At the weekend Arthur and Merlin were sat out in the garden getting some late summer sun when Geraint came through from the bodyguard's office.

"Boss" he called out to Arthur. Arthur stood up and walked over to him. "You have a visitor, it's your father. I haven't let him in, as he's not expected. He's waiting outside" Geraint looked slightly embarrassed. But he knew that Mr Pendragon senior wasn't a normal visitor so was following procedures.

"Thank you Geraint, you did the right thing" Arthur turned toward Merlin. "Just going to sort something, I'll be back in a minute." He turned and followed Geraint toward the front of the bungalow.

"Hello Uther, I wasn't expecting you today." He kept his voice as neutral as he could.

"I didn't realise I needed an appointment to visit, Arthur. I was out this way and thought I'd drop in. I didn't expect to be left at the door like a common salesman." Uther sounded very unhappy at his treatment.

"Geraint was following procedures, if you had phoned first it wouldn't have happened. So this is just a family visit?" Arthur was puzzled why had his father called now.

"Yes, what else would it be? I haven't seen you for some time, now can I come in or are you going to keep me at the door?"

Arthur stood to one side. "We're in the garden making the most of the sun. Merlin hasn't been too well lately and he needs to be relaxed." This was said as a warning to his father.

"I understand I won't stop long. Will you be keeping the bodyguards much longer? I'd have thought you could have dispensed with them by now." Uther's tone was beginning to irritate Arthur.

"Not that's it's your business, but I have no intention of doing without them." With that Arthur walked toward the garden.

"Merlin, Uther's come to visit." Merlin looked round schooling his face to a polite smile.

"Hello Uther, nice to see you." It was far from what Merlin was thinking he knew his father in law hated him.

"Merlin." Uther nodded then turned to his son. "You've got a nice place here."

"We designed it together, to fit our needs, we were lucky to find such a perfect spot." Arthur grinned at Merlin making sure he was included in the conversation.

"Would you like a drink Uther?" Merlin asked determined to be polite.

"Tea would be nice" Uther's tone was still dismissive.

Merlin was in his wheelchair and started toward the bungalow to get Uther his tea.

"Where are you going Merlin? I'll get the tea in a minute." Arthur was getting annoyed.

"That's OK Arthur, it won't take me a minute, you talk to your dad." With that he continued indoors. When he got to the kitchen he made a cup of tea and putting a tray on his lap started to go back outside.

"What are you doing Merlin you'll spill that and burn yourself?" Hunith had walked through from her annex just as Merlin was leaving the kitchen.

"Uther's just turned up I was getting him a cup of tea Mum. Don't worry I put it on a tray."

"You still need to be careful, anyway it was good timing, I was just coming out" Hunith had seen Uther from the window and thought her son might want some support. She had met Uther a couple of times in the past and didn't like the man.

"Thank you." Uther took the tea from Hunith and sat down before commenting "I didn't realise you lived here as well Mrs Emrys."

"Yes, Arthur and Merlin kindly had an annex built for me. I'm not getting any younger, and it's so nice to be near the boys" Hunith smiled sweetly she had no intention of being intimidated by the old goat.

"That was kind of Arthur, hopefully he will be as kind to his father in the future." He turned to look at Arthur.

"I hardly think you would like our life style father. You are better off in London near Morgana." Arthur was horrified at the thought of his father moving near them let alone to the same house.

"Oh, don't worry I won't be moving close, what I meant was that we could keep in closer contact with each other." Uther had no intention of imposing on his son. He did think however that Merlin was taking advantage of his son and wanted to make that plain.

Hunith and Merlin knew exactly what he was up to. "Mum helps Arthur with me and he's like a son to her. We are not taking advantage you know." Merlin could still be sarcastic when he thought his mother was being slighted.

"I'm sure, but I hardly think your mother needs a second son." Uther was uncertain what Merlin was suggesting. "He has a parent."

"Oh but your wrong father, I do consider Hunith as close if not closer than a parent. I haven't had that good an experience with parents after all you did disown me." Arthur was beginning to regret letting his father in.

"Arthur! That's no way to speak to your father." Hunith exclaimed. "Now let's have less of this talk and be nice to each other."

Arthur walked across to Hunith and kissed her cheek. "You're right of course Hunith. Now father, I hear your thinking of giving up your seat in the next election. What do you intend to do with yourself?"

