Arthur and Morgana were told the Merlin had broken down to Gwaine but not every detail, Mithian had spoken to Merlin herself and he was clear he didn't want them to know "I wouldn't be able to look at them if you did" the Prince told her.

Arthur was upset that his brother had not felt able to talk to him but Mithian explained "You have to understand Sir, that Merlin feels ashamed of what happened to him, he still in many ways believes it was his fault. He looks up to you as his King, he was brought up with that ingrained into him. Whilst I know he loves you very much he found it easier to speak to Gwaine about such matters. He really doesn't want you to know the details."

Morgana squeezed her brother arm "Accept it Arthur, in essence Merlin has found someone he can open up to and that's what we wanted, accepting Gwaine as his close protection officer was the best thing you could have done"

Mithian stood up "I am going back to London, Gwaine knows what to do. Please call if you need me, but I feel we have turned the corner with the Prince. Have a good holiday and try to relax"

Freya had already left but Gaius, Leon and Morgause had arrived and were settling in. It would be a much smaller group than in previous years but both Arthur and Morgana were pleased about that. They intended to be far less formal than they had previously been. They had also decided to alter the previous year's habit of opening the presents on Boxing Day and open then Christmas morning before going to church. Arthur had already prepared his Christmas address to the nation and so he too could start to unwind.

Merlin had found the whole Christmas thing puzzling, he knew it would be far different than his previous Christmas's but was still unsure and frightened. For the past sixteen years his Christmas's had included both nice and nasty aspects. Uther would visit him early Christmas Eve and give him a card and a gift. The card would show Uther and Arthur and Morgana, the same card that the Royals sent to everyone. Inside would be a message from Uther telling him that Uther loved him. The gift would be wrapped but he wasn't allowed to open it until Boxing Day. It would be put on the table and he wasn't t touch it. He remembered from his early years the punishment he had if he touched it before he was allowed. After seeing his father he wouldn't see him again for at least a month. Merlin realised now that his father must have come to Sandringham with the others. One Christmas Day he would see one of the 'carers' first thing they would leave food for the day. He would have cereal for breakfast and sandwiches and mince pies left which he would have as he felt like it. Sometimes whoever was sitting outside would come in. He remembered when he was smaller they might come and play with him for a while but as time went on he was left alone.

On Boxing Day he would be given his present and sometimes a further on from Catrina. The gift would be one of only two he would receive, he also had one for his birthday. When he was younger it would be a toy as he got older it would be a book and drawing materials. Once more he would be left mostly alone although sometimes the beatings would start then. With Uther away the men would make the most of the opportunity and the punishments would increase, for the first two weeks, stopping after that so the bruises would fade. With even Agravaine away he had no one to protect him, the men took it out on him that they had to take it in turns to be there. He knew there was two people outside the door as he could hear them laughing.

Morgana was sitting with Merlin late Christmas Eve, Arthur had been called away for a time. Merlin was quieter than normal "What's the matter Merlin? You can tell me, or do you need to talk to Gwaine?"

Merlin didn't answer for a moment, he was clearly thinking deeply "Christmas…..I have listened and watched it seems nice"

"It is Merlin we have too much to eat and see lots of each other. We don't have to go anywhere and we can do what we like" Morgana explained "We do go to church in the morning but it is nice to hear the carols"

"I….I used to be by myself I had mince pies a whole box to myself" he said

"Oh Merlin, I'm sorry. You won't be by yourself this time. Did you have Christmas dinner?"

"Not like on TV, I had sandwiches and mince pies" Merlin said he then wouldn't say any more. Morgana had a horrible feeling that his Christmas's weren't good. Thinking back later she wondered if like when Uther went on tour at Christmas his punishments got worse with no one to check on him. Arthur came in before he retired for the night and they all watched a film together.

Christmas morning Morris woke Merlin with his cup of tea and wished Merlin a Happy Christmas. Merlin smiled and got out of bed and went to his desk and removed a package and gave it to the footman "Happy Christmas Morris"

Morris was surprised he hadn't been expecting a personal gift having already received his gift at Windsor. "Thank you Sir that's very kind of you"

Merlin beamed "You are working today but I hope you enjoy yourself" he told his footman.

Morris opened his gift at Merlin's insistence and found a good quality pen "I'm sorry I didn't know what to buy you, but everyone needs a pen"

"It is very nice Sir and I will use it" Morris went off with a smile on his face after staying until Merlin had his shower.

Merlin got himself washed and dressed then he got Aithusa her breakfast and took her into the garden for her walk after giving Elyan his gift. He was also very surprised and touched by the gesture. Merlin smiled at everyone he saw and wished them all Happy Christmas humming white Christmas as he went., he had discovered Christmas songs and carols a couple of weeks before and loved them. As soon as he was indoors once more he sat and waited to see what happened next. Gwaine knocked on the door and walked in "Happy Christmas Merlin" he handed Merlin a present.

