Merlin looked at Blythe cautiously. Any man known to have carried more than a simple dagger into the sorcerer's home was known to never return alive. Their bodies would appear close to their home, mutilated and cold. The fingers would be cut from the body, although no one could say if they were cut before they were killed or after. It was to send a message, to warn people of the power that was housed within these mountains.
It was just one of the number of odd rules Blythe kept for those he summoned to his home. Merlin couldn't figure out if they were truly from the fae customs or if they had formed throughout the man's years spent in boredom and exile. Perhaps it was a warped version of both.
Glancing at Blythe, one would never imagine his true age. Thousands of years old, spent in exile. All that power locked away into one man, who lived so far within the mountains. Now, looking at him truly, Merlin could see the age and tiredness in his eyes that came with centuries alone. His inability to leave his lands, after having been imprisoned within through binding spells, allows little room for meeting with people and satisfying any true social wishes he has. Instead he was forced to torment people in order to gain company. The years alone had twister him, changing his desires and ideas of human interaction.
Merlin pitied him. He thought having to hide his secret was hard and lonely, but to be condemned entirely, by both races you came from would be maddening.
Blythe hovered on the outside of his thoughts, sensing and rejecting Merlin's pity. Mostly Merlin felt surprise radiating from the man, having long believed that no one would be able to sympathize with such a being as himself. As Merlin struggled to his feet, Blythe watched with calculating eyes, all of the joy that had been there under an hour ago long gone, along with his sly smile.
"Oh Merlin," he said, his voice thick with sadness, "what am I going to do with you?". His young handsome face seemed to age before Merlin's eyes. Anger filled Blythe's haunting green eyes, but mostly he looked tired. "Everything had been going better than the prophecy had predicted. I tried to ensured nothing like this would happen, but I couldn't foresee this." he said, his voice calm. He began pacing before Merlin, his hands clasped behind his back.
There was something dangerous beneath the words, urging Merlin to keep quiet. He watched Blythe muse, more to himself then to Merlin. Blythe stopped pacing suddenly, looked at Merlin, then spun around, marching over to his chair and sitting upon the throne. He looked down at Merlin as if he were the most complicated puzzle in the world.
Blythe started tapping at his throne rapidly with his index finger. "I promised I wouldn't kill you. You know what I do to those who break my rules, do you not?" he said, speaking down to Merlin.
Merlin nodded, not trusting his voice. He didn't know what to say, because he had never heard of anything like this happening before. Everything had always been black and white with Blythe. You broke the rules, you died.
Blythe pushed himself forwards in his throne. "I did not curse Camelot for the opportunity to meet the great King Arthur." he said, his voice matter of factly. "I did it to meet you." Merlin frowned as Blythe continued. "Our meeting has long been foretold. I was tasked with bringing you both here, and I had a purpose for gifting you both today." Blythe smiled slightly. "You look shocked. The thought never occurred to you? It must have, you're supposed to be a smart boy. You are destined to be the most powerful sorcerer to roam the earth, Merlin. You aren't there yet, but you will be, and my gift will help you." he said, straightening up in his throne, his chin high and proud.
Merlin felt dumbfounded. "You are much more powerful then I am. I wasn't able to lift the curse you set upon Camelot." he said, somewhat reluctantly.
Blythe nodded. "Things change with time, and so shall this."
"And why bring Arthur into this? How is that meant to help me?" Merlin asked.
Blythe looked somewhat unhappy then. "The future was hazy for a while, but the true path became clear. You and Arthur were destined to be cursed with this spell-"
"Cursed? I thought you said it was a gift." Merlin cut in bitterly.
Blythe regarded him through even eyes. "It would have been a curse, should Morgana have been the one to put it over you."
Merlin was surprised at that. "Morgana?"
Blythe nodded. "It was quite clear, if I had not summoned you as I did, when I did, a series of events would have been put in motion to bring about the early demise of the King, starting with that spell."
Merlin blinked slowly, feeling heavy all over. Should Morgana have been the one to put this spell over them, Arthur would most likely discover his secret and would quickly grow to resent Merlin. At least with it presented as it was, they could learn to deal with it together, and Arthur would have Blythe to blame instead of Merlin.
Blythe nodded, having intruded upon his thoughts. "Any chance of Albion would have been destroyed, and it is something I dream of as well. A place where I could find a home within the hearts of the people of this world. I do not wish to be feared forever, but for now it keeps me safe."
Merlin thought over his words for a moment. "The faes locked you in here so you cannot run, but others can still enter your home."
Blythe nodded. "People forget over time, so I must keep reminding them that I am not a being to be reckoned with."
Understanding flooded Merlin, and a renewed sense of pity. Blythe's face twisted into a mask of disgust as he turned away. "These are not words to be repeated. I trust you solely due to the destiny that has been painted before you."
Merlin nodded. Knowing Blythe could sense his thoughts and feelings, he cleared his mind as best he could. "I will come and visit you again." Merlin said with confidence.
Blythe looked surprised, then he laughed. "You are full of surprises, but I believe you are right, we shall meet again."
Merlin smiled. "I hear you sleep for a long period of time, I only hope you are awake in time to see me again."
Blythe settled back into his throne and smiled. "Oh, I know I shall see you again, and can almost see it now. After my slumber, perhaps."
Merlin frowned at that. It was said Blythe could sleep for hundreds of years at a time. He pushed the thought from his mind and approached the throne. Blythe looked at him, that strange smile returning to his face. Merlin lowered his eyes slightly in respect as he spoke. "On behalf of King Arthur and myself, I would like to thank you for the courtesy and kindnesses you have shown us, and for allowing us into your company for a short while." He said, bowing slightly.
