Set sometime in the three missing years when Arthur is King.

I don't own Merlin.


Arthur and Merlin rode silently across the country side together, Merlin slightly behind Arthur. Every once in a while Arthur would look back, to find Merlin staring off at something, his expression sullen and worried. They had been riding for two days now, their destination nearly upon them.

Merlin's face was wary, eyes looking around at every sound, unhappy about riding in the open. His magic was at the ready, a number of potential spells at the edge of his mind. Not that Arthur knew, Merlin suspected his King thought he had his mind on Gaius back at Camelot. The kingdom had gone weeks with little food and was now taking a heavy toll on everyone back at home. The water was dirty, and fields were weak, producing little. To make matters worse, a letter had arrive for the King, attached to an arrow that was buried deep in the back of one of Arthur's knights. The knight had been found hanging from a tree on the outskirts of Camelot.

Arthur's fear that sorcery had been involved was brought to life when he read the letter. Inside, in neat lettering, they found a short message and a signature. It read "Come pay my price or accept your people's sacrifice". As ominous as the message was, it was the name that followed the warning that put fear in Merlin's heart. He and Gaius had spent the day filling Merlin's mind with information on the man, in an attempt to prepare him for the task ahead. All the preparation in the world could not help. This man was a sorcerer, said to be thousands of years old. Years passed in the blink of an eye to him, his sleeps lasting decades at a time. And when he woke, he grew bored. He felt greatness in men and made it his duty to test them. Now his eyes had fallen on Camelot and King Arthur.

"So Merlin," Arthur said, calling back to him, "tell me about this...Blythe character". His tone was teasing, as if they could handle this task, as if it were just a trip to the lower town. It was meant to reassure Merlin, but it had the opposite effect on the man. Arthur knew Merlin was already upset that they hadn't taken any knights with them. Gwaine, Percy and the rest had been more than willing to come, but Arthur refused. When the food became scarce, raids started, first in the lower town, then spread right up to the foot of the castle. Everyone was needed to keep the city folk in line, and ensure their safety. They had tried writing to neighbouring kingdoms for aid and supplies, but no reply ever came. Merlin suspected the ravens were all being killed.

"Blythe is dangerous, sire, not a joke." Most of the books that Merlin and Gaius had found information in were forbidden within the kingdom, so Merlin couldn't reveal all he knew to Arthur. He hoped that when the time came, he would just be able to do the right thing.

"No he's not." Arthur admitted. At least he understood the danger everyone was in. A man that old had power beyond what Merlin had. He knew he hadn't fully grown into his powers yet, and he could still expect more from his magic, but he could feel the magic this Blythe held. Merlin tried everything he could on the crops and the water, but nothing worked.

"Doesn't Blythe mean merry?" Arthur said, turning back to Merlin and cocking an eyebrow. Merlin shrugged. Arthur sighed and turned back, "Another one of your 'feelings', Merlin?"

"Yes Sire" Merlin said, his expression grave.

Arthur sighed. "I think I feel it too."

"You know I have found some information on the man." Merlin said.

"Yes, yes. Honestly, Merlin, you can't expect me to abide by some of these odd customs the man follows."

"You must. As soon as we reach his land, we are at his mercy."

Arthur slowed his horse until they rode side by side. "It's ridiculous." Arthur said, his eyes heavy with discontent. "How am I meant to defend myself if I'm not allowed to bring my horse, or my weapons onto his lands? How can he respect a man who makes himself weak and an easy target to his enemies?" he said, watching Merlin for his response.

Merlin was just as unhappy about it all. "We are each allowed one dagger. His land is sacred to him, and we must not insult him by disrespecting it."

Arthur nearly growled, his fists tightening around the reins of his horse. "He disrespected me when he started killing my people."

Merlin nodded. He could feel Blythe's magic all around him, and suspected his own magic would be their only saving grace. He wondered if this would be it, if Arthur would finally learn his secret. His body felt heavy at the thought. If Arthur were to ask him what was wrong, he would probably say he was just worried for Gaius, which was true as well. Gaius was old and sick when Merlin had left him. Everyone was sick, and became weak and tired. No one was above the hunger, Arthur had made sure that even the nobles gave their food up and had had the castle kitchen give out food in the courtyard. Merlin and Arthur took little for themselves, resolving to hunt and leave what they could for the people. But even the hunting was thin and what little they did catch was dying and scrawny.

"You must remember that no matter how hungry and thirsty you are, you mustn't accept any food from this man. Should you do so, by the ancient rights he lives his life by you will be his forever." Merlin said. Dying fields surrounded them, leaves thin and dirt dry. There hadn't been rain since the hunger had started.

Arthur snorted. "You've told me this already, Merlin."

"Good, don't forget it." Merlin said. Mountains loomed ahead of them, their destination. In front of them was a desert-like terrain, with a small outcropping of trees before the grass turned to sand. It was all very sinister looking. They were a long ways from Camelot.

As they reached the outcrop of trees, Merlin felt a presence so strong he felt as if he had hit something physically. He yanked back on the reins of his horse suddenly, causing the animal to whinny. Arthur stopped and looked back at him. He was in the shade of the trees, a welcome comfort from the hard ride through the open field under the sun.

"We are here." Merlin said, climbing off his horse. Arthur didn't follow his lead, instead, looked across the open dead grounds to the mountains.

"He's up there?" Arthur said, his eyes on the looming pieces of land.

"Yes." Merlin said, bringing his horse over to a tree and tying it there. The outcrop had to have at least twenty trees, all growing thick and tall. It was very out of place next to the dead fields and desert before them. Merlin suspected it was kept with magic, but knew that it wasn't part of the sorcerer's land. A small pond lay inwards a little, and Merlin filled his water skins, knowing this would be the last water he would be allowed to drink freely until they returned.

