It didn't seem long before Merlin was hugging Iseldir and Will goodbye and he was in the plane awaiting take off. He was scared once more and sat between his brothers who both offered a hand. He took Mordred's willingly but although he took Gwaine's it was with less enthusiasm. The trip back was a long one for the brothers. Luckily for him Merlin slept through most of it. The two days on the streets and the emotional stress he had been subject to made sure of that. As the brothers disembarked and reached the area where all the Pendragon's and Gaius were waiting it was clear to those left behind that something wasn't right with the brothers.
They all put a good face on it for their friends but as soon as they got home Merlin disappeared up to his room saying he was tired. Gwaine explained what had happened then added "I wish I could take it back but I was so worried and then when I found out what he was doing I got angry. The minute I hit Merlin I wanted to take it back. I have apologised but I don't know if he will forgive me" Gwaine was clearly very repentant.
Gaius was the first to speak "Merlin will forgive you, he has a very forgiving nature just give him time. I expect at the moment he is too tired to think properly"
"I agree Gwaine give him time" Ygraine told Gwaine "He will come round, now I have done some food, eat up then go and rest"
Arthur took a plate up to Merlin, Ygraine having decided for once she would allow it. As Arthur knocked on the door and walked in he found Merlin sat on his bed staring at the wall. "Hi Squirt, I have brought you something to eat" he handed the tray to Merlin
"Don't want it" came the sulky reply
Arthur paused "Do you want to tell your Aunty Ygraine that? Come on I've got mine as well eat up" he picked up a chicken wing one of Merlin's favourites and munched on it.
Merlin looked up and took one from the plate and started to eat. Arthur looked at the young man he had become so found of "Gwaine told us what happened he is very sorry you know that don't you?"
Merlin looked at Arthur but didn't say anything so Arthur continued "How did you find it? Going back on the streets?"
Merlin looked at him "Hard…..but also it was …home" he paused "I had to do it and I knew he would try to stop me. I wanted answers"
"Did you find them?" Arthur asked as he picked up some more food. "And what did you decide?"
"To come back" Merlin gave the smallest of grins "But I want to help them, I can't do nothing"
"Well so do I! I have asked dad about setting up a charity but we need to decide what to do. I mean, how do you think we can help?" the blonde asked "I saw what was happening but you lived it."
Merlin looked lost "I don't know, but when I was in the mountains I wondered why Mama took us to Mumbai, it was nice there. But the guide says there is no work or food." Merlin looked at Arthur "Why can't they grow it like I do at the gardens?"
"But would they be able to grow enough? And whose land is it? I see what you are saying, people go to the city to work but I wonder if they realise what they are going to, but perhaps they have no choice. I think we should talk to Iseldir, he might know" Arthur admitted. "But you do know we can't help everyone there are just too many, four hundred thousand children on the streets then in the slums the populations are sixty two million people. I looked it up when I got back. You have to realise Merlin that that can't change overnight. It needs Governments a long time to change that. We can help some but also I think we need to raise awareness" he looked at Merlin "We can try to do something, but at the same time you have to live a life." He moved forward and hugged Merlin before rubbing his head with his knuckles "Now make friends with your brother, but first eat your food. I promise we will have a family conference about it and see what ideas we can come up with."
Merlin did as he was asked and after telling Arthur about his holiday Merlin decided to get some sleep. He woke up in the early hours and after thinking he got up and very quietly left his room and walked next door. He was glad he was now back upstairs. He went into Gwaine's room and but the light of his torch he went to the bedside and looked down at Gwaine. The brunette stirred, probably due to the torch and opened his eyes. Seeing Merlin their he sat up
"Hi" he said
Merlin looked at Gwaine before saying simply "Hug?"
Gwaine smiled and threw back the bedclothes "Get in then or you will get cold"
Merlin switched off his torch and crept into the bed with his brother and they hugged each other "I'm sorry Merlin" Gwaine said his voice full of emotion.
