Merlin followed Arthur into the mountain. He was pleased when the door didn't swing shut behind them, for it would have submerged them fully into total darkness, one more thing putting them at risk. Instead of submitting them to darkness, the room suddenly burst alive with light. Torches, previously hidden in the dark, simultaneously lit. Slowly, the doors closed behind them, giving them plenty of time to slip through should they have wanted to leave.

Merlin looked around, evaluating everything. Every small action was done to make them feel safe, to lure them in, but they still felt tense, bodies ready for an attack. None came.

Arthur relax himself a little, looking around fully. He turned back to Merlin. "Do we just go in? Will no one greet us?"

Merlin lowered his dagger and shrugged. "I suppose we should follow the torches." he said, taking one from the second row from its stand and motioning for Arthur to go first. Arthur clutches his dagger tighter and went ahead, checking every creak and crack in the walls.

The main door led to a corridor, a long one taking them deep into the mountain. They followed it in silence, both worrying of what was to come. Soon enough, the corridor widened slightly, more light then could be expected coming from the area before them.

Arthur motioned for Merlin to slow, while he jogged on a head a bit, sticking close to the wall. Arthur reached the end of the hall and cursed. Merlin quickly saw why.

The hallway led to a room, no door separating the two. The room was teardrop shaped, the thinnest part being where Arthur and Merlin now stood, looking inside. Everything was white marble, including a large throne seated at the other end of the room. The throne itself was striking, the outside all jagged pieces that Merlin was sure would be dangerous to the touch. However impressive it was, it would never overshadow the man sitting on the throne itself. Although he had a throne, he did not play at being a king, with no crown sitting on his head.

Arthur straightened himself and looked back at Merlin, who nodded. The two strode into the room side by side. The walls of the room were completely smooth, with no breaks in it at all, safe for the entrance. They connected smoothly with the floor and ceiling, which also appeared to be each one piece. Being in this room gave Merlin the impression of being trapped inside a box, except for a massive hole in the ceiling that went all the way up into the mountain and out through the top. The tunnel must have been thousands of feet tall, a feat only accomplished with magic. It would be impossible to climb down, the rock as smooth as everything else in the room, and no rope could be easily made that long. The hole provided the light Merlin had seen from the hall.

As they approached the man on the throne, everyone eyed each other. Arthur and Merlin looked upon the man on the throne. He was more of a boy than was to be expected, with a young face barely older than Arthur's and a healthy head of brown hair. He looked down at them from his throne with curious eyes, ones that Merlin would never forget. They were an unearthly green that almost glowed. In fact, everything about the man was unearthly. He was thin and tall, even sitting in his chair Merlin could see that. High cheekbones and long neck, he was handsome and strange looking all at once.

Arthur was the first to speak. "Are you Blythe?" his words echoed off the walls, his tone sharp.

Merlin hadn't realised that he and this man had been staring at each other until the man turned away and divert his attention to Arthur. He cocked his head slightly and looked upon Arthur as if he was a small child. "Of course." Blythe said, his voice low and musical. It was slightly hoarse with disuse, but he didn't even seem to notice.

"You called for me, and I have answered. I wish to know why you have brought this suffering upon my people. Have I offended you?" Arthur said darkly.

Blythe smiled. "Our crossing of paths has long been foretold, young king," Merlin felt shivers crawl up his back at the man's words as he continued, "it is a pleasure to meet you King Arthur." Blythe said, nodding to Arthur. "And to meet you, young Emrys."

Arthur's head wiped round, looking at Merlin. Merlin forced himself not to react, although he felt a certain amount of fear within him as the green eyes turned to him. Merlin held the eye contact and spoke as calmly as he could. "I fear you have been mistaken, my lord. My name is Merlin." he said, bowing slightly.

Amusement slid across Blythe's features and a smile rested upon his lips. "Of course, my apologies. Well met, Merlin." he said, nodding to him.

Arthur watched the exchange curiously. "Why did you assume such a thing of my servant? Who is this Emrys?"

Blythe looked to Arthur again, still smiling. "Emrys is one you would do well to educate yourself on. It is said he will become one of the most powerful sorcerers to roam the earth. He is good, and prophecies foretell a crossing of paths between you and him."

Arthur's face darkened. "Then I must prepare myself."

Merlin felt a sinking feeling settle in his stomach, but Blythe only laughed. "You may think differently when the time comes. Now, what brings you to my home?" he said, his face a mask of confidence and amusement. He had turned his attention back to Merlin, looking him over curiously.

