Merlin was glad to see the back of the snow, it had prevented him getting out much and he enjoyed the walks with Isolde although he got in trouble with Gwen a couple of times for muddy paw prints through the kitchen. Although she always told him off nicely he hated upsetting her. One day he had a scare when he fell asleep in the chair and woke up and Isolde wasn't anywhere to be found. Kay Gwaine hadn't noticed her going off.
They went outside and called her but there was no trace anywhere. Kay looked through the security camera footage and Isolde was seen going out the front drive. That put Merlin in a panic he was scared she would be run over. It was over an hour later that Gaius brought her back. He had seen her coming out of the footpath leading down to the woods. Merlin didn't know whether to tell her off or cuddle her so he did both.
When Arthur heard about the scare when he got back from London he ordered a fence and gates to be put across the front of the property and fences to separate the front from the back gardens. He hoped this would stop the little dog escaping again. He also booked her in to be neutered. Merlin had said he didn't want her have puppies and after doing some research discovered there was less risk of her developing breast cancer once neutered. As Isolde was coming up to six months old it was time to get it sorted. She would have her chip inserted in her neck at the same time. That way if she did run off Merlin had a better chance of getting her back.
When the morning came for Isolde to go to the vets for her surgery Merlin was in a mess. He was worried something would happen to her. His concerned state was upsetting the little dog and Arthur gave Merlin a stern talking to. They took the puppy to the surgery and Merlin held the dog as the she was put under fir her operation. The vet promised to phone as soon as the operation was over. Arthur took Merlin back home; he had stayed home on purpose that day just to be with Merlin.
When they got back Gwaine took Merlin to the pool to do his exercises. At least this time he didn't have to shut the dog out. The first time Merlin had been in the pool after getting his puppy she had jumped in the pool with them. It had taken Gwaine ages to get her out again. Arthur joined them in the pool after a while and the three of them had a race to see who the fastest swimmer was. Gwaine won of course but Merlin was surprisingly fast and was only marginally behind Arthur. Once they got out they went and used the gym together.
The plan worked and the two men had managed to stop Merlin fretting to much about Isolde. The vet rang up and informed Merlin that the operation had gone well and he could pick Isolde up in a couple of hours. As soon as the time was up Merlin had Arthur drive him to pick up his pet. Isolde was very sleepy but very pleased to see her master. Once home Merlin sat with her on the sofa for the rest of the afternoon. Arthur was made to go outside with her when she asked to go out. Merlin didn't want her to fall and hurt herself. It was only a couple of days before the pup was running around as if nothing had happened. Except for the patch were her fur was shaved off.
Spring soon arrived and the children grew into toddlers which was fun for all. Gwen was pregnant once more. Merlin and Gaius published their book with the profits going to a charity at Gaius insistence. Merlin used his contact from when he worked as Morgana's PA to get publicity for the book and it sold well. They were asked to do some interviews but Merlin declined. His name was on the book as editor as but he wasn't interested in any publicity. Gaius understood and did a couple of interviews for magazines. Then the local television station wanted to interview them both and became quite insistent.
Merlin kept saying no, he knew that once they found out who he was they would focus on his kidnap and he didn't what that. In the end Arthur became involved after someone at the local newspaper put two and two together and realised who the editor of the book was. They contacted Merlin direct and upset him over the phone. Arthur contacted them and threatened legal action if they continued to pressurise Merlin. But the identity of was now in the public domain.
It probably increased the sales of the book but Gaius felt guilty at bringing Merlin into the forefront once again. Several reporters arrived in the village trying to get an interview with Merlin once the national press go onto the story. Percy found himself out front quite a bit. His sheer size and presence dissuaded most of them. In the end Arthur wrote s short statement and distributed it and the fuss gradually died back down.
Having a dog appeared to be helping Merlin settling down more mentally and he was now only getting a few nightmares, mostly fairly mild. And hadn't had a panic attack in the day of since his the one with Gaius. He still had periods when he was down and referred to then as his black hole. Isolde was his best treatment at those times. Her behaviour changed to match his mood. She became more clinging to him and would sit on his lap for hours. The toddlers soon picked up on this and left their Uncle Merlin and Isolde alone during these spells.
Physically he had seemed to reach a plateau. He was stronger but still had days when his leg caused him pain and he would always limp. Merlin was getting used to using his hand in its new position and his grip was stronger although it would always be reduced. He continued to exercise with Gwaine on a daily basis.
Alator's office had finalised Merlin's compensation and he arrived one day with to tell Merlin a final settlement had been agreed. Merlin had left it to his lawyers and Arthur. He refused to get involved, saying he didn't want the money. Arthur told him he might need it one day and it was his by right. Merlin was surprised to find he had been awarded a six figure sum. Merlin banked it and said nothing.
After Gaius's book was published Merlin was approached by several other people to help them to write down their memories. At first he refused but then the county archive asked him to help with a new project they were starting up. It involved members of the public who were over seventy years of age. The archive would send out people to home and record the memories on a disc and collect copies of any documentation. They then wanted Merlin to go to through them and make a proper record. He could do it in his own time if he agreed. They had been impressed with his editing of Gaius's memories. He agreed but declined to get paid asking instead for a donation to local charities for the disabled. So he was once more sitting down and going through old records. Gaius often came to help him they had become good friends despite the age difference.