Gwaine started the swimming and gym with Merlin, exercise was supposed to lift the mood after all. He often had a problem convincing Merlin but most days they managed it. Getting outside for walks with Isolde was easier. Merlin loved his dog and would do anything for her. Gradually Merlin started to recover once more but was about a couple of months after coming home from the clinic before Merlin really showed any real sign of enjoying life once more.
Arthur contacted Leon and got him to have a restraining order put on Uther to prevent him going anywhere near Merlin. This also had the effect of shaming Uther publicly once it had became common knowledge. It was just as well he had stepped down as an M.P.
Christmas was once again approaching at least this time Merlin would not have to put up with Uther. With the children more mobile the house was fun of noise and laughter. Isolde was worn out by teatime after running up and down the corridor with the children chasing her and she was now curled up on Merlin's lap. Gwaine's dining table had been brought over to place next to Arthur's so they all had room to sit. Merlin had William and Penny sat next to him and Miranda was sat next to Arthur. Isolde was sitting underneath the table eating all the bits of food the children dropped. William was trying to get rid of his sprouts that way; unfortunately Isolde didn't like sprouts either.
When the children had gone to bed and some of the others had gone home Merlin and Arthur were pleased for the peace and quiet only Morgana and Leon remained at the bungalow with them. Merlin told Arthur he wanted a lie in the next morning but Arthur reminded him that Isolde would miss her Boxing morning walk if he did. This had become another yearly tradition. Arthur and Merlin along with two bodyguards and the children took Isolde for a walk boxing morning so the rest could have a lie in.
"Don't worry Merlin, we'll take the dog and children out tomorrow and give you a rest." Morgana smiled at the tired man.
"Hey! Don't I get a say?" Leon had just realised he had been volunteered.
"Doesn't look like it Leon, guess it's your turn! Do you good, you're normally stuck in your office all day." Arthur laughed.
"And whose fault is that. You didn't mention all the extra paperwork when you handed over." Leon grinned. He was surprised when Arthur gave him control of the office and was very grateful to him.
"It will help you keep your wife in the lifestyle she wants so just be happy."
The four of them giggled and chatted until eleven o'clock and then all turned in for the night.
After the holiday period was over Leon had some disturbing news to tell Arthur. He had been in contact with the police, who had been keeping an eye on Alined since his parole. In the past few months he had started to establish a new set of associates within the fringes of the London crime scene. None had convictions so no breach of parole had occurred. But this had meant the police were interested in him once more. But what was of more interest was that one of these acquaintances was none other than Agravaine de Bois. After further checks it seemed that Agravaine had visited Alined in prison on several occasions. Once before he had made contact with Arthur, and again three times after he had left the bungalow.
It seemed after making some enquiries with the Australians the police found out that Agravaine had been suspected of being heavily involved in the drug syndicates in Sidney. The group had links with the London drug scene. But he had left the country before any proof was obtained. As he had dual nationality it had not been a problem for Agravaine to come back to England.
Arthur was surprised, he had occasionally still occasionally heard from his uncle but he had never allowed the man to get close to Merlin again. Even though once he had calmed down, he had put the incident with Merlin down to the man's arrogant manner and thoughtlessness, rather than deliberate intent. After all several well meaning people in the past had inadvertently triggered panic attacks in Merlin. Arthur had just thought it best to keep him away from the bungalow, he knew Merlin didn't like him and that Gwaine and Percy also held strong opinions. But now it looked like Merlin and Isolde had been right not to trust him.
It was Gwaine that pointed out Agravaine could have given to details of the bungalows layout to the intruders, so Alined might well have been behind the break in. That gave all of them the creeps to think that a family member could have done such a thing. Unfortunately nothing could be proved.
The police continued to keep a close eye on the group and Arthur kept any contact to a minimum. He had wanted to stop all contact, but the police suggested that might just make it harder to spot if anything was being planned.
Leon kept in touch with his contact in the police and soon came up with better news for Arthur. Both Alined and Agravaine, together with several others, were arrested in possession of a large consignment of crack cocaine and were in custody awaiting trial. Ailed had been put straight back in prison for breach of his parole. After days of questioning a minor member of the gang, implicated Agravaine, in arranging the break in at the bungalow. It seemed that Alined had asked Agravaine to arrange the kidnap and murder of Merlin while he himself had a cast iron alibi. In return Agravaine would become Alined's partner in the future drug deals once Alined was out of prison.
Arthur was devastated that his uncle had been prepared to let Merlin be killed just to forward his own illegal plans. He told Merlin who immediately felt sorry for Arthur; yet again his male relatives had proven to be a disappointment to him. Gwaine and Percy had been please to hear the man was safely out of the way and concerned that Merlin had yet again been a target.
Merlin had been home now for three months and was making a good recovery. He was active once more and out twice a day with Isolde. He was also working with Gaius on the archive, although for now Gaius was being selective at what they looked at. Merlin did come down with a nasty cold and ended up on oxygen. They were worried for awhile he would need to go into hospital but once again managed to avoid it. Merlin was on for a fortnight and sometimes felt too weak and tired to do much but he still kept as busy as he could.
The trail of Alined and Agravaine and there gang was held by the end of the year and they were all found guilty. Each getting a ten year sentence, Alined's to be added to the remaining part of his previous sentence.