"I know, It's Ok I forgive you" he whispered. The two brothers hugged until Gwaine realised that Merlin had fallen asleep. Gwaine wondered if he should carry Merlin back to his bed but decided to stay where he was. It was nice being this close to Merlin. Eventually he to fell asleep.
The next morning when Mordred woke he went to see Merlin, finding his bed empty and cold he went downstairs before going to Gwaine's room. He knocked and not getting an answer went in to wake him. As he got to the bed he realised Merlin was with his oldest brother and smiled. Creeping out he fetched his camera, the one he had taken on holiday, and went back and took a photos of the sleeping brothers. As he quietly left the room he bumped into Morgana coming out of her room. He motioned her to follow him and when they were downstairs he showed her the photo he had taken. With lots of giggles they went to the computer and printed of a copy to show everyone else when they got up.
"Don't they look cute" Morgana told her mother when she joined then in the kitchen.
"They do, but I'm not sure as they will be happy with the photo" Ygraine admitted
She was right. But they both still asked for a copy so couldn't have been to cross. Arthur kept his word and arranged a family get together to talk about what they could do to help the street children. It took them a couple of weeks to come up with a list that they wanted find out if they were practical and do able. Arthur spoke to Iseldir and Will. Gwaine meanwhile made an appointment to speak to the charities commission with Uther, they also spoke to the Indian Embassy and several children's charities. Merlin, Morgana and Morgana sat down and tried to work out how they could fund raise. Mordred and Morgana planned to try to sort out something thought college and schools. Then they spoke to Ygraine who agreed to speak to her woman's group.
It took two months before they had the skeleton of a plan. It was two pronged. First was to try to raise funds, they wanted to buy small parcels of land in India where they could encourage people to stay in the countryside and earn a living there. Both in growing things and making things that could be sold in the UK to help increase their income. Hopefully stopping the migration of the poor into the city slums. Also to increase the safe places where the street children could live, by buying buildings for them to sleep in safety. It was also hoped to help them find either full time schooling or safe jobs. This would help those who ran away from their families for whatever reason and give them hope. Providing some food free or selling it at a cheaper rate so the boys still felt independent. And also provide a means of saving money where it could not be stolen. Something Merlin was keen on and he said so at one of the meetings.
"I wanted to save so I could go back to the mountains, but couldn't because it would get stolen, but they would have to trust us. Also I wanted to do things for myself rather than charity." He explained adding "If there was some schooling at times the children don't work they might do that as well. Street children want a better life, but they are proud in their own way."
Morgana looked up "Something like a savings club, maybe with guidance they could employ a couple of the street children to help"
Uther nodded "That could work if some of the kids could write and add up, some could also be employed to cook and keep the places clean." He suggested. "I was also thinking we could offer scholarships to the brighter children to train for other things, like medicine or admin. They could then work for the charity in India to help others"
They continued to plan and fund raise as well as getting together the property and small parcels of land they needed in India. Everyone realised it would take time but they were all committed to help however they could. It would take longer than they hoped to set up the first shelter, savings club and school in Mumbai and the first four country areas to help the villages. The first was in the village Amata had lived in. The charities name was the Emrys, Amata Street Children Charity. And its mission statement was
'To make the lives of street children in India easier and safer, to raise awareness of the plight of homeless children worldwide. To free them of the prejudice and hardships that they themselves are not responsible for, and give them their childhoods back.' Eventually of course they would all like to see Street Children disappear as the country grew and cared for them better but this was years ahead.
Three years later
Merlin was eighteen and had progressed well enough that he could read and write well. He had a grasp of other things as well including computers. Once he and Gwaine had moved to the estate, Merlin started to work on the walled garden with help of a couple of the others from the centre he had gone to. Merlin wanted to help disadvantaged people in England as well. They set up one of the cottages so the gardeners could live on site and also provided support for them when they needed it. The garden would provide vegetables, fruit and flowers for the house and sell the remainder in a small shop. They also had a few chickens and pigs in a nearby field. Merlin was to split his time between the charity and his beloved garden. His role in the charity was to talk to donors as we as go with Gwaine when they met up with government officials in both Britain and India.
