me I had to have punishments or I would go mad. Punishments would stop it happening" tears were running down his face, but Merlin didn't seem aware of them.

"Merlin what he did to you was wrong, he was the one who was doing bad things not you"

Merlin carried on talking he didn't even seem to realise that the protection officer had spoken. "He showed me a film of a boy and how they had to punish him it was awful he was screaming there was two of them. Uncle said he would be kind because I was family, he would do it for me." once Merlin had started talking he couldn't stop he opened up and told Gwaine all what had happened. Half way through Gwaine realised that Mithian was by the door listening, but he gave no clue to the young man and let him talk. It was over half an hour later when Merlin stopped he was clearly emotionally exhausted.

When Merlin finished speaking he looked at Gwaine for the first time since he had started talking. "I can't ask Arthur he his King…..would you….would you do the punishment? I trust you and I don't want to go mad" he paused and noticing Gwaine's expression continued "You don't have to…. I shouldn't have asked"

Gwaine steadied his breathing "Merlin you don't need to have that done to you, you will not go mad. Your uncle lied to you, what he got you to do….what he did to you was wrong and evil. You have to understand that. He did it because he wanted to for his own perverted enjoyment"

"No he was right, as long as he did it …..my cock didn't go stiff it worked" Merlin protested. "Valliant and Cenred watched to make sure. They wanted to help as well, so did the others but Uncle said it was his job as family. Uncle told me as long as it worked with just him I wouldn't need the others as well."

Gwaine rubbed his hands through his hair "Christ! Merlin did the others ever touch you like that?"

Merlin shook his head "No….they wanted to, but I said I would tell uncle, they wanted me to do other things, like in the films they showed me, but I told them I would tell His Majesty father, as uncle said I didn't have to"

"Thank god for that! Merlin you never ever have to let anyone do those sorts of things to you unless you want them to, do you understand?" Gwaine looked at the young man in front of him and wondered how he could convince him what had happened was not his fault. Aithusa had been comforting Merlin as he spoke and Merlin hugged her.

"Merlin I need to tell the doctor what you told me, it's important, is that ok"

"Why?" Merlin whispered

"So she can help you Merlin, you need to understand what was asked of you was not right and that you really don't need punishments"

"You don't hate me? I'm not a monster am I?"

"No Merlin I will never hate you, you are my friend, as for being a monster it was the others that were monsters not you. Please I need to tell Mithian"

"Kay"

Once Merlin drifted back to sleep Gwaine left his side and went into the other room and saw Mithian waiting "Did you hear all that?" he asked

"I'd say most of it. I'm glad he was able to vocalise it at last. I'm sorry Gwaine that you had to hear it" Mithian said "But he trusts you or he never would have. Now at least we know what happened."

Gwaine felt sick "How could they do it? Those films they made him watch, they sounded like rape tapes and on young lads from the sounds of it. I suppose we should be grateful that Agravaine at least kept the others off him other than watching and the touching. As for him, the bastard he needs castrating" he realised what he had said "Sorry for the language"

Mithian smiled wryly "I hear far worse than that in my job. I suspect you will need to let the authorities know, the abuse was worse than we thought at the trial, it went on longer also with the others watching and the threats they made."

Gwaine shock his head "It won't make any difference, they won't get out, will you tell the King? Or do I need to?"

"I don't think we need to tell him everything, I don't think Merlin will want him to know. Merlin is an adult, But I will tell him he opened up and what we are going to do to help Merlin" Mithian stood up "I will give Merlin a web site he can look up about morning erections, would you mind looking at them with him? Only I think he might be less embarrassed if he looks at it with a man"

Gwaine agreed willingly "Well that's a Christmas Eve I won't forget in a hurry"

"You handled it very well Gwaine, if you hadn't we might never have known what happened. The Prince had buried it deep, it was the letter that allowed him to open up and without the trust he has in you he night never have spoken"