Despite Iseldir's visits Merlin did become withdrawn for awhile, he was also still upset about Uther's will and often brooded over its unfairness. Finna however was a great help to Merlin, who eventually took comfort in the fact that Isolde had died in her sleep and he hadn't had to have her put down.
The matter of the party once more surfaced when the invite came. Arthur asked Merlin if he wanted to go. Merlin said he would if Arthur was happy to go to the old family home. So it was decided. Hunith, Gwaine and Gwen where invited as were Freya and Percy. They all agreed to go. The other bodyguards were also invited but declined. Arthur was happy with that as either himself, Gwaine or Percy would stay with Merlin at all times. Gwen and Lance were also going. All the children were going so Arthur decided to hire a minibus taxi to take then all to London.
Arthur had a long conversation with Morgana about Miranda's legacy and in the end they were all happy with the outcome. Miranda was not going to change her name to Pendragon yet, that might change later, but Morgana didn't think so. Her daughter didn't want to lose her father's name and she had no wish to go double barrelled either. So it looked like Uther wouldn't have things all his own way.
One day Merlin went to Arthur's office as the blond man was doing some legal work. He sat down and waited for Arthur to look up.
"Hi Merlin, what can I do for you darling." Arthur smiled at his husband.
"I want to ask you something." Merlin looked ill at ease.
Arthur turned to face Merlin and reached forward and took Merlin's hands in his, taking care not to hurt the younger mans left hand. "Ask away love."
"You know that letter I wrote you?" Arthur felt a stab of pain at the thought of the only letter Merlin had ever written him.
"Yes, I remember every word."
"Don't look like that Arthur, I ask because I wanted Leon to carry out my bequests from that letter. I want to give away the money. But he wouldn't do anything unless I speak to you first."
Arthur took a deep breath "Is that all. Thank goodness for that."
"What did you think I was going to say…..Oh I'm sorry Arthur…I didn't think." Merlin looked heartbroken.
"Don't worry Merlin. I just try never to think of that day. Now you want to give away your money?"
"It's not my money! It's theirs and I don't want it. I want to give it to my friends, its more use to them now than it will be later. I want to use the money to buy the cottages off you, and do all the other things I said. I know it's supposed to be to help me, but you're doing that, and you won't let me pay for anything, so I want to give it away." Merlin was getting agitated.
"Why are you so worried about having the money?" Arthur asked clearly puzzled.
"It's from them! I don't want it! It's like they paid me for what they did! Like it's was ok, because they paid! Why can't you see that? Why can't Leon see that?" Merlin's voice was getting more and more hysterical in tone.
"Calm down Merlin." Arthur pulled Merlin into his chest and ran his hand through the other mans hair to calm him. "What's brought all this on?" he asked calmly.
"I've never wanted the money, every time I get a letter from the bank it brings it back. It used to be once a year, about the interest. But now they keep sending me letters asking what I want to do to get even more money! I don't want it! Arthur I don't want it!...I don't want it." Merlin was getting angrier and angrier.
"Hush Love, calm down..please…calm down. If you don't want it that's fine…just don't upset yourself please." Arthur kept talking trying to bring Merlin back down. He hadn't realised Merlin felt that way. He hadn't even thought of the bank writing to Merlin and what effect it might be having on his husband.
Gradually Merlin became calmer as Arthur continued to comfort him. Arthur picked up his phone and rang the kitchen and asked Gwen to bring them round a hot drink. He then spoke to Merlin once more.
"If that's how you feel I'll speak to Leon and get him to sort things out. But Gwaine and the others might not be willing to take the money." In fact Arthur was certain they wouldn't.
"Will you tell them why please? Then they will, please Arthur." Merlin's voice started to rise once more.
At that Gwen knocked on the door and brought in the tray.
"Thank you Gwen, could you take it through to the bedroom, we're going to lie down a bit."
Gwen nodded seeing Merlin was upset, she turned and left leaving the door open behind her. As she went down the corridor she bumped into Gwaine and told him Merlin was upset. As Gwen left Arthur stood up and got Merlin to start walking towards the bedroom. Merlin was leaning on Arthur's shoulder, his limp much more pronounced than normal. Gwaine came round the corner as they were half way across the lounge.
"Need some help there? Come on Merl's give me your other arm." Gwaine didn't comment on Merlin's condition, but helped Arthur get Merlin into the bedroom and onto the bed. They propped him up with pillows so he could have his hot drink, to calm him.