Arthur's jaw dropped. "Are you joking? It was you who have caused my people to starve and die." he said, accusingly.

Merlin winced at his tone, afraid Arthur would anger the great man before him. But Blythe only blinked. "I know what I have done, but what will you do?"

Arthur seethed, but before he could answer, Merlin stepped forward. "We have come to try to negotiate and peace between us. Camelot has never meant you harm, and we wish for you to release its people from the torture you put upon them." he said, his voice strong and sure, all anger removed from it.

Merlin did hate the man before him. He knew what Blythe would ask for, and he dreaded it with everything in him. Blythe was everything Merlin detested in a sorcerer and human being. His magic was used for his own personal amusement and gain, selfish and hurtful.

Blythe tilted his chin up slightly, still looking at Merlin. "I can feel your knowledge, Merlin. You know my ways, I have seen it in you. Show me the torch you have chosen to light your way." he said, a strange lit in his voice.

Merlin looked down at the object in his hand then held it up. Blythe called it to him with magic, mumbling some words. The torch rose from Merlin's hands and hovered over to him, where Blythe took it in his hands and inspected it. Arthur and Merlin exchanged glances, Arthur looking none too happy at such an open display of magic.

Blythe nodded, more to himself then to anyone, and said a few words, causing the torch to disappear. He looked between the two of them. "Many have been killed in the past for taking what I do not offer of them."

"The torch?" Arthur asked, his expression taut.

Blythe nodded. "Your servant is smarter than you give him credit for. But I grow weary of this, we have come to speak of business, so we shall." his face changing into a mask of knowledge and amusement. This was the part he loved, the part he lived for.

Arthur nodded sharply. "I've been told you will demand a price for the release of my people."

Blythe nodded. He looked over at Merlin. "Do you know what I ask?" he said, a smile on his lips.

Merlin kept his expression purposefully curious and suspicious, feeling Arthur's eyes on him again. "No, my lord." he said, steeling his mind against the sorcerer, knowing that if Blythe was able to reach his thoughts, he'd be able to force his way deeper into his mind.

Blythe smiled and looked back to Arthur. "Virginity." he said simply.

Arthur looked baffled, blushing slightly although he did his best to ignore it. "Virginity?" he said, astonished.

Blythe just smiled. Arthur continued. "I am unable to give you this gift." he said, uncertain, "Is there something else I could offer you?"

The sorcerer shook his head. "It need not be yours, but it must be willing, and you must be the one to gift it to me." he said.

Arthur began to pace. "Will you give me time to go and fetch someone willing to offer you this and return?" he said.

"Of course." Blythe said.

Arthur stopped pacing. "And you will lift the curse in the mean time?"

The man on top of his throne smiled. "No."

Arthur took a couple steps towards him. "My people will die, I don't have time to return in time to save them."

Merlin stepped forward, looking only at Blythe. "I offer my own." he said, keeping his voice as steady as he could manage it.

Arthur looked shocked. "Now hang on a second, Merlin." he turned to Blythe. "Might we speak for a moment in the privacy of your corridor?"

A smile settled on the man's young face, but Merlin knew he had been playing this game, asking this same thing of people for years. "Please do, take your time."

Arthur grabbed Merlin's forearm and all but dragged him from the room. Once they were out of ear shot, Arthur released him and began pacing. There was silence for a couple heartbeats and Merlin felt oddly peaceful at having finally said what he had known he would have to say from the second he read of the rumours surrounding Blythe's price. He had hid that book from Gaius and made up his mind quickly.

Arthur turned to him. "You can't be serious."

Merlin forced a smile. "I'm serious, Sire."

Arthur began pacing again. "No, we'll get him to ask for something else, there must be something else."

"There is nothing else, you know this. People will die if we return home, hundreds, if not thousands."

Arthur pointed a finger at him accusingly. "You knew." he said.

Merlin nodded, his face slightly sad. "I wouldn't subject anyone else to such a thing."

"Merlin!" Arthur growled. "He could kill you."

Merlin shook his head. "He did not ask for my life, he is a man of his word. Twisted, yes. But he shall keep his word."

"No, absolutely not. Come Merlin, we're leaving." Arthur said, turning to leave, his cape flowing around his body as he stalked off. Merlin didn't move. "You have no other choice." Merlin called, "We could end this now!"