Arthur hopped off his horse and tied it next to Merlin's. "I don't like this. I want this to be done quickly, we go in, see what he want and leave. Understood?" There was no chance of spending the night here, sleeping and gathering their strength before facing their enemy. The people at Camelot were dying now, and a night's rest would only bring more death.

Merlin nodded. "It might be... best if I were the one to speak to him. I can go in, see what he wants and come back once we know it's safe. He has many strange customs we haven't the time to discuss. Blythe is old and has seen much." Merlin said, lowering his eyes respectfully, allowing the King to think over his words.

"And wouldn't he be insulted by being sent a servant when he asked for a King?" Arthur said, holding his head high.

"I worry for your life, Sire. It is worth ten of mine." Merlin said, looking across to the mountains. His magic would lead him to the hidden entrance.

Arthur reached over and put a hand on Merlin's shoulder, bringing the man's attention back to his face. "We will do this together. I will not hide behind my servant."

Merlin looked at him for a long minute and finally nodded. "Please let me help, though. Don't throw away your kingdom because of any rash actions or thoughts. This man is said to be... a lover of physical torture and game play that we are not accustom to."

Arthur nodded. "I trust you."

"Then let's go." Merlin said, forcing a smile.

Arthur didn't return it, worry etched into his face. He unloaded all of his weapons onto his horse and kept only a thick dagger. Merlin in turn took his own dagger, one Gaius had given him with a serious expression on his face. This dagger was thin, and etched with magical ruins meant to help even the weakest fighter stand a chance against foes.

Together they left the horses and trudged across the sandy lands. The ground was hard beneath their feet, and nothing grew. The second they stepped off the grass, Merlin felt a presence envelope them. His mind was his own, but there was a feeling of being watched. "How do you know of all this?" Arthur asked him, feeling nothing out of the ordinary.

Merlin's eyes flicked around, trying to shake the feeling or find its source. "Gaius told me." he said, only half lying.

"He told you where to find the entrance as well?" Arthur said, sounding sceptical.

"Yes." Merlin said. He had taken the lead and was fighting to keep the irritation from his voice. That wasn't true, but he felt himself being pulled towards something, knowing deep within himself it was the door. He had learned a great many things about this man, nothing which he actually liked. The sorcerer grew bored and curious, using both of these feelings as an excuse to cause panic and mayhem, them demanding things from great men. This hadn't happened for over a hundred years, making Blythe more myth than man. It seems he had woken from his slumber. Merlin knew of the things he asked for, a dreaded it with everything within him.

They walked for an hour in silence, the two wary of everything. The mountains seemed to grow as they approached. They were now so close that Merlin felt his legs carry him upwards now, peaks and cracks appearing around him.

He could practically feel tension and irritation radiating off of Arthur. Merlin turned to him. "We are almost there." he said. Arthur just nodded, his face stony. Merlin could feel the pull even more now, it had grown stronger with each step. It was a feeling that enveloped his body, warming it slightly in a pleasant way, odd for what they would soon be facing.

Finally, they came to a path leading up into the mountains. The watching eyes he couldn't see's gaze felt heavier than it ever had in this spot. The surprisingly worn path was framed by two large columns, crumbling with age but still beautiful in a haunting way. They were stark white and taller than trees, perfectly straight. Carved into the marble pillars were symbols and runes, all in the ancient language.

Arthur looked at them suspiciously, but Merlin found them oddly reassuring. They looked at each other and proceeded to climb the path, Arthur taking the lead. Merlin let him, having no doubt that this path would lead them to the door to the hidden palace.

The path eventually turned to stairs. Merlin was panting long before Arthur gave any sign of fatigue, and by the time they reached the top, even Arthur looked tired. They both knew what the climb was meant to do. They felt weakness in their bodies from their tired feet to a dizzy feeling in their mind. Merlin pulled out his water skin and took a long drink. Arthur did the same. They stood before great double doors, twice the size of the two men. They were carved into the mountain, but were smooth and polished instead of jagged. There was nothing else, no decor, no writing and no guards to greet them.

"Are you ready?" Arthur said, putting away his water and pulling out his long dagger. Merlin nodded and did the same.

Arthur gave him a twisted smile, and pushed against the doors. Nothing happened. Arthur frowned and pushed harder. Merlin shook his head and called to Arthur, who stopped. "The door demands a sacrifice." Merlin said, his voice flat.

"What kind of a sacrifice?" Arthur said, his frown deepening.

Merlin made a small cut in the pad of his thumb and watched as the blood welled up. Arthur's eyes filled with understanding. He raised his dagger to do the same, but Merlin just shook his head again. "It only needs the blood of one man." He said, a small smile playing at his lips.

Merlin pressed his bleeding hand up against the door. The doors groaned loudly and slowly swung open. Inside was pitch black. Arthur looked in, and sighed heavily. "He really wants to put you at a disadvantage by bringing you here."

Merlin nodded, liking this all less and less.

Arthur chuckled and clapped Merlin on the back. "Not afraid of the dark, are you Merlin?" he said, entering the dark room. He was quickly swallowed up by the dark, his smile the last thing to fade into the nothingness. No, Merlin though warily, I'm not afraid of the dark. I'm afraid of what hides within it.


AN. Spoiler! chapters will have...

It's not non-con... it just might make some of you uncomfortable or trigger some feelings? I want to cover my bases here, I don't want to upset anyone because they weren't aware of what was to come.. /: