Merlin's life remained in the balance for sometime giving everyone cause of concern, but as time went on they all gradually began to let themselves hope. Slowly he began to improve as the antibiotics and the feeding regime continued. He took a turn for the worse again in the 2nd week when he went into full renal failure but this was spotted early and treated with dialysis. He also developed Pneumonia, the doctors explained that although this was regrettable it had been expected due to his condition and more antibiotics were prescribed.
It was 6 weeks before he was considered well enough to transfer to London, and still even then his condition was serious. For the whole six weeks Merlin always had one his family by his side. He was to be transferred back to London still ventilated and sedated. The plan was once he had been safely transferred the sedation would be gradually reduced so he would start breathing for himself and once he was more aware to take him of the ventilator. It was explained that his might be quite a long process.
Arthur continued to blame himself. The staff had tried to get him to see a Clinical Psychologist to help him talk though things but he refused. Hunith seemed to be holding up better but she knew that Merlin would need Arthur once he was awake and tried to get him to accept help. She hoped he would change his mind once they were back in London.
Gwaine did agree to speak to someone he was having a great deal of trouble sleeping and had started to have nightmares. He had several sessions and found it had helped. He was now better able to cope. He had started to go out for a run every day and found that also helped with his sleeping.
Arthur spoke at length on several occasions with the doctors and nurses and had been told that even once Merlin was off the ventilator, his badly fused fractures would have to wait for several months before they could be broken and reset. He would also need some skin grafts at a later stage to heal some of the wounds and sores. There was also talk of some plastic surgery to sort out some of the scaring from the badly stitched areas. So he realised it was going to take a long time to get Merlin home.
What worried Arthur the most was how Merlin would cope mentally with what he had been put though, and that was a totally unknown quantity and would remain so until Merlin was awake once more. But Arthur and the others could at least take comfort that he was off of the critical list, even if still seriously ill.
The day of transfer had arrived and Merlin was loaded into the ambulance. Much as Arthur wanted travel in the ambulance himself he knew he couldn't, a nurse and doctor needed to travel with him and there just wasn't room. So he contented himself with kissing Merlin's forehead before the ambulance door shut.
Hunith stood by and watched with a slight smile on her face. She was pleased that her son had managed to find such a caring partner. If only she could convince him that this whole thing had not been his fault and to accept some help, she hoped Morgana would help him see sense once they were back in London.
They watched the ambulance pull away with its police escort before getting in Arthurs car and following behind. Gwaine was already sitting in the back seat having decided to keep out of the way when Merlin was being put inside the ambulance.
Gwaine was worried what would happen when they woke Merlin up. He had obviously suffered badly in the nearly two years he had been a captive. How would that have affected him? Gwaine might appear to be superficial but that was a mistake, he might have a care free life style but he was a very caring man and fiercely protective of those he loved and Merlin was the nearest thing he had to a family. He would do anything for him and wished he could take some of the pain for his Merlin.
Gwaine had seen firsthand how the people in the sex slave trade had been affected once they were freed and it made him fear for his best friend. He would make sure he was there for him come what may. He knew that Merlin's recovery was going to be long and hard fight. Gwaine would never leave Merlin alone.
The three of them chatted on the journey but all of their thoughts were focused on the ambulance a few cars ahead of them. As they turned into London the traffic got heavier and they were soon separated from the ambulance and its police escort. But Arthur knew the way to Guys Hospital where Merlin had a bed.
Once there he pulled into the first parking space he could find and they quickly made their way up to the Intensive Care Unit. Guys was close to both his work and penthouse so would be ideal, as well as offering all the departments that Merlin needed for his recovery having close links to St Thomas's should Merlin need psychiatric input at a later stage.
They soon found themselves outside ITU and pressed the bell to be let in. Merlin had already been settled into his bed in one of the side wards as the ambulance had made better progress through the traffic than they had. They went though the visiting times to find that all their friends could now visit, provided they spread themselves out and didn't all come on the same day. They would also need to check that no treatments where due before setting out although Arthur, Hunith and Gwaine had more leeway.
Arthur left a list of visitors for the police as only those on the list or accompanied by Arthur or Hunith would be allowed into the room. They were given a code word to give to the approved visitors. Security was still high in the circumstances. The police were hoping to get a statement as soon as Merlin was well enough.
Only then could they find out who else was involved. So far Cendred and Valiant were refusing to say anything, although their fingerprints were found on the bowls and door handles in the room Merlin had been found in.
Arthur would be going home at nights now. Although he was reluctant, but the Nurses promised they would call if Merlin's condition changed during the night. Hunith would stay in the penthouse with Arthur rather than return to Wales. Once Merlin was awake she would go back for a short visit to check on her house and affairs.