Gwaine had decided to finish his degree and set up the charity headquarters on his estate. With Uther giving advice and support. For the first two years Arthur would help Gwaine but be paid for by Pendragon and Emrys. Mordred was continuing his education and staying at the Pendragons going to the estate in the holidays and some weekends. In fact all the Pendragons spent a lot of time at the estate now. Gwaine also did his best to spoil his brothers when Merlin allowed it. He would forever feel guilty about the life that Merlin had led, even if Merlin himself was happy and content.
Morgana finished college and decided not to go to university. This had caused arguments with her father but she had insisted she wanted to work with the charity. So after college she had taken a nine month diploma in fundraising. It seemed she was also a natural at organising charity events and getting money from donors. Something her mother often helped at as well. They were a force to be reckoned with. They used both sites in London and for larger events the estate house. Of course Gwaine's title as an Earl helped attract the large donors something he unashamedly milked for all it was worth.
Once word got out what they were doing both Lance and Leon said once they were qualified as a doctor and teacher respectively they would be willing to work in one of the centres in India. Percy had also offered his services as a physio for the charity. Everything seemed to be coming together.
The charity also tried to help the homeless children in the UK, by highlighting their plight. In fact they made sure that everyone knew it was a worldwide problem even of their main focus was India and Mumbai area in particular. Gwaine realised they had to grow in a sustainable way. They worked hard to change attitudes in India itself, knowing that was where in the end most of the action needed to take place. Gwaine managed to talk one of his fellow students for University, who was from a high caste Indian family, to talk to Merlin and between them they got him on board as the charities representative in India.
Merlin didn't regain any of his childhood memories from before the accident but fully accepted that Gwaine and Mordred where his true brothers. But something that no one had seen coming was the developing relationship with Morgana. The Pendragon was two years older than Merlin but it was never an issue as Merlin had matured faster than normal die to his life. The couple became increasingly close and on Morganas twentieth birthday they got engaged, promising Uther and Ygraine they wouldn't marry for several years.
The Pendragons didn't care that Merlin was essentially a gardener, he could easily care for their daughter and as long as they were happy that was all that mattered. Several of their acquaintances were surprised until Ygraine pointed out that her daughter was marrying an Earls brother, which was more than their children were.
EPILOGUE
It was Merlin Emrys's twenty first birthday and he had never felt so nervous in his life. This was worse in his opinion that flying! He was sat on the edge of his bed in his boxers and nothing else. The door opened Merlin looked up to see Arthur grinning at him "Why am I having two weddings" Merlin asked with a whine I his voice.
Arthur laughed "Because you wanted to marry in your religion and now you have to marry in a registrar's office" The ceremony the day before had been in the Hindu temple and had followed a very set pattern. (see footnote) Merlin had continued with his religious practices and had wanted to marry there, He hadn't realized he would also have to marry in a Registry Office for it to be legal in the UK. Morgana had been more than please to have two events. Merlin thought she had looked beautiful in her white gold and red outfit. He had gone out with Ygraine beforehand and Morgana had worn all the usual golden jewelry. She had been pleased that she had not had to convert to Hinduism. But had thrown herself into the ceremonies but today was the more 'normal' British Wedding.Although married as far as he was concerned the couple hadn't spent the last night together as Ygraine insisted it would be bad luck. Everyone had been happy to go to two ceremonies so it hadn't been a problem. Iseldir and Will had flown over from Mumbai. In fact Iseldir had acted as Merlin's father for the day.
Arthur handed Merlin his trousers "Come on get ready or we will be late" he chivvied Merlin with a grin.
"I should never have had you as my best man!" Merlin moaned, Arthur had been chosen to stop his brother's arguing, both had wanted the honor. Arthur had taken his duties seriously and was now making Merlin dress in his white suit. Not the Indian style of the day before but a white tuxedo. Once he was in the suit it was soon time to be leaving.
"Have you got the rings?" Merlin demanded.
"Of course" Arthur grinned now come on lets go." He helped his friend out to the car and to the registry office near the Pendragons home.
