The next day was Saturday and Morgana and her family arrived for the weekend as usual. Morgana was upset to see Merlin low in mood once again. She knew Arthur found it difficult when Merlin was so low so she sent Leon to try to cheer him up. Morgana went to the kitchen to help Freya with the food; they were going to have a barbeque. Normally Merlin would help but he wasn't interested, so Kay and Geraint took him out to walk Isolde. As the two girls were getting the last few bits and pieces ready, Arthur and Leon started up the barbeque. Gwaine's family and Percy had arrived as they were all coming to the barbeque, when Morgana told Gwaine she had seen Agravaine going to the annex Gwaine took his chance and went to speak to Arthur.

Gwaine told Arthur what Merlin had said, and that Agravaine made Merlin nervous, he also told his boss that Merlin disliked the fact that Agravaine was seeing his mother. Gwaine pointed out that Merlin's mood had got worse in the time his Uncle had been staying and suggested that Agravaine might be best staying elsewhere and seeing Arthur in London.

Arthur took it all on board and agreed with Gwaine and thanked him for talking to him. He said he would speak to Merlin, and if necessary get his uncle to leave after the weekend. Arthur didn't have the chance that day and by the next day things took a turn for the worse.

They were all about to have their evening meal. Hunith and Morgana were just finishing dishing up and Arthur fed Isolde while they were waiting. Isolde liked to eat at the same time as them. Arthur put the bowl down and the small dog started to eat. As usual she took some of her food out of the bowl and put it on and ate it of the floor. Agravaine spotted this and once more tried to interfere:

"That dog is disgusting it should eat outside, eating off the kitchen floor it's so unhygienic!" he said in disgust.

Merlin who had until then been very quiet suddenly stood up. "What do you know? Have you ever eaten of the floor! I have! Does that mean I'm disgusting?" With that he picked the small dog up and fled from the room. The rest of them looked at each other before Arthur followed after Merlin.

Morgana turned to Agravaine "You can't keep your mouth shut can you!" with that she followed her brother.

Agravaine looked at Hunith and shook his head "What did I say now! It's not right that animal eating with us!"

Hunith looked at him "You need to think before you comment, this isn't your home." She didn't trust herself to say anymore, but started to put the food in to keep warm and then picked up Miranda from her highchair. Agravaine left the kitchen and went into the lounge to wait.

Arthur found Merlin in the bedroom. He younger man was sitting on the bed cuddling his dog.

"Merlin, are you ok?" he asked quietly as he sat down beside Merlin.

Merlin looked at his husband and in a very quiet voice started to speak: "He doesn't know what it's like to eat of the floor I do, I had to eat out of dog bowls and if I spilt any I used to eat of the floor. I was so hungry, bits of grit and dirt." Merlin was staring into space. "Once I was licking the floor and he came up behind me….I didn't hear him, he had the bar in his hand and he hit me calling me an animal…I fell and hit my face on the floor, he just laughed and hit me again and again." A distressed Merlin was clearly remembering the scene.

Arthur caught his breath and put his arm around Merlin's shoulders, tears running down his face. "Merlin I'm sorry, he had no right to say anything."

Merlin looked at Arthur as if seeing him there for the first time. "It's not your fault Arthur, but I can't get things out of my mind, I'm mad aren't I?" he looked into Arthurs face.

"No you're not mad love." He pulled the young man into his chest and ran his hand through Merlin's hair "You're not mad never think that."

Leon and Morgana were outside the door and had heard what Merlin had said. Morgana was crying "Oh my god! Poor Merlin."

"I don't think we'll ever know all he went through, and I for one don't think I want to know." Leon said to her. He pulled he into his arms "Come on darling, let's leave them alone" they walked back to the kitchen.

As they walked down the corridor they saw Agravaine go in the lounge. Leon felt Morgana tense up. "What's the matter?" he asked.

"That bastards what's the matter." She was seething.

"Morgana leave it to Arthur, please. Let's go and find Hunith and Miranda."

In the bedroom the two men stayed cuddled together, until Merlin settled once more. Then Arthur left Merlin lying on the bed with Isolde, and went back to find his uncle. Agravaine saw Arthur walk past and called out:

"I'm sorry Arthur, has Merlin settled down?" Arthur thought he didn't really sound that sorry.

"He's asleep, while he is I want you to leave." Arthur's uncle looked shocked.

"Leave? You mean leave the bungalow, but we've hardly had time to get to know each other" he protested.

"Since you've been here you have done nothing but upset Merlin. I've told you before Merlin is the most important thing in the world to me, so I want you to leave." Arthur was determined. "I'll give you half an hour to pack your things." Arthur turned and started to go back to the kitchen.

"Arthur! You can't mean that, we're family!"

Arthur turned "Yes I do mean it, I've done without you for twenty years, just go. Geraint will make sure you're gone once the half hour is up."

Geraint heard what was said and nodded. Geraint thought that at least Gwaine would be happier. But he couldn't help but wish Gwaine or Percy had been on duty, he knew that Arthur's uncle would have had a few bruises, at the very least, if they had been.

Arthur went to the kitchen and they all sat down to eat their meal, although no one was hungry. Arthur filled in Hunith, leaving out some of what Merlin has said. After they had finished Morgana and her family left to go home, promising to phone in the morning. Hunith loaded the dishwasher and Arthur went to check on Merlin.

Agravaine realising his nephew meant what he said went and packed. Before he left he put a note in Arthur's office.

'Dear Arthur,

I realise you are under a lot of pressure at the moment. I have left my mobile number. Please contact me when you have had time to calm down and realise that this action was unnecessary. Remember family is important and don't just throw away the chance we have to get to know one another. We owe it to your mother's memory. I don't see this as an end but I beginning of our new relationship. What I have said to you over the past few days was meant to help both you and Merlin.

Yours loving Uncle,

Agravaine de Bois.

It took a further week for Merlin to come out of his shell, but when he did Arthur took several days off to spend time with Merlin, they just enjoyed being together. Gaius came over once again and they two men started on their archive work, this helped get Merlin back into his normal routine. As Merlin recovered Arthur asked Merlin about his uncle's actions. Merlin told Arthur that Agravaine had made him feel even more inadequate and useless. But Merlin being the person he was said he understood if Arthur wanted to keep in touch with his Uncle, after all he was family.

Hunith later told Arthur and Merlin that she had gone out with Agravaine to give the two men chance to have time together, she hadn't realised that by doing so she had upset Merlin. Although Agravaine had gone Merlin couldn't help but think he would be back.