As the cars arrived at the bungalow nothing out of the unusual could be seen. Merlin commented on the smell of cooking but said no more. As they went into the bungalow Arthur steered Merlin straight into the bedroom to have a shower and change. The curtains were already drawn so Merlin couldn't see the garden. They had a shower which took a bit longer than anticipated due to the Arthur deciding now would be a good time to make love. Afterwards they got dressed. Arthur had laid out some new clothes for Merlin which he said were part of his Birthday present.

Merlin put on the blue silk shirt and black trousers without complaint. He knew Arthur loved seeing him dressed up and at least there wasn't a tie. Arthur put on his favourite red shirt and black trousers and they headed out to the lounge. Once there Merlin was greeted by the view of the garden and his month dropped open.

"What have you done." he asked turning to Arthur.

"Happy Birthday darling" the blonde man kissed his husband once again.

As he did so, all the family and guests come out of the marquee. It was the first time in ages that they had all been together. All the family members as well as all the staff and several friends like Alice who they had made in the village. Then Merlin spotted Iseldir and someone who he presumed was his wife and Dr Kilgarrah and his wife who Merlin had met once before.

Merlin has tears in his eyes. He walked slowly round and said hello to everyone telling his mother and Gwaine off for not warning him. After that he sat down quite taken aback with it all. William brought him across a glass of Champaign and Arthur stood up.

"Hello everyone, and thank you all for coming here today to celebrate Merlin's fiftieth birthday, which is also the thirtieth anniversary of our first meeting. It hasn't always been easy but I bless the day I met Merlin and love him more today than ever. A toast to Merlin."

They all drank to the toast. Then Merlin stood up.

"As Arthur said, thank you for all coming here today and for keeping his secret so well. He says he blesses the day he met me, but that is nothing to how I feel about him. Without him I would be nothing, he is my life my love, my everything without him I would never have made this day. I would also like to thank you all of you here today, as you have all played you part in helping me these past years. I know I have often been difficult and hard to live with but you have all made it better for me. I can't promise it will be better in the years to come, but I do promise to try. I presume that there is food and drink a plenty so please enjoy yourselves."

Merlin turned to Arthur and kissed him again before sitting down. He looked at Arthur and smiled."I never thought I would manage public speaking."

Both of the men had unshed tears in their eyes. The party began and everyone stood round and talked until the food was ready. Merlin laughed at Arthur when he saw the roasts.

"I think one would have done you know, we're going to be eating leftovers for weeks."

George came round the corner and whispered in Arthur's ear and Arthur followed him into the bungalow. He came back half an hour late with some more guests. Walking up to where Merlin was sitting his back toward the bungalow he tapped Merlin on the shoulder.

"Merlin we have some more guests in fact they've come to sing for us."

Merlin turned round and had to do a double take. Then he held out his hand to the people with Arthur. In front of him was one of his favourite singers and he couldn't believe it. There in front of him was Elton John! with his husband David Furnish and their two sons Zachary and Elijah. Merlin was completely flustered. But the two men were lovely and already about Merlin's past so were completely understanding. Merlin had just got over the shock when he received another one. Arthur disappeared once more and came back with another two guests. He had met them before as they had a house a few miles away but was surprised to see them again. It was Barry Gibb and his wife Linda. He spoke to them for a while and then introduced them to Elton John but they already knew each other. Merlin pulled Arthur to one side.

"Really Arthur not that I'm complaining but two top star's I appreciate one but two?"

"Well neither of them was sure and since they didn't mind I book both then it worked out they could both come. I would have tried to get Elvis but he wasn't available." Arthur kept a straight face.

"You idiot! It must have cost you a fortune! Two stars, two roasts what else am I having two of." Merlin said quietly.

"Well if you're lucky we can repeat what we did in the shower earlier." He smirked making Merlin blush. "As the money it did cost a bit but they both gave their fee to the disabled canal boat trust so I don't mind." Arthur had been surprised when both the men suggested a charity benefit. Both the men had heard of Merlin's kidnap and ongoing problems and had wanted to help a charity close to him.

Later on that evening both the stars performed separately and together. As they started their joint session Arthur pulled Merlin onto the dance floor as Elton made an announcement.

"This song is a request it is Merlin and Arthur's song even if they were both babies when it was first recorded. Arthur has asked us to sing it and for the first time you will hear both of us covering this song once recorded by Elvis.

With that they began to sing once more as Arthur pulled Merlin close and they started to dance slowly. Merlin supported by this husband. As they danced Arthur quietly sang along the words so apt for the pair of them:

When no-one else can understand me
When everything I do is wrong
You give me hope and consolation
You give me strength to carry on
And you're always there to lend a hand
In everything I do
That's the wonder
The wonder of you
And when you smile the world is brighter
You touch my hand and I'm a king
Your kiss to me is worth a fortune
Your love for me is everything
I'll guess I'll never know the reason why
You love me like you do
That's the wonder
The wonder of you