Guarded, protected (8)
I believe the answer is:
defended
This clue is a double definition.
'guarded' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'protected' is the second definition.
(defending is a kind of protecting)
(Other definitions for defended that I've seen before include "Protected from harm" , "Tried to justify" , "Protected or supported against attack" , "Represented the accused in a lawsuit" , "Guarded" .)