The two men were referred for joint counselling and they both found it useful. Another person was found to stay with Merlin while Arthur was at work, this helped with Merlin anxieties. He knew it was a short term measure but it would help. Arthur went back to work every day but finished by three, which helped him, by taking him away from the situation five times a week, and also helped with the issues he had with self esteem. Arthur worked though his dinner break to make up for leaving early. Although his secretary made sure he had a snack and drinks. Gradually the men managed to rebuild their lives.

When they reached the eighteen month anniversary of the incident their lives were on an up. Merlin was now just using a stick outside. He had started to go out by himself far more, even if only to the local shops. The hallucinations had gradually stopped completely in the daytime, and although Merlin did have the occasional one at night if he got really tired. His speech had also improved and although he still had difficulties in stressful situations on a daily basis he was almost back to normal.

Arthur decided that there was something else he wanted to do to make their lives even better. So one day he took Merlin out for a meal at their favourite restaurant and as they finished their food he stood up and moved in front of Merlin before kneeling at his lover's feet.

"Merlin we have been through so much together and have had our ups and downs but it has made my love for you stronger. You are everything to me and I never want to be apart from you. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?"

Merlin looked down at Arthur, his eyes began to fill and he opened his mouth but no words came out. So in the end he nodded and smiled enough to split his face in two. Then with one major effort he spoke "Yes, oh yes please."

Arthur gathered him up in his arms and all their friends came from round the corner where they had been waiting. There were cheers and wolf whistles as they took it in turns to congratulate the couple.

Merlin looked at Arthur "Sure of yourself or what?"

Arthur smiled back "Who could resist me?"

The wedding its self was a very happy occasion and Percy was the best man, without him the wedding would never have happened, and he was now a friend for life. Merlin managed to go through the whole ceremony without his stick and without fluffing his words.

Merlin might never completely recover from his ordeal and Arthur might never feel happy with Merlin going out by himself. They had been through hell and back and their lives would never be the same again, but they had each other and were stronger for it. What is more they would never take each other for granted again. They had gained so much over the past eighteen months. They now talked through their problems, they also had closer friendships with those around them and Arthur had a fantastic relationship with his father, who now accepted Merlin as part of the family, which was something they may never had had if not for what had happened.

Can't live with you, can't live without you.

had turned into:

Can't live without you and only death will us part.