Everyone tried to put Will's visit to the back of their minds as Merlin clearly wasn't going to discuss it. Although Merlin remained quiet throughout the evening they all had a good time. None of them were able to break through Merlin's silence to find out what Will's visit was about.

The next morning Gwen decided she would visit Merlin if no one else could find out she knew she could. Arriving at Merlin's on the pretence of helping him clear up with Elena in tow the two woman helped Merlin. Gwen was still hindered by her injury but did what she could. Then when Elena went up the garden to check nothing had been left behind Gwen turned to her friend.

"So are you going to tell me?" she asked

"Its not your business Gwen and there is nothing you can do anyway" Merlin snapped

"Maybe not but a problem shared is a problem halved, that's what a wise man one told me" Gwen hugged Merlin "Please Merlin let me help"

"I wasn't so wise was I, you told me I should be careful making my best friend my lover" Merlin sounded miserable "I lost both"

"Merlin it wasn't your fault and anyway I didn't say not to, just to take more time and that wouldn't have helped would it?" Gwen sighed "It lasted longer than a lot of peoples relationships now a day's"

Merlin turned to his now best friend "I'm losing the cottage! Will has seen a solicitor as my ex-partner he is entitled to half, I can give him half the value or it will be sold. This was my grandparents' home! Mum was born here and so was I! I can't afford to buy him out" Merlin couldn't stop a tear running down his face. "He was right I am a girl!"

"No Merlin you're not! But he can't do that surely, he left ages ago!"

"He can, I rang for advice this morning, he lived here with me and was with me when Mum left it to me. It was our joint home. I have refused a reconciliation so Will has filed a claim on our joint assets"

"We can all help you Merlin, do you know what the cottage is worth?"

"When Mum died probate was for £300,000 but it is worth more now. It's not big but the village is popular and sort after and it has a big garden. I don't have more than a couple of thousand put away. I was going to take out a loan to do some work."

Gwen sat down "Shit!...Merlin we need to get you a lawyer, you have to fight this"

"Fight what?" Elena asked as she walked in

"Look I don't want everyone to know, I don't want pity it's my own fault" Merlin said rolling his eyes

"Merlin everyone will know when you have to move! Don't be stupid" Gwen said in exasperation.

"That's me stupid" Merlin said "Look will you two just go, I need time alone ok"

Gwen and Elena reluctantly left. On the way back in the car Gwen filled in the gaps for her friend and said "We need to find him a good lawyer do you know any?"

"No but I know someone who will"

"Who?"

"Gwaine, I be he knows a lawyer, come on lets go to the shop"

Gwen looked doubtful "Merlin won't like it if we tell everyone"

Elena snorted "Maybe not but he will like it less if he loses his home, his mum and grandparents have their ashes there!" she pointed out.

They walk up to the office and knocked on the door, having seen his secretary downstairs they knew he would be alone, hearing Gwaine's voice then entered, the brunette was sat at his desk papers scattered over its surface, he looked up "Hi Girls this is a surprise, if it's social I'm busy I'm afraid"

Elena looked at Gwen then spoke "Just a question then we will go, do you know a good lawyer?"

Gwaine's head jerked in surprise "What have you been up to?"

"Not for us, for a friend, he needs a good lawyer quickly" Gwen said

"I know several great lawyers but you need to be more specific, sorry but lawyers specialise. What does your friend need one for?" Gwaine asked now very curious.

Gwen replied "Property" and Elena said "breakups" at the same time.

Gwaine raised his eyebrows "Does this have anything to do with Merlin, because if it is does he know you're here?"

Gwen looked ashamed "It is and no he doesn't, but Gwaine we have to help him. Will has claimed half his cottage, he will have to sell it!"

Gwaine's face was a picture, in their embarrassment neither of the girls noticed Gwaine glance to the open door to the back room. "The bastard he can't do that!"

"That's what we said but Merlin said he has had legal advice and they said he would have to buy Will out, he hasn't got that sort of money" Elena told their boss.

"No I don't suppose he does" Gwaine looked thoughtful. "Leave it with me girls, I'll give you a ring later"

"Thanks Gwaine, Merlin doesn't deserve this" Gwen said "We just want to help him"

"Go on off you go I'll get on to it for you" Gwaine said "But I'm kinda busy so I won't waste time chatting"

As soon as the girls left Gwaine turned to the back door that led to the small area where files were stored "Did you hear that?"

Arthur walked out his face like thunder "I did" he said shortly.

"So what are you going to do? He won't accept help easily" Gwaine knew the Potter well enough to know that

""Then I will just have to be sneaky, after all I've known you for years" Arthur gave a grim smile "First thing is contact Leon, now the new contracts have they all be sorted and signed?"