Arthur stopped, and turned back to look at him, his eyes heavy with regret and unhappiness. "Are you sure, Merlin? Say no, and we will leave this instant." he said, walking back over to him.

Merlin gave a small smile, looking at his feet. "I'm sure."

Arthur put a hand on his shoulder. Merlin looked up at him. "You're really a virgin, Merlin?" Arthur said, smiling lightly.

Merlin laughed and shook Arthur's hand off. "Come off it." he said.

Arthur's expression darkened again. "Tell me what I must say, then."

Merlin nodded, expression sober again. He talked him through the words he must say. Arthur nodded and looked over at him, standing side by side at the door. "The kingdom owes you a great debt, Merlin."

"I'd prefer the kingdom never found out." Merlin said, trying to smile, but not quite managing it.

Arthur nodded. "We shall fabricate a great story to honour you with. Maybe a tale of how you had to cook him a meal and he was wowed into releasing our kingdom." Merlin didn't smile at the joke. Arthur sighed. "I shall wait for you where we left the horses?"

Merlin nodded, and they entered the room together. Blythe sat on his throne, smiling softly as always. "And so?" he called to them across the room.

Arthur approached the throne, Merlin standing slightly behind. "On behalf of the kingdom of Camelot, I, Arthur Pendragon, offer you this gift in exchange for the release of the people and all else that resides in Camelot, of the curse you've placed on them."

Blythe closed his eyes, his face breaking out into a full smile. Merlin couldn't help but notice how handsome he was. He opened his eyes and looked down at the two of them. "Good. Will you take it from him now?"

Merlin's jaw dropped in pure shock, and Arthur gaze was pure hatred. Blythe seemed pleased by both reactions. Blythe cocked an eyebrow. "You didn't think I would take it, did you?"

"No, you can't mean that you want Arthur to-" Merlin couldn't even finish the sentence. He felt stunned.

"Oh yes." Blythe said, sliding forward in his chair, leaning his elbows against his knees and resting his chin on his hands, grinning down at them.

Merlin turned to Arthur, a rush in his words. "I didn't know, I swear I didn't." he said.

Arthur was at a loss for words. Blythe laughed. "You've spoken the words, you've promised me my gift. Would you take that away from me?"

Merlin stepped forwards to protest, but Arthur held his hand up, silencing Merlin. "I..." he said carefully. "Is there no other way?"

Blythe straightened up. "No." he said, his tone final.

Arthur's jaw worked, and he looked down at the floor thinking hard. Finally he looked up. "For my kingdom, I shall do this." He said, his tone certain.

Merlin seethed, hating Blythe even more. What made it worse was when the man looked over at him. "Then it is settled." His eyes bore into Merlin's. "There is something else you must offer to me, you know what it is?" he said, cocking an eyebrow.

Merlin nodded. Blythe would ask Merlin to perform magic for him, Merlin knew this. He was grateful the man didn't ask out right.

Arthur looked between them curiously. "And what is that?"

Merlin looked over at him evenly. "Nothing of importance." he said, them looking back at Blythe, conveying with his eyes that he knew what he had to give.

Blythe nodded. "Can I offer you a room with a bed? It would be more comfortable for us all."

"No." Merlin said at the same time as Arthur said "Us all?"

Blythe looked amused. "Yes, I will watch. I must ensure it is done."

Arthur ground his teeth. "Will you spread rumour of what is to happen on this day?" he said, struggling to keep the hatred from his voice.

Blythe smiled kindly. "I will not. I never leave my home, and I never spread rumours, nasty things that they are."

"Then how is it people know of what gifts you desire?" Merlin said darkly.

Blythe laughed. "That comes off the tongues of those who keep bad company. I don't think we can find any that in this room."

Arthur and Merlin exchanged a look. Blythe just laughed. "Would you like that room?"

Merlin denied it at the same time as Arthur accepted it. They looked at each other, then Arthur turned to Blythe. "Yes. We thank you for this offer and accept it." he said, his tone final.

Merlin sighed, knowing that this choice would have consequences later. Blythe nodded and rose from his throne, coming to stand next to the two men. He was about the same height as Merlin. "Then follow me." he said with a smile, looking directly at Merlin.

Merlin shivered and followed the man, Arthur walking at his side. He turned to Merlin, his smile of reassurance forced and faked.

AN. Sorry, next chapter will have the.. well, you can guess what's to come. Slightly creepy, I now. Terribly sorry. It's not to late to run away now. Believe it or not, I'm making the next chapter somewhat light, God you must think I'm a nut...