Blythe nodded, looking amused. "It was my pleasure." he said, "Although, I find it discouraging that you know so much about me and my customs. I will have to find out how you know so much and destroy those sources."
Merlin laughed and climbed onto Blythe's lap, straddling his thighs lightly. He rested his hands on Blythe's chest and looked up at him. "No, you enjoy it more than you should." Blythe didn't move from under him, even as Merlin leaned in so close he could feel Blythe's breath against his lips. "How are you enjoying my virginity? You didn't even get to reap the benefits of the price you asked."
Blythe laughed. "Another opportunity for that will present itself soon enough. But I saw the chance for something much more... amusing... to transpire today." he said, a wicked grin breaking out across his face. His hands slid down to Merlin's waist and he pulled him down properly on his lap, holding the man closer to him.
Merlin pressed his lips to Blythe's. Blythe's eyelids fluttered closed but Merlin kept his eyes open. He wanted to watch this time. He took in Blythe's young face and tangled his fingers in his thick locks as their lips moved together. There was no drive or passion behind the kiss, only the closing of a deal struck. Despite that, the kiss still stirred something inside Merlin, but as they pulled back, he noticed Blythe showed no sign of anything at all. Unsurprising, considering he rode out an orgasm with nothing more than a closing of his eyes while Merlin had been left overwhelmed and panting.
As Blythe looked at him, sadness filled his eyes. "I still have to punish you." he said.
Merlin tried to push back the sense of panic and disappointment that had risen with his words. It was foolish to think Blythe would spare him this just because they shared a few stories and signs of trust. His rules were law.
Blythe reached up and stroked Merlin's face lightly, causing Merlin to climb off his lap and the throne. Blythe nodded to himself and stood. "I wish it were not so, but it must be. I will put you in a coma for a short period of time, and awaken you once your punishment has been served. It will be less painful for you this way. Do you understand?"
Merlin nodded. "I do." he said sullenly.
"I promised the young King your life, and I shall not break this promise." he said.
Merlin straightened himself up and looked at Blythe evenly. "I'm ready."
Blythe nodded. He muttered some words under his breath and the world darkened around Merlin. Slowly, he became dizzy and slipped into unconsciousness. He dropped like a stone and Blythe made no move to catch him. Instead, Merlin tumbled down the steps of the throne, his clothing catching on the jagged rock that made up the stone and his skin scrapped along it. Blood marked Merlin's path to the heap in which he now laid on the ground. Blythe sighed as he looked down at the limp body. Then, he flicked his wrist and sent Merlin flying across the room, where he proceeded to crash into the wall on the other side of the room.
...
Merlin cried out when he woke up, pain shooting through his body. Blythe was kneeling next to him in the middle of the throne room, holding and bandaging his wrist. Merlin frowned and tried to move it, only to scream in pain as he did. It was broken, he realized, and tried doing an evaluation of everything else before moving again, but found that he couldn't separate all the different pains. His whole body was throbbing, but he was alive.
Blythe pressed a cool damp cloth to Merlin's forehead when he finished with his wrist. He didn't look Merlin in the eye as he spoke, instead going to wrap another part of Merlin's arm. "Your wrist is broken, two of your left ribs are bruised, you hit your head when you fell initially and you're covered in cuts. You should change the dressings in a day if you can." He said, as if it had not been he himself who had done this to Merlin.
Instead of saying it, he nodded and sat up with Blythe's help. He felt dizzy, tired and thirsty, but didn't accept any of the food or water that was offered to him. "I have to get back to Arthur." Merlin said, his mind alright made.
Blythe tired to get him to rest just for a moment longer but Merlin refused. Sighing, Blythe helped him to his feet. Merlin put his arm around Blythe's shoulder and together they walked slowly to the great doors to the hidden castle. The doors swung open and Merlin squinted against the sun that came pouring through them.
Sighing, he pulled himself away from Blythe and bowed stiffly, his body aching worse than he could imagine it ever would. Blythe surprised Merlin by bowing back, then leaning in and kissing him gently on the temple. "It was a great honour to meet you, Emrys." he said. "I look forward to the day when we shall meet again."
Merlin nodded. "And the same to you."
Blythe smiled, "This is as far as I go, but I shall watch and protect you as you cross my land." he said.
"Thank you." Merlin said.
Blythe nodded and extended his arm to Merlin. Merlin took it with his good hand and shook it. As their skin connected, Merlin felt an exchange of energy flow between them. Merlin gasped and Blythe gripped tighter, hurting him slightly but the feeling was lost in the power moving between them. The older man stepped closer and pressed his lips slowly to Merlin's. It was only for a second, but in that moment Merlin felt himself grow less tired and aching.
Merlin nearly cried out when Blythe let go and stepped back, severing the connection. The man smiled and brought his index finger to his lips. "Shh," he said, "go."
Without saying anything, Merlin turned and walked off in the direction where he would find Arthur. Blythe had eased his pain and given him the energy needed to make his way back to his King.
Merlin didn't look back as he stumble across the flat, dead lands, but he could feel an outside presence brushing lightly against his mind, watching and making sure he was safe.
AN. I'm back! So sorry, the computer got back Wednesday and I don't know what happened, I've just felt so off my game recently. Anyways, bye Blythe! The fun now begins. If you have any questions, as some of you did, please ask. I make a point to try and respond without giving anything away. :)