As they waited Gwaine and Mordred stood with their brother. They looked so happy for him. Gwaine had married the year before to a wonderful girl called Elena, so he had sympathy for Merlin's nerves. His had been in the church on the estate but at least he had only had one wedding. As Morgana entered Merlin looked at her with love in his eyes. She was wearing a white dress this time and looked stunning with Uther walking at her side.
The wedding was soon over and they left for the Pendragons for the second reception. But this time they decided on a meal only as they had all celebrated in full the day before. Before the meal they had the speeches Arthur stood up and told everyone how he had found Merlin and how he had been welcomed back to the family, adding just enough tales to make Merlin blush. "I end this speech to say Merlin was always part of our family but now he is by marriage and no one is happier than me. I had lots of stories I could tell you but my wife would kill me" he glanced across at Gwen who he had finally married six months previously "I just hope he can keep the harpy, that is my sister, in line. Now a toast to the bride and groom Morgana and Merlin"
Merlin and Morgana stood up together Merlin swallowed a couple of times before saying "We thank you all for coming both yesterday and today." He glanced lovingly at Morgana "This has been the happiest time of my life, I am a lucky man. Thank you all also for the donations to the charity. Thank you" he turned and kissed Morgana she then added "I am the luckiest girl alive. To think we might never have found each other again if it hadn't been for my brother Arthur Thank you"
Gwaine and Uther then said a few words before they all sat down to eat. After the meal the bride and groom set off for their new home having decided not to honeymoon immediately. Merlin was going to take Morgana to India in month, but now the weather would be too hot. They went to the house Gwaine had given them on the estate as a wedding present. Uther and Ygraine had helped furnish it for them, Morgana had enjoyed the shopping. Merlin had used some of his inheritance to buy some of what was needed
After they watched the newlyweds leave Gwaine turned to Mordred "Just you now! When are you going to marry Kara?" Mordred had been seeing the same girl since he was fourteen.
"Not yet" Mordred said with a grin.
Uther and Ygraine smiled at each other and Uther said "We really are a family now"
Gwaine nodded "Yep, we were torn apart all those years ago now we are a family reborn. I think Mum and Dad would be happy with what's happened"
Ygraine grinned "They would, your mum always said Morgana would make a good future husband for Merlin how she used to play with him. She was right. I hope they will be very happy together"
For your information: The Hindu marriage ceremonyThe ceremony begins with the Hasta Melaap when the bride's right hand is placed into the groom's right hand and the priest chants the holy verses.
The bride and groom are joined together by a piece of white cloth ‐‐ one end tied to the corner of the bride's sari, the other to the groom's scarf
A fire is lit in the centre of the Mandap to invite the fire god to witness the union and the right hands of the couple are tied together with blessed thread, their palms filled with rice, oats and leaves to signify wealth, health, happiness and prosperity. These are then offered to the fire.
The couple then perform the Lawan Phere, a ritual in which they walk around the fire four times. Each time round, the stop to touch a stone in their path that symbolises obstacles in life that they will overcome together.
This symbolises the four human goals in Hinduism ‐‐ in the context of a wedding, these are: faith, financial stability, procreation and liberation of the soul.
The ceremony itself follows a very strict pattern. It contains no readings, but does involve music, chosen by the bride and groom. This music is usually a mixture of the latest Bollywood film songs, and some older soundtracks, the lyrics of which are all very romantic.
The most important part of the marriage ceremony is the Saptapadi. Facing north, the bride and groom take seven steps together. Each step calls upon God to bless the couple for strength, food, progeny, family, prosperity, happiness and life‐long bride comes to the groom's left, which symbolically leaves his right side free to take on the world.
Then follows Saubhagya Chinya when the groom places sindoor (holy red powder) on the bride's forehead to welcome her into his life as his partner. He also gives her a necklace of black beads ‐‐ a mangalsutra ‐‐ as a symbol of his love, integrity and devotion towards her.
The bride and groom then feed each other sweetmeats as a promise of fidelity and to love and cherish each other forever. This is known as Anna‐Prashana.