"Not yet, they are about to go out, it's taken a while to sort all the old ones out, everyone seemed to be on a different system depending on when they started. It was a right mess" Gwaine explained

"Good, then before you send them out we need to speak to Leon and add a clause." Arthur smirked "I think even Morgana will be proud of this one"

Arthur sat down and got on the phone, after he had spoken to Leon he looked at Gwaine "Now it's your turn to speak to the staff again."

About two hour later Gwaine called Gwen "Hi I needed to think when you came earlier. Then it dawned on me, part of the firms employees benefits package includes access to the company lawyers for certain matters. I know you haven't signed them all yet but I have spoken to Leon and he has approved a session for Merlin with one of his partners. Can Merlin get to London tomorrow at noon?"

Gwen said she would speak to Merlin and ask him "Look can I ring him? Will he be mad that I know?" Gwaine asked

"I'll speak to him soon" Gwen promised. As soon as she put the phone down Gwen rang Merlin

"Merlin I was speaking to Gwaine about the new contracts and he was explaining the details to me and guess what, we all have free access to company lawyers in London. So I hope you don't mind but I mentioned you needed one and he wants to talk to you to arrange something"

She was greeted by deafening silence then "You had no right Gwen!"

"Merlin you need help and he knows you are having problems" Gwen said "Just ring him up, it isn't charity it's something that all employees are given"

"I'll think about it" with that Merlin slammed the phone down.

Gwen rand Gwaine "I told him to ring you, I also told him I hadn't said much but that you'd rung me to tell me about the new contracts, sorry but he was angry you knew"

"That's all right Gwen but I won't lie if he asks me, I don't want him angry with me"

"Thanks Gwaine and sorry"

It was mid-afternoon before Merlin rang Gwaine he sounded angry but at least he had rang. "I spoke to Gwen she said we could speak to a company lawyer as part of our contracts, I haven't signed mine yet but can I, and if I do is it confidential?"

"Of course it is, ring this number and someone will talk to you and put you through to the correct department depending on why you need one. They will then advise if they can help. Is there anything I can do?" Gwaine asked,

"No, there isn't but thanks anyway. Arthur doesn't have to know does he?" Merlin said

"That I don't know Merlin. I assume he has to ok it as it comes from company accounts but he won't know details just generalisations and probably not until the bill arrives. You might want to tell him anyway if you need to have more than one meeting, he does think of you as a friend you know. Now phone them now, you might get seen quicker that way"

Gwaine rang Leon and told him "He'll be ringing soon"

Then Gwaine rang Arthur "All sorted, he is going to ring and make an appointment, they will see him tomorrow. He didn't tell me what it was about and he didn't want you to know. This is getting a bit difficult, if he finds out…"

"Then make sure he doesn't" Arthur told him. "He has no reason to after all. But it does seem I have a new company perk! Hope they don't all have problems. I'd best get Leon to put a few provisos in the contracts. I don't want to be paying for all sorts of things! First one I think is length of service, if I make that long enough not many people will fit. How long as Merlin worked at the pottery?"

"Since he left school, ten years I think" Gwaine looked at the computer screen as he was talking "Yeh just over ten years. Then looking down the list he said "There aren't many been here that long so ten years is as good a place as any."

"I'll get Leon to write that in, then in a few months we can tighten the rules further so we only help those that really need it and not for many things. I don't mind helping but legal fees are expensive." Arthur commented "I'll let Leon work out the semantics"

"All I can say boss is you have a heart after all" Gwaine smirked "Even if it is only for raven haired potters"

The next morning Merlin caught the train to London and headed for the address Leon had texted him. It was a plush London office and he was shown into a large and imposing office where he was met by a lawyer who introduced himself as Rupert Knight. Merlin was asked to sit and then he told his story with as many facts as he could. He had brought his mother's last will and testament that left the cottage to him and everything else he could think off.

After an hour and a half of going through everything the lawyer looked at Merlin. "I see no reason why we shouldn't contest this claim. As you both contributed equally to the household expenses, but you did most of the upkeep and domestic duties and there was no mortgage involved. The cottage is in your name and has been in your family for three generations, added to the fact that your ex-partner left and had no contact for" he looked at his notes "Two and a half years and made no move to make any application for partnership to be legally dissolved before this date." He paused "Did you plan to marry?"

"We had talked about it but then my mother was ill and other things took precedence. At that time although we were living there it was her house, and she made will when she knew she was dying." Merlin handed him the will.

After looking at it the lawyer asked "When this was made were you living together as a couple?"

