Merlin did his best not to allow the whole court case issue upset him. He wasn't completely successful, but after talking to Iseldir he was better able to put the issue to one side. It was also helped by the fact that it was not connected to his kidnap and major trauma in his life. Arthur was better once he had told Merlin he hated secrets. Leon kept them as informed about the case as much as he was able. After discussing the issue with all concerned he decided to take the case for the prosecution. The retrial was scheduled for two months time. As the matter being dealt with was the drug dealing, the two men would not be involved in anyway. The break in had never been part of the original trail so it wouldn't be considered this time.
Once Gwaine found out about Agravaine he became extra vigilant with Merlin's moods. He sat and talked to Merlin about the whole thing and was surprised how unaffected Merlin seemed about it. Unlike Arthur who appeared more worried. He had felt guilty about how his uncle had treated Merlin when he stayed at the bungalow.
"If he's let out I don't want him being given access here at all. Make sure everyone is aware. Hopefully his bid will fail." Arthur just didn't want old troubles to resurface.
"Don't worry Arthur. You know your uncle is a bit like that mould problem I've got in the bathroom, it keeps coming back to bother me, but it won't beat me in the end."
Arthur laughed "Only you would call my uncle mould!"
The following weeks were wet cold and damp but so far Merlin was keeping well. He was wrapped up so well when he went out with the dogs that he complained he could hardly see anything and was wedged into his wheelchair. Merlin made his own brand of fuss when his mum went down to the shops when it was frosty. He was scared she would fall again, so she agreed in the end not to go out if it was slippery.
During a particularly stormy day the village lost all its electricity so the house started to get colder. They lit a fire in the grate and Merlin and Hunith sat by it to keep warm. Arthur joined them to play board games to pass the time. The electric still wasn't back on before they went to bed. Arthur took Hunith along to her annex and left a powerful torch with her and made sure she had plenty of blankets to keep warm. It gave the two men an extra reason to cuddle up that night. It wasn't until eleven the next day that the power was restored. It took awhile for the bungalow to warm up properly.
Several of the trees had blown down in the garden and needed to be sorted out; one was the apple tree that Isolde had been buried under, which upset Merlin. Arthur hired a local company to clear them and turn most of the trees into logs for their fire. One of the men, Garry, turned out to be the son of the family where Gi had come from. He was pleased to see Gi so happy. As they removed the torn up roots the small dog's grave was disturbed. Garry realising what the bones might be had a quick word with Kay, and then made sure that the grave was restored without upsetting either of the men. Once the garden was tidied up a new tree was planted to mark the grave.