The service ends with the Ashirwaad ‐‐ blessings from the priest, parents and close relatives. They are followed by friends who wish to add their congratulations. after the ceremony
After the ceremony, the bridal party sits down to a lavish dinner, after which, the bride and groom play a number of games. During the ceremony, they will have had threads with knots tied to their wrists. They must attempt to untie these knots, which represent the importance of having patience with one another. Another game involves a large bowl filled with red‐coloured milk, in which a number of items have been placed, including a coin. The bride and groom attempt to find the coin and the finder is said to be the person who will be dominant in the marriage.
After dinner, the bride says goodbye to her family and friends. This is a very emotional time, particularly if the bride is emigrating or moving far away from her childhood home. The groom leads the bride to the car, and once in the car, the bride's brother or a male relative covers her with a shawl and wishes her well. The couple stop off at a temple to offer their prayers and seek blessings, before heading off to the groom's home.
Hindu wedding traditions
Traditionally, the Hindu wedding ceremony does not involve service sheets. However, if the couple have invited non‐Hindu guests, it is usual to have brief translations of the service itself and what it signifies.
Guests can wear what they wish, though it is best to avoid black. Men dress in suits or traditional dress. Female guests wear suits, dresses or saris. It is no longer necessary for the women to cover their heads, though elderly and orthodox Hindus still tend to do so.
The bride traditionally wears a fine, white sari with red and gold embroidery, traditionally given her by her maternal uncles. During the celebrations, she will put on a red sari, a gift from the groom's family. The white sari represents purity, the red sari fertility. The bride wears ornaments in her hair, her arms are covered with bracelets and she wears a gold band around her waist and anklets of gold on her feet.
The groom wears a lounge suit or traditional Indian dress, which consists of a Nehru jacket and traditional trousers in white or ivory.
The day before the wedding
The day before the wedding, the bride has the palms of her hands and her feet painted with elaborate henna designs. This event is like a hen party, though without alcohol. The bride's family and friends have their hands and feet painted too, though the focus is on celebration, rather than decoration.
A canopy of flowers is put up at the venue for the wedding.
The priest who will officiate at the service conducts the Ghari Puja on the eve of the wedding, in both bride and groom's homes. This is a ritual of prayers to welcome in the new life together, to get rid of evil and to confer prosperity on the couple.
On the big day
It is considered unlucky for the groom to see the bride on the wedding day. He arrives at the wedding venue in a cavalcade of cars, where a number of rituals are performed. When the groom gets out of his car, the bride's mother and family welcome him. The bride's mother places a small round red dot on his forehead and gives him a garland of flowers, to signify her approval of the wedding. In a traditional game, the bride's female relatives and friends try to snatch the garland from his neck and to steal his shoes. They then demand a 'ransom' for their release.
The bride's mother then accompanies him to the Mancap or canopy where the ceremony is conducted. His sisters follow behind him shaking a metal pot covered by a white handkerchief containing rice and coins to ward off evil spirits.
Before entering the venue, the groom steps on a small terracotta bowl, to signify his virility and strength. While he waits for the bride to arrive, his feet are washed by her mother and father.
The bride is accompanied to the wedding venue by her maternal uncles. She is either carried by them or walks between them. She enters to music of her own choice.
The ceremony begins with the Hasta Melaap when the bride's right hand is placed into the groom's right hand and the priest chants the holy verses.
The bride and groom are joined together by a piece of white cloth ‐‐ one end tied to the corner of the bride's sari, the other to the groom's scarf
A fire is lit in the centre of the Mandap to invite the fire god to witness the union and the right hands of the couple are tied together with blessed thread, their palms filled with rice, oats and leaves to signify wealth, health, happiness and prosperity. These are then offered to the fire.
The couple then perform the Lawan Phere, a ritual in which they walk around the fire four times. Each time round, the stop to touch a stone in their path that symbolises obstacles in life that they will overcome together.
This symbolises the four human goals in Hinduism ‐‐ in the context of a wedding, these are: faith, financial stability, procreation and liberation of the soul.
