Mythical creatures. Mythical creatures- or Fae- or something had set up camp right outside of Camelot.

Merlin could have told them that was a bad idea. But did anyone listen to Merlin? No. No they did not.

…-…

For some reason, everyone had to go into the new forest full of Fae creatures. Uther wanted to burn the thing down. Arthur and the knights would be the muscle. Merlin was there to carry drinks or something. And Morgana and Gwen were out because they wanted some fresh air. Also Gaius. Maybe Gaius was here to collect herbs. Merlin just didn't know anymore.

…-…

They hadn't been riding long when the forest stopped making noise. Merlin thought that was probably a bad sign.

A moment later, they were surrounded.

The Fae- if they were Fae- looked vaguely humanoid.

They stood on two feet with two arms and the correct number of fingers and eyes and mouths and ears and noses anyways. But they were also different- stretchier than humans. Thin in a way that would be unhealthy for a mortal. Eyes too far apart. Ears and teeth too pointed.

Swords scraped against scabbards as the knights and the royals rushed to defend themselves.

But the Fae did not attack. And the men's horses did not move.

One of the Fae- Merlin thought he looked like the leader, bared his teeth. "You have stolen into my forest," the man hissed, "You have trespassed here. For your transgressions…" he trailed off as his eyes landed on Merlin and widened.

Then he bowed. To Merlin. "My Lord Emrys." He said, "I greet you and your party and welcome you."

Merlin blinked as everyone in both parties turned to him.

Merlin felt like something was pushing against him. He had to keep tight control of his magic most of the time- all of the time- but now it was shoving against the barriers he had made.

"Emrys?" Uther said, his whole face going red as he swung his sword towards Merlin shouting "Sorcerer!"

Merlin squeaked, then flung up a hand, letting magic flow through him and stopping the kings blade.

The Fae smiled. With magic flowing through him, Merlin knew what to say. "Lord Ghaldein." He nodded to the Fae. "I thank you for your hospitality towards me and my people."

Arthur was spluttering now, looking like he couldn't quite decide if he was supposed to join his fathers attack or not. The knights shifted uncomfortably, looking similarly afflicted.

"Lord Emrys," The Fae said, "While I of course would have welcomed you had you come alone, and welcomed your party had they come in peace, the fact remains that Uther has now tried to kill you. As you are our Lord, this puts us in a bit of a difficult situation."

Merlin could see why. He was Emrys, which made him one of the Fae party. He was also Merlin, and so one of the King's party. But, because he had taken responsibility for the king's party, and then the king had attacked one of the Fae's party (Emrys), the Fae would need repayment for their broken trust.

Merlin, being the leader, had some say over where the price would be taken from, but not what the price would be.

"We need a life," The Fae said softly, "A life for broken peace."

Everyone on the Camelot side started shouting and squirming at that. The Fae raised a dismissive hand and all were frozen in place.

"Whose life should we take," The Fae asked, and Merlin found himself sweating.

How was he supposed to know? How was he supposed to choose?

The Fae walked forward through the party and Merlin turned to watch him.

He circled the knights first. "Perhaps one of these?" he asked, "They think they are better than you. They think that you are a mere servant and need to be taught your place. They don't support your friendship with Arthur. And now that they know you have magic- they know that they are supposed to kill you. They fear you."

The Fae slunk forward, circled Gwen once, then moved on to Morgana. "Perhaps her?" he asked, "She almost hates you. Hates that you have magic and you never told her. Never chose to help her with her own magic. Hates that you never trusted her. And, after all, you know what she is to become. Such a great threat." The Fae shook his head sadly, then moved on.

Arthur next. "Perhaps him. He calls you an idiot and a fool and clumsy and useless and cowardly. And you know that you are not. You know that you've saved his life time and time again. You also know that if you tell him, he'll kill you for your magic, something you have no choice but to use. You know it's not entirely his fault he thinks of you as a useless drain on space and appreciate what he is able to give a lowly servant like you- but all the same- it hurts. Doesn't it?"

The Fae finally approached Uther, whose sword was still stuck in the air. "Or Uther." The Fae said, and the slightly playful lift of his voice was gone. It was hard as steel now. "Uther. The hypocrite. The liar. The bloody." The Fae snarled out the last word. "He would use your screams and the screams of all magic users to drown out his own guilt. Do you know why he hates magic?"

Merlin shook his head, feeling peculiarly numb. "He and his wife could not have children together. She was barren. So they went to magic for help. They were told the price, a life for a life. And that was alright for Uther. After all, what was one peasant's death somewhere out there in exchange for his son? But it wasn't a random peasant who died. As his son breathed in his first breathe, his wife breathed her last."

Merlin stared at Uther, who was crying now, tears leaking down a frozen face. "He could not blame himself of course- so he blamed everyone else. Every magic user he came in contact with was killed. Except one."

The Fae moved on and Merlin felt a flash of panic as the man circled Gaius. "Gaius. Who promised to never practice magic again, for the sake of his own life."

Merlin swallowed. "Gaius, who knew your father. Who knows where your father is. Who knows that Balinor would love you if he simply knew you lived. Who has lied to you and kept your father from you anyway."

Merlin looked to Gaius- Gaius who was as frozen as the rest of them, and who was also crying. Why- how- his father… he had a father…

The Fae looked at Merlin, and his expression was oddly gentle. "My Lord Emrys," he said, "You may stay in our forest as long as you wish. But because of Uther's transgression, there must be recompense. You may choose who you may."

And the Fae walked away.