A couple of days after they had arrived back in London the sedation was decreased. Two days later Merlin opened his eyes for the first time and looked up into Arthur's face, he looked puzzled but slowly began to take note of his surroundings. Arthur kept talking to him explaining where he was and that he was safe. Merlin tried to cough out the ventilation tube but soon settled once he got used to it. He was very tired and only stayed awake for short periods, but it was progress. He still couldn't talk due to the ventilation tube but they used a picture board to communicate.
Merlin got agitated at times, but as long as one of them was with him he soon settled. He got used to the nurses and the Sisters ensure that now he was aware he only had female staff looking after him, due the sexual abuse he had suffered.
Arthur felt a bit better now he could look into Merlin's eyes. Those large cerulean eyes were what had first attracted him to his husband, they were still duller than normal but Arthur assumed that was because of all the painkillers he was on. The infection in them had cleared up and no lasting damage had been caused by it, as far as they could tell.
Morgana and Gwen were the first of his friends to see him awake, and they both cried. This confused Merlin and Hunith had to calm him down. The girls felt guilty and warned the others to avoid upsetting Merlin. The nurses had to be very careful, when changing his position, not to touch his back without warming him, as this made him very anxious.
The first time they had done so after he was awake he had a major panic attack, thinking he was going to be raped again. He was so anxious that when he had his back washed they gave him a mild sedative to help him get through it. They also soon remembered his left sided deafness. It helped that them remember as all of this major injuries were down his left side.
His condition gradually improved until the day came when it was decided to take him of the ventilator completely. Arthur arranged to be there and although he had to stand back and keep out the way for a while, he got to Merlin's side as soon as he could. Merlin tried to speak but his throat was sore and only a croak came out but he did manage a small smile for the first time and Arthurs heart sang. He hadn't realised just how much he missed that smile he couldn't wait to see Merlin's full face light up once more in the way only his smile could make it.
It felt like a major mile stone had been achieved.
Merlin became very agitated when he saw Hunith for the first time and explained to them that he had been told by his captors that she was dead. This caused Hunith a great deal of distress. Merlin was so pleased to see her alive he cried and needed a sedative to settle and didn't want her to go out of his sight.
Arthur had started to go into work once more in the mornings. He had been encouraged to do so by the hospital. He accepted that he needed to try to get some normality back in his life. It had been difficult at first as he had to deal with all the enquiries from the staff. They were obviously concerned. But after a couple of days he started to get back into the swing of things.
Lance was very good at deflecting people and with Leon made sure Arthur was supported. Lance also made sure Arthur ate some lunch before setting out for the hospital in the afternoon. It was obvious from the fit of Arthur's suits that he had lost quite a bit of weight. Lance also realised that his boss wasn't sleeping well as the blond had bags under his eyes. There wasn't much Lance could do about that but he hoped that as Merlin improved Arthur would begin to settle.
Merlin still needed the feeding tube and the intravenous fluids but at least he was less attached to machines now. When he had arrived at Guys the doctors decided, that as Merlin would need the extra feed long term, the tube could be replaced by one that entered directly through his abdomen so his face was now free of all the tubing.
Merlin still needed oxygen sometimes, particularly at night but Arthur could at least give Merlin a kiss. The doctors explained that his severe weight loss had resulted in muscle wastage in his chest; this in turn made it difficult for Merlin to breathe deeply. This would improve in time but he might continue to need oxygen on occasion. A full assessment would be undertaken once he had started to gain weight once more.
Then the thing that Arthur had been dreading happened. Merlin asked why Will hadn't been to see him. Arthur had already asked the doctors if he should tell Merlin the bad news and they had told him that it would be best to tell the truth if Merlin asked. Although they felt it might be best not to mention that his friend had died on Merlin's birthday if it could be avoided.
Arthur looked at Merlin, squared his shoulders and told him as gently as he could. Merlin was devastated and turned his head away from Arthur and refused to talk for the rest of the day. He also refused all visitors and told Arthur to leave. Arthur felt like he had been kicked in the gut.
But by the next day Merlin was talking once more and although he was obviously still upset he didn't mention Will again.
The Police contacted Arthur at his office, out of curtsey, to inform him that the Consultants felt Merlin was well enough for them to interview him for the first time that afternoon. It would be a brief interview to try to get Merlin to identify those involved so arrest warrants could taken out.
Arthur was very apprehensive as to the effect this would have on Merlin's mental state but understood legally it needed to be done to progress further.
He told Lance that he would be finishing by twelve, so he could be there. He couldn't be at the interview but wanted to be able to help Merlin afterwards.
