The party went on for several more hours and Arthur and Merlin danced several times, although by the end Arthur was almost totally holding Merlin up, as his leg no longer wanted to support him. Everyone was pleased to see the two men so happy together. The day had been a great success. In the end, both Elton and Barry stayed the night. The next day Merlin was confined to his wheelchair all day, except for a spell in the pool, due to the pain he was getting in his leg.
They both had breakfast with their guests then Barry and his wife left to return to their home. Elton and his family stayed for lunch. The men had a long chat David said he was surprised at how well the two men had integrated into the community from the beginning. Saying that for a gay couple, in a small village they had done very well. Arthur said he thought they had been helped by several things; they had helped to establish the woodland walks, suitable for wheelchair use. They had also used the local facilities on a regular basis as well.
Arthur said he also felt that the publicity around Merlin's kidnap had made the locals sympathetic but that he thought the greatest asset was Merlin himself, who was very popular in the area. They had only had a few negative experiences but not as many as they had thought they would have. By the time Elton and his family left the couple had some new friends. Merlin also had two new children to make a fuss of for awhile.
The party seemed to have had a long lasting effect on Merlin's mood and he was much happier afterwards. Arthur only hoped it would continue. The village was full of gossip about the party and the singers for sometime afterwards. All the children also had bragging rights with their friends which pleased them no end.
Winter soon arrived and one morning there was a knock on the door. When Kay opened it he was met by one of the neighbours who said Hunith had fallen on the ice. An ambulance had been called but they thought she had broken her hip. Kay informed Arthur who went straight down to the village. Merlin was in the pool with Gwaine and Arthur asked Kay not to say anything until he had checked it out. He didn't want Merlin to unnecessary worry him.
Arthur phoned a little while later, the ambulance had arrived and yes Hunith had broken her hip. He was coming back to the bungalow and would take Merlin to the hospital so would they get him ready. Merlin was very upset and angry at first that he hadn't been told straight away. But by the time he had arrived in A&E he was a bit calmer. Arthur had brought Gwaine and Kay as well.
Hunith was soon sorted and Arthur arranged for her to have a single room much to her disgust. She was to be treated privately but within the hospital. She was soon in theatre having her hip replaced. Merlin was devastated and insisted on visiting her every day, until Hunith herself told him to stay at home, he was getting himself stressed. She was back home in five days and Arthur arranged for her to have some help, so she could still be independent in her own home. Merlin tried to get her to move into the main bungalow but she refused, insisting that she was only a door away. She did agree to have a personal alarm which she wore round her neck so she could call for help if she needed it.
But it was a wakeup call to Merlin that his mother was getting frailer, she was seventy six after all. After that Merlin made sure he went round to see her every day, unless she came to the main bungalow first. He started to worry about the smallest things and his mental state got more fragile once again. Arthur tried to reassure him but he found it difficult as he could see that Hunith seemed to be showing her age more since the fall. She had lost some of her confidence. Gwaine started to get Hunith round to the hydrotherapy pool everyday and that helped her no end. It also helped to strengthen her hip.
On one of Merlin's visits to Hunith she sat down with her son and talked to him:
"Look Merlin I know seventy six isn't that old nowadays but you must face facts I am getting older. I've reached my three score years and ten and sooner or later I won't be here for you." She placed her hand on his knee. "What I don't want is you getting so upset that it affects your health."
"Don't talk like that mum, you're still young, and anyway I have the right to worry about you." Merlin could feel himself getting tearful.
"Yes you do, to worry but not make yourself ill. You and Arthur have made sure I've had a good life and hopefully I will go on longer yet but you must face facts son. It would break my heart if I thought that after I've gone you would follow me soon after because you've made yourself ill."
"Don't talk like that mum!" Merlin knew he would start crying soon but was trying not to; he didn't want to upset his mother.
"Merlin all I ask is that you be sensible about things and face facts. I will go before you but when I do I will be ready. I will be with your father again, so I will want you to be happy. You need to be strong for Arthur as well as yourself. He worries about you and he must be your first priority." She paused "I'll say no more now but please think about what I've said and be sensible."
They hugged each other and then Merlin went to make them a cup of tea. It was almost a tradition with his mum. A cup of tea was the cure for anything.