"I suppose Morgana told you? Well I'll spend time with my grandchild, and hopefully both of my children. I haven't spent enough time with my family and it's something I now regret. I feel I missed so much when you were both growing up." Uther sounded almost wistful.

"Well that will be nice" Arthur said sarcastically.

"I'm sure you will be welcome to visit, Uther." Merlin was trying to be the peacemaker he hated the fact that Arthur was at loggerheads with his father over him.

"Thank you Merlin" Uther sounded surprised by the fact the Merlin seemed to accept the idea of him visiting.

Uther stayed for a further half an hour before excusing himself. "Sorry I have to go, but I have an appointment back in London. It's been a pleasure to speak to you all." He walked back toward the house. Arthur followed and as they reached the front door Arthur looked his father in the eye:

"Father if you intend to visit again please call first to make sure I'm in. I don't want Merlin put under any stress. And if you're serious about having more contact you need to accept him fully, or else you're not welcome. And don't infer Hunith is in anyway imposing herself. I asked her to move here not the other way round."

"Son, I know we haven't had the best of relationships but I do want to keep in contact."

"It was you that disowned me not the other way round, remember?" Arthur said bitterly.

"I know and I regret it, I understand now I should have accepted Merlin into your life but I can't change the past. Please son, give me this chance." Uther sounded genuine.

"I will but if you dare insult Merlin or Hunith it's the last chance you'll have. Goodbye father." With that Arthur closed the door and walked back to the garden.

Once things had settled back down, after Uther's visit, Arthur decided to light the barbeque. Merlin went in with Hunith to get some salad ready and get some fish and chicken. Both Gerent and Kay were asked to join them and Kay went across and asked Gaius and Alice to come over. It was quite late before they all turned in for the night. Gerent and Kay where replaced by Percy and Pallinor at nine o'clock, as their shifts changed.

Sunday morning was spent tidying up the garden and putting things away. Hunith cooked the roast to give the other girls a break and they spent the rest of the day relaxing in the garden.

On Monday Arthur had to go to London and caught the train with Lance. They wouldn't be back till early evening. So after doing his hydrotherapy and gym with Gwaine, Merlin decided he would look through the work he had already done with Gaius. He thought what they had already done was the start of a good book. Gaius had so many old photos of the area to go with his memories. Merlin rang a few people he knew from his PA days, and discussed the possibility of getting something published properly. He decided not to mention it to Gaius in case it came to nothing.

By the time Arthur had got home Merlin had already got quite a bit done. He was tired but had enjoyed himself. They had supper together but then deciding to have an early night Merlin was in bed. Gwaine talked Arthur into going to the local village pub for a drink. They didn't get back until closing time. It was the first time that Arthur had gone out without Merlin and Gwaine hadn't been out much due to Mithian's pregnancy, and then the baby. They enjoyed themselves and decided to make it a regular thing. Merlin thought it a great idea. He hated Arthur staying in all the time, just because he didn't want to go out so he encouraged the plan.

Merlin was also please that this mother was making friends in the village she had joined the Woman's Institute and the Gardening Club. In fact she was trying to talk Merlin into having the garden opened to the public for the village carnival week next year. In the end he agreed, but he intended to stay indoors that day. His mother knew what he had planned but was hoping to change his mind. She had also made a new best friend in Alice, who visited her whenever Gaius came to see Merlin.

Gaius and Alice had been giving Merlin's situation some thought, and Gaius had suggested to Arthur that they get Merlin a dog. He knew someone who had some Jack Russell puppies for sale. Gaius thought a dog would be good company for the boy. Something he could tell his problems to. Yes it would need walks but that would make Merlin go out more, and people always talked to someone with a dog. So he would be made to socialise more. A small dog need not be too much of a nuisance. Something thing like a Jack Russell was longer lived than many pedigree dogs so would be with Merlin longer. Arthur said he would give it some thought.

Gaius and Merlin had become great friends and Merlin often told Gaius things he would tell no one else. It didn't stop his nightmares but he hadn't had a daytime panic attack since the first one with Gaius. The nightmares were also less severe and Arthur was also happier because of it.

