Gwaine and Percy looked at one another and Percy took a step forward do he was in front of Merlin. Agravaine stopped just before he reached the group.

"Hello Merlin, I don't mean to bother you, but I have called at the bungalow and couldn't get anyone to come to the gate. Is my nephew at home?" He completely ignored the two bodyguards.

"No he isn't, I'm afraid neither of us will be available to see you. So you needn't call again." Merlin's voice was strong and he appeared to be completely unflustered. The two terriers growled deep in their throats, picking up their master's mood.

Agravaine looked down at the two dogs before looking straight into Merlin's eyes. "No need to be like that Merlin, I'm sure Arthur would like to see me, so can you tell me when would be best to call?" Agravaine was trying his best to intimidate Merlin.

"You heard what Mr Pendragon said, so please be on your way." Percy took half a step forward. Two could try intimidation, and Percy was still an impressive figure.

Agravaine looked Percy up and down. "I see I'll get nowhere now, but really Merlin you should control your hired help better." Agravaine sneered. "I after all, left mine in the car. Manners you know, not that I suppose you know much about that. I will catch up with Arthur another time."

Gwaine stepped forward, but Merlin put out his hand to stop him. "Ignore him Gwaine he's not worth our time." Merlin started forward and ignored the man on the pavement.

As Merlin got closer Gwaine spoke once more. "I'd be careful if I were you Sir, Mr Pendragon is apt to run over shit, and that wheelchair is heavy, it's the batteries you know."

Agravaine seeing he wasn't getting anywhere went back and got into the car and it drove off. Once it was round the corner Merlin stopped his chair. Gwaine and Percy looked at him. Merlin was shaking like a leaf and was deadly pale.

"Why didn't you stop me?" He asked in a whisper.

"Why should we, you did a good job Merlin, just don't let me cross you, I didn't know you had it in you." Gwaine squeezed Merlin's shoulder.

"Good on you Merlin." Percy joined in. "Let's get going shall we, the dogs want their walk. Then when Arthur gets back you can warn him."

They didn't go too far Merlin was too shaken, he couldn't believe what he had done. As they approached the bungalow Percy noticed the car parked a few yards past the gate.

"It looks like they went in a circle. I'll stay outside and keep an eye on him."

Gwaine took Merlin indoors and made Merlin a coffee. "You did well Merlin, don't ever let people like him get under your skin."

Merlin gave Gwaine a half smile "Don't expect me to do that again I was shitting myself. If you two hadn't been there to hide behind I would never have done it."

"Hey, that's what we're paid for, we make a good brick wall, or rather Percy does." Gwaine laughed at Merlin's face. "Mind you if you keep that up we might need a newer model, if you try it on someone younger and fitter, we're all getting older you know."

Outside Percy kept an eye on the car, but it stayed where it was. About an hour later Arthur's car pulled up and Percy opened the gates for him. After Arthur had parked his car in the garage, Percy went up to him and explained what had happened.

"Come on inside Percy, we can't stop him parking on the highway. Just make sure the CITV is on and being watched. How's Merlin?"

"Gwaine's with him. I think he shook himself up a bit! He was shaking after your uncle left."

Arthur went in and found Merlin and Gwaine in the lounge. Gwaine left the two men alone. Arthur took his jacket and tie off and threw them on the armchair before walking towards Merlin.

"I hear you've been sorting out my Uncle." Arthur smiled at Merlin as he sat next to his husband on the sofa.

"I don't know what came over me. It wasn't until afterwards I felt scared." Merlin turned and cuddled into Arthur, he was still shaking.

Arthur put his arm around Merlin's shoulders and pulled him closer and gave the other man a kiss. "Don't worry I don't want anything to do with him. He won't come in here."

"You know, I don't care as long as you are here. I feel safe with you about, safer than with the others. I don't know how I'd feel if it was ….them…. but anyone else I know I'm safe. I don't know why, but lately if I wake up in a bad dream and if I turn and see you beside me. I can cuddle up I feel completely safe. But if you're not there I can't stop the thoughts. Am I being silly?" Merlin looked up at the other man.

