When the day of the wedding came the weather was glorious. Merlin was the first of the family at Westminster Abbey and was sat waiting with Leon, Gaius and Morgause. He kept checking to make sure the rings were still in his pocket. Gwaine seeing how nervous he was getting discretely approached and took Merlin and Aithusa out of site of the cameras and crowds.

"Merlin you need to keep calm, you will make Aithusa nervous. Don't worry everything will be fine. We will stay here until I am radioed to say your family are outside"

Merlin nodded he was paler than normal and Gwaine was concerned he was working himself up for a seizure. Although he was reassured by Aithusa's manner. The dog was showing no signs that she sensed anything other than the Princes apprehension. Gwaine sat Merlin down and talked to him to take his mind of off the waiting. As his radio crackled into life Gwaine smiled at his friend "Come on time for action"

Merlin took the rings out of his pocket to check them yet again. "I might mess up"

"Sir you will not mess up, you have practiced this lots of times. Just relax and you will be fine. The Princess will be so happy that you can do this for her on her big day."

Gwaine smiled and gently guided the younger man back to his place. After a few minutes Merlin could see his sister and brother walking down the long aisle together with the six bridesmaids holding the train. Merlin thought his sister was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, and that Arthur looked splendid in his uniform. Before long Merlin was handing over the rings on their cushion, as he did his sister looked at his with such pride and love he felt tears in his eyes. Arthur was sat by him when he sat back down and they looked at each other and smiled. Arthur couldn't help but think that is wasn't even yet a year since they had found Merlin after thinking him dead, and the young man had come on so far in such a short time.

As they left the abbey Merlin was to travel in the same coach as Arthur, the ever faithful Aithusa with them. After the public side of the wedding was the reception. Leon had asked one of his friends to take over the duties as best man for this. Arthur gave his speech and at the end mentioned that although it was his sister's day he wanted to mention how much it had meant to both he and his sister to have their younger brother with them for the day. Then Merlin surprised everyone by standing up, only Gwaine had known what he had planned.

Keeping his eyes on Morgana and his hand on Aithusa for support he spoke "I know I'm not supposed to talk but I wanted to say you looked beautiful today and I hope you and Leon will be very happy, and I thank you for helping me so much in the past eleven months." With that he sat down.

There was a pause of surprise before everyone clapped. Morgana looked at her younger brother and this time it was her who had the tears "Thank you Merlin you have no idea what those words mean to me, or how we are so lucky to have you here today. You have made day extra special for us"

Leon also spoke "I am honoured that you agreed to be my groomsman and thank you so much"

Leon's friend then gave his speech and the reception continued. Prince Merlin stayed for the meal but was going to leave afterwards, as he had had enough of so many people by then. Trying to sneak out without being seen, except of course by his personal protection officer, he was spotted by Morgana who immediately approached him "Merlin please before you go will you dance with me?"

She looked so hopeful Merlin stopped and his eyes as big as a rabbit caught in headlights he looked at her completely overwhelmed. Morgana seeing how scared he was gave him a grin. "Come on Merlin we will go next door, we can still hear the music but no one will see you" she took her brothers hand and they did as she suggested. Gwaine very carefully took a photo with his phone for the Princess. After the dance Merlin went off to his rooms and wound down. The day had been very stressful for him but he had wanted to attend and take part. Gwaine suggested he have an early night and read in bed. Morris had come in with a hot milky drink. He had been waiting at the reception and had seen just how exhausted the day had been for the shy Prince.

Merlin decided to do as suggested and Morris helped him to settle. Later when Arthur came in to see his brother he found that the young man had experienced a seizure and was sleeping off the effects.

"I shouldn't have let him do so much" Arthur said to Gwaine guiltily.

"You wouldn't have been able to stop him Sir, he enjoyed it. His seizures are part of him and you cannot protect him from them completely. You are allowing him to life a good life where he is safe and loved" Gwaine said "He was safe and it was as he relaxed that it started. Aithusa let us know"

Arthur sat by his brother's bed and looked down at him. "I was so proud of him today, did you know he was going to speak?"

"Yes Sir, he mentioned it, he knew it was normal practice. I suggested he didn't say anything before in case he changed his mind"

"Thank you Gwaine, you were one of my better choices when it has come to my brother. I hope you will be able to stay with him for a long time. I'm not sure how we would do without you" Arthur was sincere. He knew with his duties keeping him busy and often taking him and Morgana away Merlin needed a stable presence in his life.

Gwaine smiled "Oh I intend to be Sir, with respect the Prince has become my family and I know Freya feels the same way."

"Good, because his real family have hardly been the best thing in his life up until now." Arthur bent and kissed his sleeping brothers forehead. He knew from experience Merlin would sleep deeply for several hours. "With your help we will make that up to him. I never again want him to feel lonely or bad about himself. Having him feel safe is worth more than my crown"

Gwaine nodded and left the King with his brother. Arthur had meant every world he said and he had plans for the future that would make his brother feel protected and secure, and all the present team who surrounded the young man would play and important part in that. He had spoken briefly to Morgana before leaving to check on Merlin and knew she intended to continue to play a central part in Merlin's life and that her new husband agreed. Thinking back it hardly seemed possible that it was less than a year before when they sat by their father's bed and heard the words that would change all their lives. He could remember it like it was yesterday. The first they knew was those two words:

"Your brother"

And Arthur could remember saying "Merlin is dead father, he died years ago" Arthur said gently before Uther said

"No, he's alive, didn't want him to disgrace our name, it was wrong of me. You will be King soon….. Look after your sister and brother. You will be a great King….tell Merlin I'm sorry I know he hates me. Love you all, didn't show it, set Merlin free"

Arthur still couldn't believe that his father had done such a thing and wondered if he knew of the abuse Merlin suffered, had he turned a blind eye. They had missed so much and Merlin had suffered so much he knew he would never forgive his father for his actions. He had nightmares occasionally that his father had lived on for years and Merlin had never been released in time to have any meaningful life. Shaking himself and forcing his mind back to the present he stood up and looking down at Merlin once more and quietly and sincerely he said "I promised above all else I will keep you safe and happy my brother."

…

There is be a sequel to this story, set further into the future but not just yet I have a couple of stories that are fighting to get out of my brain.