Arthur spoke to Dr Kilgarrah after he paid his next visit to Merlin. The psychiatrist was pleased with Merlin's progress and felt he would soon be able to stop his regular visits. Although he still intended see Merlin every six months and more often if needed. He felt that the contact with Gaius was helping and praised Arthur for thinking of it. Arthur asked the doctor about a dog and was told it was a good idea if Merlin liked animals. He suggested a smaller dog as a larger animal might knock Merlin over if it got over enthusiastic.

Arthur had never given a thought about a pet for Merlin. Although, before the disruption to their lives, the pair had discussed having a dog after they adopted children. Arthur wasn't sure if he really wanted a dog, but perhaps this wasn't about him. Arthur had come to accept they wouldn't adopt. Merlin just wasn't well enough to look after a child, and when they had considered adoption it was always going to be Merlin who would stay at home to care for it. Also if he was honest, Arthur didn't know he would be able to cope with the thought that a child would be at risk, just as Merlin had been. No, children were defiantly out of any future plans. But perhaps a puppy might be a good idea.

Working with Gaius was giving Merlin a new lease of life. Between them they had recorded such a lot of the area's history that Merlin decided they defiantly had enough for a book, and mentioned it to Gaius. Who was thrilled with the idea. They kept it to themselves hoping to surprise everyone.

They weren't the only ones with a surprise in mind. Arthur went to see the puppies Gaius had suggested. They were on a local farm and were a litter born to the farm pets. There was only one left, the others had been all spoken for. Arthur saw the two parent dogs and they were very friendly. The remaining animal was a beautiful female puppy. It was white with black markings to the face and one large black mark to one side. Its eyebrows were brown markings with another small brown patch on its cheek. As soon as Arthur arrived at the shed it had run up to him to be picked up.

"Just as well you're not spoken for. With a greeting like that you've got to be Merlin's." Arthur laughed. The puppies were tiny and would not be ready for another two weeks.

Arthur asked the farmer's wife for a list of all the things he would need for the puppy. He explained they had never owned a dog before and she told him they could always contact her if they needed to know anything. Arthur said he would be back in two weeks to collect the puppy. By then it would be fully weaned and had its first injection. He was given a recommendation for a vet.

The colder darker days were making Merlin get more moody as he became stuck indoors more. He did spend quite a bit of time with Will and Penny playing on a big play mat in the lounge. The bodyguards got drawn into the fun sometimes as the little ones began to move about more. Merlin often had trouble keeping them where he wanted them; especially if their mothers were busy with the housework. He had become unofficial baby sitter; this however did depend on whether he felt able to cope with them. Sometimes he just couldn't cope with them.

Merlin still got very withdrawn and go into what he called 'his dark pit' and would spend day's just starring out of the window or even sometimes staying in bed most of the day. Arthur normally felt the brunt of Merlin's moods, as the young man seemed to get very short tempered with his husband when he was finding life difficult.

Merlin had been upset for the past few days, it had been raining all week on top of that Arthur had been in London for a big trial. Gaius hadn't been round as he had a bad cold, and didn't want Merlin to catch. So the young man had been alone quite a bit of the time. Although Hunith had sent more time with him, he was still short tempered.

The two weeks soon passed and Arthur went to the farm one Saturday morning to collect the puppy. The boot of his car was full of all the things the puppy could possibly want. The pet shop had added several other things to the list the farmer's wife had given him. He had also contacted the vet and arranged for the rest of the puppies injections and register her with them.

He had bought a travelling cage so he could take the puppy home safely. Arthur was a bit worried; he had wanted to give Merlin a surprise but was now wondering if he should have asked Merlin if he wanted a dog. As soon as he saw the puppy again his doubts vanished. The little bundle ran up to him wagging its tail so hard the rest of her body moved from side to side.

"Oh Merlin is going to love you." He paid for the puppy and told the family they could visit the pup if they wanted to. Driving home he began to get anxious once more. What had he done? He pulled up into the drive and got out taking the puppy from its cage and tucked it carefully under his coat. As he walked towards the front door Gwaine called out.

"Morning Arthur, out early today?" Arthur turned and as he did so the puppy's head popped out of his coat.

"You've got a puppy! It's cute. Does Merlin know?" Gwaine asked as he came forward.

"No it's a surprise, you weren't supposed to know either." Arthur was cross he had wanted Merlin to be the first see the addition to their family.

"He'll love it; I'll come across in a bit and see him." Gwaine had no intention of spoiling the couple's moment.