"Yes we had been for about six months." Merlin told him. "Although Will was like a son to her she wanted the house to be mine. She did leave him a small legacy. It hurt him I think but I wouldn't have changed her wishes, it was what she wanted and I didn't think it mattered"

"Well I believe we can win this case, your ex-partner may be awarded a smaller amount but I see no logic in him expecting to have a fifty percent share. I am happy to act for you, I will contact Pendragons and confirm that this meets their criteria. But I don't believe there will be a problem. I will contact you tomorrow, that if you wish me to take the case"

"Yes please" Merlin was relieved. "But are you sure, I mean I spoke to a local solicitor…"

"Mr Emrys I am very sure. As a lawyer specialising in this field I deal with cases far more complex than this all the time. Try not to worry unduly Mr Emrys, may I keep your documents for now?"

"Yes they are copies" Merlin felt hope for the first time. The journey back home was a happier one for Merlin, although he knew he could have no guarantees the lawyer had seemed very confident and had asked far more questions than the solicitor he had contacted by phone. Looking at the building he was just hoping that he didn't have to pay, but even if he did have to it might be cheaper than trying to find the means to buy half his cottage. Maybe he could raise a mortgage on the other half. He might have to work until he was ninety but it would be worth it not to lose his mother's home.

He had a letter two days later conforming that his application for legal assistance under contract turns had been accepted and the lawyers would be working on his case, Reading further Merlin read the last sentence 'Please confirm if you wish us to continue with this case by phoning ….."

Merlin smiled 'of course I do I'd be mad not to' he muttered as he dialled the number given. Merlin felt a lot happier and the rest of the break flew past and the group were soon back at work all the alterations completed. The first day back they were given their contracts to sign and all the bumph about employee benefits. Not everyone was happy, there were clauses about performance and training that did not go down well in all quarters and some of the staff weren't happy at being moved from their previous positions. The new contracts meant that the shop floor workers could be moved between departments as and when needed. Sophia was particularly vocal having been moved from the till to one of the back room jobs. She was to help with packaging of internet and other outlet sales. Her attitude towards customers made it necessary to move her.

The benefits were liked there were several including a bonus system for sales. Paid out each May, as well as the same discount at Arthurs other businesses as they had at the Pottery and a few other bits including the legal help. All were dependant on length of service with the legal part needing the longest period of service to the company. There was also the ability to move between business's which attracted some interest, Sophia being one, who quite liked the idea of working in the capital.

In the week the contracts were given out Morgana, Arthur's sister was at the pottery every day and everyone had an appointment with her and Leon the company lawyer before signing their contract. Merlin found himself liking the sometimes cutting humour of Morgana, and they spent several breaks together in the canteen. Morgana for her part wanted to get to know the man who seemed to have captured her brother's interest as no one had before. Leon was also interested, he hadn't been able to believe Arthur's change in contract just to help this clearly very independent man. His own brother was the lawyer looking into Merlin's case and although no confidential information had been passed over Leon knew enough from Arthur and his brother to know that this man deserved the help he was receiving. Leon only hoped that his brother in laws heart wasn't going to be broken by the first man who he had shown any real interest in.

There was another budding romance, all be it one that both parties were aware of, going on as Gwen and Lance had started dating. It was clear that this was a perfect match. The more casual friendship between the flirtatious Gwaine and the strong minded Elena was also being watched with interest. Although there was nothing in any contract about fraternisation between employees Leon was surprised at Arthur's interest in Merlin, as he had always been very careful in the past to show no favouritism. Mind you as his wife pointed out the interest seemed to be one sided.

At the end of Merlin's first week back at work he went up to London for a meeting with his lawyer. It went well and he knew a letter was going to be sent to Will's solicitor the next day. Merlin was deep in thought as he walked out the building. He wished it hadn't had to end as it had, he knew they could not even be friends after this. Merlin walked straight into someone and looking up he half recognised the man.

"I'm sorry" Merlin told the man "Deep in thought"

The other man looked at Merlin in recognition "That's all right Merlin Emrys isn't it?"

Merlin was surprised that someone in London should know who he was. "Yes, sorry have we met before?"

The man gave Merlin a somewhat false smile that put Merlin in edge "Yes, down at the Pottery, I am Mr Pendragon's uncle Agravaine De Bois. I visited when he decided to purchase the firm" he held out his hand

Merlin shook it automatically, the man had a very week handshake. Merlin believed you could tell a lot from a handshake and he wasn't impressed. He was further surprise when Agravaine said "Look it's good to see you do you fancy a coffee, I was just going to drop something of and go for one."

Unable to think of a reason why not, and not wanting to be rude to Arthur's uncle Merlin agreed "That would be nice I have an hour to fill until my train back"

"Splendid, I won't be a moment" with that the other man handed an envelope in at the desk and returned. "My club is just round the corner"