Arthur found it hard to fall asleep that night, he couldn't relax knowing he was in a castle filled with bloodsuckers. Especially after their prince had discovered his silver plated weapon. He kept one eye on the door all night until the early hours of the morning arrived and sun began to appear in the windows. Then, finally he was able to sleep.

He awoke around midday most of his knights as well, and they found they were at a loss as to what to do. No vampires would be awake at this time, there would be no council meeting until tonight.

"I say we 'casually' stroll about the castle." Arthur decided finally, "See if we can find anything that could be useful, then tonight we say we will go back to Camelot to discuss with the king and can report all we find."

"The queen said the castle has three times as many levels below as above, I suggest we check them out." Leon nodded.

They were not really sure what they were to find on the lower levels, dungeons and vaults were the only underground area of any castle Arthur had seen. Eventually they found the wide staircases leading down into the earth beneath the lake and for a while they saw nothing but stone wall and stairs until finally it opened up into a series of corridors and high arches.

The floors were polished marble and every wall had paintings and weavings adorning it, lit up by multiple candles and chandeliers. Were it not so eerily silent it would have been beautiful, there were many oak doors and more twists and turns, it was like a maze. They continued in a straight line, to avoid getting lost and headed down to the next level, here the doors were marked with plaques which to Arthur's amazement, appeared to be shops.

'Apothecary'

'Physician'

'Candles'

'Blacksmith'

"We're in the marketplace." Gwaine breathed with a grin, "This is their market! Look, there's even a door marked tannery!"

They traveled down another three levels until the stairs ran out, all the other floors were the same as the first, plain doors that they didn't dare open. The final floor however had large bolts over the doors, no doubt these were the vaults, they didn't touch those either. Not that they could of even if they wanted to, the doors were bolted tight.

"I get that all the vampires are sleeping." Elyan whispered as they made their way back up, "But where are all the people? Surely they don't all sleep during the day too."

"Well, they need to serve the vampires at night, maybe they do sleep in the day as well." Leon shrugged.

"But what about guards? I mean, in Camelot we have night watchmen, don't they have day watchmen?" Elyan argued, "We haven't seen a single living, or non-living creature since leaving our rooms. It doesn't feel right."

He had a point, if anything that was in their favor, sneaking into the castle would be easier than thought. Getting across the lake would be difficult though, they had only one small entrance. He pondered this as they made their way back up, surprised to see the sun setting and the castle coming to life once more.

Together they sat under a tree in the large green courtyard, smiling at the human thralls who passed them. Appearing to enjoy the evening as if they had never ventured below. He could tell they were all imagining what the underground market looked like now, with all manner of people milling through it. As the sky turned completely dark the vampires began to join them, talking and laughing.

The group watched as two small children, a boy and a girl appeared and began to chase one another, giggling in a way that seemed almost human. Then their game took a less human turn, the girl crouched down like a cat and sprung on the boy giving him a playful nip with her teeth. Arthur could only watch in awe as the sharpened canines extended so that they protruded from the mouth slightly and the two children continued to nip and growl at one another. It reminded him of the puppies he'd seen one after one of the hounds had a litter.

"Aren't you two a bit old to be playing hide-and-hunt?" Came a voice.

The group watched as the Prince approached the two children with a wry smile, they grinned up at him cheekily. The look was almost insolent, certainly no peasant would look at Arthur that way, they wouldn't dare. The boy stuck his tongue out and Merlin snapped his teeth playfully, causing them both to run off in mock fear and hide behind another tree.

"Oh come on now!" Merlin continued, "I don't bite...much!"

The children burst into a fit of giggles, Arthur couldn't believe what he was seeing. The prince of the vampires, was playing with two common children. Merlin made as if to chase them and the children turned and fled with grins on their faces. Merlin chuckled and the turned to them.

"I'm attending the meeting tonight, we may as well go together." He spoke to them, even holding out his hand to Leon, who was the closest to him, to help him to his feet. Leon declined, hurt flashed across the princes face for a few moments and then disappeared.

They followed him to the meeting room where the council, including Merlin's parents, were gathered and sat down.

They explained their 'plan' to discuss things with their king and return within a few weeks with the verdict, the vampires seemed happy with it.

"Though, I hope you don't mind one small condition." Balinor added slyly and for a moment Arthur could see where Merlin had inherited his cheek.

"Of course not." Arthur replied trying his best to make his smile appear genuine.

"My son, Merlin and his thrall will accompany you and act as a diplomat on our behalf."

That was the last thing Arthur wanted.

That suspicious, nosy vampire traveling with them? No way! Who knows what that sneaky bastard would get p to in the castle at Camelot! But, how could he refuse?

"Our castle would not be safe for him." Leon argued before Arthur could, "It is above ground and there are windows lighting every room, the curtains are not nearly thick enough to block the sun light."

"Merlin would be quite happy spending his days down in your crypts, I'm sure." Hunith smiled.

Arthur couldn't help but notice how all of the spirit he'd seen in the young vampire was suddenly gone, he seemed unhappy and nervous. The message was clear enough, he would not be happy down in a crypt but he'd do it, since he'd been ordered to.

"But traveling." Arthur argued, "We can't safely travel at night, our horses could stumble or we could be ambushed and no matter how fast we ride, it would still take more time than the night has to offer."

"I can travel in the day with my cloak and veil." Merlin spoke seriously, "As long as you ride slowly so it doesn't raise. It will mean spending the night but I'm sure you can manage."

Arthur grit his teeth.

"Of course, we'll set out tomorrow morning."


Sorry I'm cutting this chapter so short but I wanted to start the journey in a new chapter. There WILL be more action in this story I promise! :P Setting the scene is taking longer than I thought is all.