"Thanks Gwaine, I just hope he likes her, I should have asked Merlin first but I wanted to surprise him." Arthur was having doubts again. "If I give you my car keys can you bring the things in, out of the boot when you come?"

"Sure thing, see you in a bit." Gwaine went in to tell Mithian.

Arthur went into the bungalow and straight into the lounge.

"Hi Merlin I'm back."

"Where had you been? I've been looking for you." Merlin was sitting in one of the armchairs looking out of the window at the bird table.

"Oh I went to pick up something; I've got a present for you." Arthur made sure the puppies head was inside his jacket. Walking to where his husband was sitting, he carefully knelt down in front of him. "I hope you like it."

Arthur opened his jacket so Merlin could see the puppy for the first time. It was well worth it Merlin's face split into the largest smile Arthur could remember. It looked like his face would split in two.

"Ohhhhhhh give it to me….it's beautiful…is it mine?" There were tears in Merlin's eyes.

"No it's not idiot, I've just borrowed it! Of course she's for you!" Arthur carefully handed over the wriggling puppy.

Merlin took the puppy that immediately started to lick Merlin and wag its whole body in excitement.

"Oh thank you, what's her name?"

"She hasn't got one; you'll have to think of a name. I take it you want to keep her?" Arthur teased.

"Oh yes she's beautiful. Oh what can I call her?"

The couple spent the next few minutes thinking of names. All the time Merlin was stroking his new friend. Then Gwaine walked in carrying several bags.

"How much did you buy Arthur?" He put the bags down. "There's still more left. I'll go and get them in a minute, but let's look at the little fellow first." He bent down by the side of Arthur.

"He's cute" Gwaine said his eyes twinkling.

"It's a girl! And she's beautiful. Did you know about this?" Merlin demanded.

"No I saw her as Arthur got her out of the car. I take it you're happy?"

"I think she's wonderful, but I have to think of a name."

"Well at least we had seven months to think of a name for William." Gwaine laughed, "Best of luck with that."

With all the noise Gwen and Hunith came though from the kitchen. There were lots more ahhhhs and cooings from the two women. Merlin refused to let the puppy be passed round, as she had settled down on his lap as if she belonged there. So the two women started to open the bags, Gwaine went out and brought the rest in. Kay had told Percy and they both said hello to the newest member of the family.

Gwen went to find a cupboard to keep all the food and supplies in. While Hunith took the labels of all the toys and found a place for one of the dog beds by Merlin's chair.

"I think you bought far too much, it's a good job you've plenty of space." Hunith teased Arthur.

It was several hours before Merlin settled on a name for his puppy.

"I'm calling her Isolde."

"Where did you get that name from?" Arthur asked.

"I just like it and it suits her."

"Ok Isolde it is, although you might have thought of an easier name to call out when she runs off" grinned Arthur.

The rest of the day was spent playing with Isolde and when she was asleep they sorted out where the young puppy was going to sleep at night. Merlin wanted her in their bedroom. Arthur refused and suggested the kitchen. Merlin said she would be scared and lonely. In the end it was Kay who came up with the best idea. Aithusa would spend her nights in the office with the bodyguards. That way they could let her out when she wanted to do her business. All Arthur's worries about having a pet were proved fruitless and he didn't know why he hadn't thought of it before. He owed Gaius so much. But from everyone's reaction he wondered how many more puppies would be joining their extended family

Later in the evening Merlin settled Isolde into her night time bed, he was upset when she didn't want to be separated from him. Arthur took Merlin to their room, where Merlin said thank you in private. The couple cuddled and kissed Merlin for the first time in ages suggested Arthur try to make love to him. After a bit of careful thought they managed to position Merlin so his leg was comfortable and they were face to face. For the first time in nearly five years they made love with Arthur penetrating Merlin instead of the other way round. This made a great day even better. Now they would be able to be fully intimate once more. Although they had enjoyed their previous love life Merlin knew that Arthur much preferred being in control. Once Merlin found he could enjoy sex once more they never looked back.

The next morning Arthur went and made them both a cup of tea and they drank it in bed, then the couple had a shower together. They got dressed the walked together to the lounge and Arthur went to collect Isolde from her new night time spot. Merlin holding on to Arthurs arm to support. When Isolde saw Merlin she went wild once more, it was clear the two would be firm friends. The rest of the day they spent just enjoying each other's company and getting to know Isolde.