The ceremony itself follows a very strict pattern. It contains no readings, but does involve music, chosen by the bride and groom. This music is usually a mixture of the latest Bollywood film songs, and some older soundtracks, the lyrics of which are all very romantic.
The most important part of the marriage ceremony is the Saptapadi. Facing north, the bride and groom take seven steps together. Each step calls upon God to bless the couple for strength, food, progeny, family, prosperity, happiness and life‐long bride comes to the groom's left, which symbolically leaves his right side free to take on the world.
Then follows Saubhagya Chinya when the groom places sindoor (holy red powder) on the bride's forehead to welcome her into his life as his partner. He also gives her a necklace of black beads ‐‐ a mangalsutra ‐‐ as a symbol of his love, integrity and devotion towards her.
The bride and groom then feed each other sweetmeats as a promise of fidelity and to love and cherish each other forever. This is known as Anna‐Prashana.
The service ends with the Ashirwaad ‐‐ blessings from the priest, parents and close relatives. They are followed by friends who wish to add their congratulations. after the ceremony
After the ceremony, the bridal party sits down to a lavish dinner, after which, the bride and groom play a number of games. During the ceremony, they will have had threads with knots tied to their wrists. They must attempt to untie these knots, which represent the importance of having patience with one another. Another game involves a large bowl filled with red‐coloured milk, in which a number of items have been placed, including a coin. The bride and groom attempt to find the coin and the finder is said to be the person who will be dominant in the marriage.
After dinner, the bride says goodbye to her family and friends. This is a very emotional time, particularly if the bride is emigrating or moving far away from her childhood home. The groom leads the bride to the car, and once in the car, the bride's brother or a male relative covers her with a shawl and wishes her well. The couple stop off at a temple to offer their prayers and seek blessings, before heading off to the groom's home.
Hindu wedding traditions
Traditionally, the Hindu wedding ceremony does not involve service sheets. However, if the couple have invited non‐Hindu guests, it is usual to have brief translations of the service itself and what it signifies.
Guests can wear what they wish, though it is best to avoid black. Men dress in suits or traditional dress. Female guests wear suits, dresses or saris. It is no longer necessary for the women to cover their heads, though elderly and orthodox Hindus still tend to do so.
The bride traditionally wears a fine, white sari with red and gold embroidery, traditionally given her by her maternal uncles. During the celebrations, she will put on a red sari, a gift from the groom's family. The white sari represents purity, the red sari fertility. The bride wears ornaments in her hair, her arms are covered with bracelets and she wears a gold band around her waist and anklets of gold on her feet.
The groom wears a lounge suit or traditional Indian dress, which consists of a Nehru jacket and traditional trousers in white or ivory.
The day before the wedding
The day before the wedding, the bride has the palms of her hands and her feet painted with elaborate henna designs. This event is like a hen party, though without alcohol. The bride's family and friends have their hands and feet painted too, though the focus is on celebration, rather than decoration.
A canopy of flowers is put up at the venue for the wedding.
The priest who will officiate at the service conducts the Ghari Puja on the eve of the wedding, in both bride and groom's homes. This is a ritual of prayers to welcome in the new life together, to get rid of evil and to confer prosperity on the couple.
On the big day
It is considered unlucky for the groom to see the bride on the wedding day. He arrives at the wedding venue in a cavalcade of cars, where a number of rituals are performed. When the groom gets out of his car, the bride's mother and family welcome him. The bride's mother places a small round red dot on his forehead and gives him a garland of flowers, to signify her approval of the wedding. In a traditional game, the bride's female relatives and friends try to snatch the garland from his neck and to steal his shoes. They then demand a 'ransom' for their release.
The bride's mother then accompanies him to the Mancap or canopy where the ceremony is conducted. His sisters follow behind him shaking a metal pot covered by a white handkerchief containing rice and coins to ward off evil spirits.
Before entering the venue, the groom steps on a small terracotta bowl, to signify his virility and strength. While he waits for the bride to arrive, his feet are washed by her mother and father.
The bride is accompanied to the wedding venue by her maternal uncles. She is either carried by them or walks between them. She enters to music of her own choice.