"Thank you so much, can I open it?" he asked tentivly

"Of course you can, when else are you going to" Gwaine joked

Merlin looked worried for a moment "Tomorrow was when I opened my present before"

"Open it now, go on" Gwaine encouraged him. Before he did he went and fetched something and gave it to Gwaine

"Only if you do Happy Christmas"

They both opened their presents Merlin had a couple of DVD's from Gwaine and received a watch from Merlin. Looking at it Gwaine was shocked it was a Jaeger-LeCoultre "Sir I can't accept this it is far to generous"

Merlin looked at him and pouted "You don't like it?"

"I do, but it cost too much, you had no need" Gwaine wasn't sure what to do.

"I know it was a lot but you are my friend and you saved my life, I wanted to get you something special" he looked disappointed "I did check with His Majesty Arthur and he said it was a good one"

Gwaine knew Merlin was getting stressed by the title he gave his brother. If Merlin had told his brother then Gwaine knew he had no choice "Then I thank you very much and will treasure it"

Merlin relaxed and grinned "Look on the back" he said grinning

Engraved was 'To Gwaine, my friend with thanks Prince Merlin' "Arthur got that done for me" Merlin said "He said that way you would have to keep it"

Gwaine stepped forward and hugged Merlin who hugged him back "Thank you my friend, you do me a great honour Sir"

With that Gwaine escorted merlin to the small dining room where his brother, sister and guests were waiting and they all had breakfast. "You look like your enjoying that my boy" Gaius told him

"It's nice I like this" Merlin said honestly. After breakfast they went into the sitting room and there were all the gifts, Merlin had asked Gwaine to fetch all his. Rather than put them in the heaps he quietly and solemnly gave them out. Morgana had made sure he knew who would be coming so he had something for everyone. As he handed the last gift to Leon he turned to everyone "I wanted to give my own out as I have never been able to buy things for people before. I was told to make them small so I did, but I know I spent more than I was supposed to. Please don't tell me off as I have a lot of Christmas's to make up for. My life has changed more than I can say" As he spoke he continually stroked his faithful dog.

There wasn't a dry eye in the room Morgana looked at her younger brother "Merlin that was very nice of you, and we won't tell you off. I must confess I have spoilt you as well. We to haven't been able to enjoy our Christmas's with you. But each year we thought of you, even if we didn't realise you were so close. Happy Christmas brother may we have many, many more together."

Arthur walked forward and put his arm round his brother shoulders and pulled him into a hug. He had been surprised and overwhelmed by Merlin's little speech and surprised that he had come so far to be able to do it. Especially after the recent setback. "Merlin on behalf of us all thank you, you have made us all proud, you are the best brother a man could wish for"

They then opened their presents everyone opening the one that Merlin had given them first. Merlin had put a lot of thought into his gifts. This family all had a box with several items in, Arthur, Morgana and Gaius had a silver photo frame with a hand drawn picture of all of them together as well as individual gifts. Arthur has watch, a pair of cuff links, a couple of silk ties and mug with 'Worlds Best Brother' Morgana has a necklace and matching earrings, a silk scarf and also had a mug with 'Worlds Best Sister" and Gaius had another picture frame with a drawing of Aithusa as well as a fountain pen and box of his favourite sweets. All the guests had silver picture frames with portraits of themselves in. Both Arthur and Morgana swore to use the mugs every day for their coffee.

Once everyone had opened them Merlin spoke once more "I hope you like the pictures if you don't I won't mind if you throw them away but everyone seems to like my drawings and I don't know you all well enough to get you anything you would really like."

Everyone immediate said they loved them and it was true they were all amazed at Merlin's skill and found the personal gesture a lovely thought.

Merlin sat on the floor with his dog by his side and carefully unwrapped his gifts. He was so careful not to damage the paper and read the labels with great concentration as he went. He had also given his dog a present of a new blanket. He loved all his gifts, he was overcome by the generosity and thoughtfulness. Arthur had given him a signet ring with the Pendragon crest on it as well as a watch and a large selection of artist materials, Morgana had given him a selection of computer games and a console as well as a selection of clothes. Gaius had found him a pair of gold cufflinks with a golden retriever which he loved as they looked like Aithusa. He received more artist materials and a couple of really nice nature books from the others. Once they had all opened everything Arthur and Morgana took Merlin outside

"We have one more gift for you and over the next couple of weeks we are going to teach you how to use it" Arthur said with a smile and there was a mountain bike and all the gear to go with it.

Merlin looked at it in wonder, he had seen people cycling on the television and had been fascinated, but he had never thought of having his own or learning how to ride. They eventually managed to drag him away "Come on Merlin Church then dinner, we have plenty of time for you to learn. We have bikes here ourselves so it won't be a problem"