They walked into the ward to see Merlin lead in a bed looking even paler with the crisp white sheet pulled up around him. He had an oxygen mask covering most of his face and there was a drip going in one arm. The other arm was raised up on a pillow and wrapped up in bandages, the surgeons had told them it had been pinned and plated to repair the break. All they could see of Merlin was bruises and stitches. He was partial sat up to help his breathing as his chest was badly bruised as well. Arthur noticed a catheter hanging on the bed, so at least Merlin wouldn't have to bother with that for now.
Arthur sat down at one side of the bed and Merlin's grandparents the other. Arthur took his husbands hand carefully in his own and bent and kissed his forehead. Looking up at Alice and Gaius he said "This is the third time in a year he's been in hospital, it's so unfair on him."
"Life often is Arthur, but he has you to help him through this." Alice gave him a small smile. "Anyone can have a car accident, it's not your fault, don't blame yourself."
They sat there waiting for Merlin to open his eyes. After awhile they noticed his eyes slowly opening, and he looked at them a slightly confused look on his face. He was still very dozy from the anaesthetic and painkillers. Arthur smiled at him and spoke softly:
"Hi there dozy head, lie still darling you're in hospital. You had an accident in your car do you remember?"
Merlin looked at Arthur then looked around as if to see where he was. He saw his grandparents sat the other side of him and then looked back at Arthur.
"You've been to theatre to have your arm sorted, don't worry you'll feel sleepy for awhile just rest." Arthur explained hoping Merlin would drift off to sleep again. He would need all the rest he could get for a time.
Merlin looked at Arthur and the other man could see the memories come back. Merlin looked at him and started to speak, Arthur had to get closer to hear what Merlin was saying: "No..cident…tried….to..ki..ll..me…" he muttered obviously finding it difficult to get the words out.
Arthur looked at Merlin shocked at what he heard.
"Are you sure love….you've just had an anaesthetic" he asked not wanting it to be true.
Merlin nodded and started to speak once more: "car hit me twice….in side…push..ed .. me off….roa..d" Arthur looked at Merlin in horror then looked up at Gaius.
"Oh my god! Not again" he looked back at Merlin "I'm so sorry my love. I….."
He was speechless unable to believe what he was hearing.
Gaius spoke to Arthur "Do you have the police number from the accident site, I think you should call them. We'll stay with Merlin. They need to know about this as soon as possible."
Arthur squeezed Merlin's hand "I won't be long love. Please rest" Alice moved to take Arthur's place and hold her grandson's hand.
"He won't be long Merlin, but he needs to tell the police." She told Merlin who was reluctant to see Arthur leave his side.
Arthur moved off into the corridor outside the ward and rand the number he had been given by the police. He eventually got through to the constable who had been at the accident site. He told him what Merlin had said and explained that twice in the last twelve months Merlin had been attacked. The Constable said he would report it and get someone down to speak to Merlin as soon as he could. He also said that they had begun to think another car had been involved due to skid marks at the accident site.
Within the hour there was a police detective at the bedside who interviewed a very sleepy Merlin. He only got the barest of details on this first visit as Merlin was too sleepy. But he did arrange with the hospital for Merlin to have a policeman at his side so as soon as he was able they could speak to him again, and it would also be as protection. The ward sister had Merlin moved into a side room for privacy due to the police presence. That way less people would realise and hopefully reduce gossip.
As Merlin became more awake he was clearly very scared about what had happened and was comforted to some degree by the police presence. They had all been asked not to give details to anyone until the investigation was complete. It soon became apparent that this had been a carefully planned operation. There had been no road works and the diversion had been there just to send Merlin down the side road. It also seemed his phone had been taped giving those responsible the information they needed to know when Merlin would be travelling to the town. They must have picked up on his order to the cake shop where Arthur's cake was being made and the time and day he was picking it up. It had been a well planned operation.
The police questioned all Merlin's friends and family and it was Gaius who gave them the most significant information. He told the police that in the sixties he when he had first met Uther the other man had been involved in some shady characters in the London underworld, including the Kray twins, and other gang leaders such as Aulfric and Hengist. That had been when Gaius had lent Uther the money to sort himself out and concentrate on his business. Gaius had felt Uther had potential for more and had wanted to help him. He had also known Ygraine, Uther wife and had wanted her to have a more settled life. Uther had always been ruthless and he suspected Uther as being involved in Merlin's present problems. As he told the police Cenred had implicated him before he had died.
This gave the police the leads they needed to start a new line of enquiry. Merlin's car had been recovered and the dents in the side showed where it had been hit. This may have gone unnoticed and put down as damage from the rolling without Merlin's story. The other car was traced and had been stolen the day before.
When Percy turned up to visit Merlin Arthur asked his help in ordering Merlin a new wheelchair, the old one had been damaged too much. Arthur wanted to be sure that all the extras they had purchased for helping Merlin look after the baby would still fit. Percy sorted it out for him and arranged for it to be delivered to the hospital so as soon as he could sit out Merlin could use it.
Gwen and Lance had visited several times and Gwen clearly blamed Arthur for all of Merlin's problems. She told him that without Arthur none of this would have happened. Their relationship had taken several steps backwards. This in turn upset Merlin who had a row with Gwen over it. Lance was trying to act as a peacemaker but was having no success.
It was Morgana that reminded the boys that their wedding anniversary was fast approaching and a week later they had a small celebration in hospital. But now Merlin was sitting out for an hour at a time, He was still very stiff and very limited in what he could do due to his broken arm but was progressing well. He was off the oxygen as his cheat bruising had settled enough to make breathing far less painful. He had also recovered for the urine infection he had picked up from passing the catheter in the car. Gwaine had managed to talk the nurses into allowing him to bring in Champaign for them to celebrate with. Alice had collected Arthur birthday cake, which being a rich fruit cake was still eatable, for them to eat. Morgana and Gwaine also decorated the room to add to the cheer.
The police meanwhile had progressed with their investigations. When Uther was questioned he denied all involvement and told them he was with his son the day the accident occurred. The detectives were now convinced that Uther had been behind both Merlin's problems and Cenred's 'suicide' in prison. Arthur and Morgana were both horrified at the thought; although they had suspected him they had no idea of his background. Both were clear they no longer wanted anything to do with him. When the police finally got the lead they needed Uther was arrested and charged with Murder and attempted Murder. They had also arrested the man who was driving the car that forced Merlin of the road. A well known member of the Hengist mod called Mordred. They had also charged a prisoner called Cedric with the murder of Cenred.
With everyone safely in custody Arthur was keen to get Merlin home as soon as possible; the baby was due in four weeks. He so wanted Merlin to be able to be involved from the start. They had, with Percy's help, found a young woman who was going to live in for awhile to help Merlin due to his broken arm. She had visited Merlin in hospital and they seemed to get on well her name was Isolde. Gaius and Alice were also looking forward to helping.