"No Merlin, I will never let anyone hurt you again, even them, I'd die first, you know that don't you?" If you dream, just wake me up, I don't mind." Arthur was surprised, Merlin had never spoke in such a way before.

"If it's them I see…..even now, I find myself back in that room...I don't think I'll ever be able to face them, but anyone else… After all your uncle was just nasty, he didn't hurt me, he just scared me. I'm a coward I can't help it."

Arthur looked down at his husband:

"Merlin you are not a coward, you went through hell, but we're past that now, and I'll always make sure you're protected. You know that don't you? I won't put you at risk ever again my love." Arthur pulled Merlin tight into his chest tears running down his face at the memories.

Merlin pulled away and looked up at the blonde man. "It wasn't your fault you know? I never blamed you. I should have used a taxi and this wouldn't have happened, we would have had a normal life with kids. It was my fault not yours." Merlin put his hand around Arthur's neck and pulled him into a desperate kiss.

"Never ever say it was your fault Merlin, it wasn't. They had it all planned, if not then, then somewhere else. As to the rest, who knows what would have happened. The important thing is we have each other." The two men sat together for some time. Arthur was wondering why this had all come out now after all these years.

It took Merlin sometime to settle back down and get his colour back. Arthur stayed with him and comforted him. Agaravaine's car left a short time after Arthur had got back. So now they would have to wait for his next move. Arthur rang up Dr Kilgarrah and told him what Merlin had been speaking about. The psychiatrist felt this might be that at long last Merlin was beginning to come to terms with what had happened to him. That by standing up to the lesser threat Merlin was able to process his fears and thoughts. But he agreed it was early days. He was due to see Merlin in a couple of weeks and would reassess him fully then.

Arthur found that Merlin was becoming far more emotional as the time went on. Talking more and more about how he wished things could have been different, but also telling Arthur how much he loved him and felt loved by him. He still wasn't talking about his two years away but seemed to be more accepting of it. He was initiating close and personal contact with Arthur far more frequently. Whereas before, it was nearly always Arthur, that made the first move.

Agravaine left it a week before calling once again, again Arthur was out. But this time Merlin was unaware of the visit. The following week Agravaine arrived when Arthur was there and spoke to his Uncle outside, refusing to let him indoors. Agravaine said he wanted to re-establish a relationship with Arthur, claiming he was set up, and as Arthurs Uncle, and one of a few of Arthur's living relatives it was important for them both. Also he was Arthur's only contact with his dead mother. Arthur was insistent he wanted nothing to do with the man and that if necessary would ask for a court injunction to keep him away. Agravaine left but Arthur was still uneasy.

Merlin knew that Agravaine had visited and followed Arthur into his office afterwards. He wanted to make sure his husband was alright. He found Arthur sat at his desk with his head in his hands running his fingers though his hair. A sure sign that Arthur was upset. Merlin put his hands on Arthurs shoulders and kissed too top of his head.

"You can see him if you want you know. I can cope. He is family."

"I don't want to Merlin. I just want him to keep away." Arthur turned and put his arms around Merlin's waist. "I don't want family like that."

Merlin bent down and kissed Arthur. Arthur deepened the kiss and then picked Merlin up and sat him on his lap. They continued to kiss and hold each other.

"I think we might be getting a bit old for all this you know." grinned Merlin.

"We'll never be too old! Come on let's go to bed." Arthur leered back at the man in his arms.

"Bed! It's only three o'clock in the afternoon, and you need a sleep. You are getting old my love." Merlin said very seriously.

"Oh no my dear! I don't want to sleep."Arthur grinned and started to stand uo with Merlin still in his arms.

"Don't be an idiot, you'll hurt your back. I'll walk!" Merlin was giggling by now.

"Hey you to get a room why don't you." Came Kay's voice from the lounge.

"That's the one problem with all these men about no privacy. Come on Merlin." Arthur dragged Merlin off to their bedroom.