"Merlin do you need one of your tablets?" Arthur asked softly.
"I'm ok" came to reply.
Gwaine nodded to Arthur and went to stand outside the door, in case he was needed. Merlin drank his drink and then moved down the bed and curled up in a ball.
"Merlin I'll go and speak to Leon, you get some rest. I'll get Gwaine to sit with you, ok." Merlin nodded his head.
Arthur went out and asked Gwaine to stay with Merlin. Gwaine sat by the bed and he too kept running his hand through Merlin's hair, to calm him until he fell asleep. Then he sat and watched his friend wondering what had upset him this time. Arthur went back to the office. He rang Leon and told him what had happened. As Leon was acting for Merlin as his legal representative, Arthur asked him to speak to the bank about sending letters to Merlin, and to start sorting Merlin's requests. He told Leon that he would talk to the men about their gifts and explain why Merlin was so keen to get rid of the money. Arthur also asked his brother in law to make sure that his own will was iron clad; to protect Merlin should anything happen to him first.
Arthur then went to speak to Percy, who was on duty covering the outside areas. Percy was amazed when Arthur told him that Merlin wanted to buy his cottage and give it to him and Freya. Not surprisingly he said no. Arthur then explained why Merlin wanted to give it to him. Percy said he would speak to Freya. He was then asked not to mention it to anyone else at the moment.
Percy couldn't believe what Merlin wanted to do for them. When he finished his shift he sat with Freya and told her about what Merlin wanted to do and why. Freya was as surprised as Percy had been. She could see why Merlin didn't want anything to do with the money, but they both felt it would be wrong to take it. Freya had known Merlin for years but would never have guessed he would want to do such a thing for them. In the end they decided to wait until the others knew and talk it over with them.
Gwaine was the next to be told. He had known Merlin had something planned, from the suicide letter, but never dreamed Merlin would want to pay of his mortgage. It fitted Merlin's consideration of others, once he thought about it; he could also understand why Merlin wanted to do it. Gwaine and Mithian also sat and talked about it later but made no decision.
Gwen cried when she was told and wanted to tell Merlin off, it took all of Arthur's persuasive powers to stop her.
After everyone had been told Arthur held a meeting. He explained once again why Merlin wanted to carry out is plan, both as a thank you and because he was unhappy having the money as he saw it as payment for his bad treatment. He told them that Merlin wanted to have the money now instead of later as it would be more use to them now, particularly those with children. Arthur also explained that giving away the money wouldn't affect Merlin's care in any way, as Arthur was sufficiently wealthy to cover any eventuality. After a great deal of discussion everyone reluctantly agreed.
Even after all the gifts were given, including those to the bodyguards living off site, Merlin still had a small residue left. His mother would be cared for separately should the bungalow be sold in her lifetime. Merlin was happy they had agreed and seemed to cheer up for awhile afterwards; it was as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
The following weekend was the party for Miranda and they all set off. Finna was left at the bungalow and Kay was staying there to look after her. Merlin's electric wheelchair was taken; this would give him more independence than the manual one as he could get himself about. They got to Uther's old house before the main crowd so Merlin could settle in. He was very nervous but Morgana made sure that the library was reserved as a bolt hole for him if the crowds got too much. Merlin hated every moment, he felt hemmed in and threatened, but Miranda made sure that her uncle was well looked after when he retreated to the library. The others all took in turns to stay with him and by the end of the evening all the adults were there leaving the youngsters to party. When it came to time to retire for the night Arthur and Percy helped Merlin go upstairs, Gwaine was a bit tipsy so he was banned from helping. The two men slept in Arthur's childhood bedroom.
They went back home the next morning and there was a surprise waiting for Merlin as he went through the door. Everyone had got together and as a thank you to Merlin, purchased another puppy, from the same farm as Isolde had come from. It was a direct descendent from the same line. The puppy was male this time. Merlin immediately called him Gi after his old friend Gaius. Alice, who was now in her mid eighties said her husband would have been pleased and honoured. Finna was a bit put out at first but was soon playing with the puppy. She had missed having Isolde about. The puppy also gave Merlin something else to think about making sure he didn't chew anything or leave puddles everywhere. Gi was nearer in temperament to Isolde and loved sitting on Merlin's lap, and didn't like his master out of his sight. Where Finna loved Merlin she had always sat by the side of him and played more.