The police knew the farmhouse belonged to Morgause Ailed, the wife of the man the courts had imprisoned just before Merlin's disappearance, but couldn't find evidence to link her to the kidnap that would hold up in court. They also suspected Edwin, he was a known associate of Morgause, who had some medical knowledge and they were hoping at the very least to be able to confirm these two names.
Oswain and Kay arrived just before Arthur and assured him that they would take the utmost care with the interview. The Clinical Psychologist Aithusa Vaughan had arranged to see Merlin later that day, and Dr Kilgarrah the Consultant Psychiatrist who would be looking after Merlin, would be available if needed.
Merlin was only told just before the interview was to take place to help reduce the time he had to get agitated. The two police officers kept to their promise and kept their questioning to a minimum. Merlin was able to confirm that four people had been involved and gave the police their Christian names he had never heard their last names. He was also able to pick out all four from photographs.
The whole process had only taken under an hour but to Arthur waiting in the rest room it seemed forever. He knew he was becoming ultra protective of Merlin, but knew he could be no other way until his husband had fully recovered. He rather suspected he would never stop trying to protect the young man, he hated letting Merlin out of his sight even for short periods. He felt the need to be in control at all times and found it difficult that others could help Merlin more than he could.
The worried man had also set up a ten man team of body guards for when police protection was withdrawn; this would allow twenty four hour protection by two men at all times. He had decided not to use any of the agencies but was setting up his own team so Merlin would always have the same people around him. He had interviewed them all personally, not willing to give any control to anyone else.
Once the police interview was completed the two detectives had a quick word with Arthur telling him arrest warrants could now be issued. Merlin would need to be interviewed again but for know they had all they needed. They promised to get back to him once the arrests were made.
Arthur then rushed to Merlin's side and to his relief he found Merlin far better than he had expected. A nurse arrived to give her patient a mild sedative and he soon fell asleep. The process had exhausted him.
That night despite further sedatives being given Arthur had been called into the hospital in the early hours, Merlin had a major panic attack and even once he had been calmed down he wouldn't settle until he had seen Arthur. The worried man had stayed at Merlin's side until the morning when Hunith arrived to take his place.
The next few days saw a great improvement in Merlin and he was moved from the intensive care unit to High Dependency Unit next door. They had all been sad to leave the staff as they had developed friendships with several of them had a high regard for their abilities.
Merlin still had a side room which was good as he found it difficult to cope with people he didn't know so the change was difficult for him. He became worried when he had new nurse he didn't know and had started to have nightmares more regularly. The Clinical Psychologist Aithusa continued to visit twice a week. Merlin refused to say much but seemed to like seeing her, so she persevered.
Arthur continued working half days and visiting every afternoon and staying all evening. The return to some sort of routine was helping him and he was sleeping and eating better. Gwaine visited every day and the others spaced their visits so not to overwhelm him. Hunith had gone home for a short visit but planned to come back soon.
Arthur had a surprise one day when he arrived to find Merlin sat out in a chair when he went into his room. It had been a big effort for Merlin even with two physio's helping so he only stayed out for his lunch and waited until Arthur had seen him. As soon as Arthur had sat with him for a few minutes Merlin was helped back into bed but not before Arthur took a photo on his mobile to show the others.
Merlin was now eating and drinking small amounts as well as having his feed supplement. His visitors would bring Merlin and the nurses all sorts of treats. Gwen was a favourite with her cakes. Arthur arranged for a small fridge to be delivered which was kept in Merlin's room to keep all his little luxuries in. This saved his visitors going to the ward Kitchen when the young man wanted something.
Merlin's weight was still giving cause for concern but he was gradually gaining weight, and he was being encouraged to eat little and often. The tube feed filled him so he had little appetite but did his best. They soon found he hated to eat anything that was of a sauce or gravy base like stews as it reminded him of the food he had been forced to eat during his period of captivity. The loss of quite a few teeth caused him some problems but until he gained more weight it had been decided not to fit dentures as his month would change shape and was still sore.
He had days when his mood was low that he refused to eat anything. This had caused Arthur to get frustrated and one day he shouted at Merlin. When Merlin cowered away from him Arthur felt so guilty he didn't know what to do. The nurses sent him off to have a break and when he came back one of Merlin's regular nurses managed to convince Arthur to also see the Clinical Psychologist. After a few visits he agreed it was helping him and he continued to see Aithusa on a regular basis.
Merlin was also frustrated at only having his right hand and leg that worked and due to muscle wasting they were weak. Merlin also found the pain he was getting from his unhealed sores and badly fused bones depressing. He was also suffering with general bone pain. A bone scan was organised which led to a diagnosis of Osteoporosis due the period of starvation and having been kept indoors for so long, without sunlight his body has not been able to absorb vitamin D. Merlin was prescribed calcium supplements with extra vitamin D. Arthur felt the bad news was never going to come to an end.