The Lost Prince

Birdie

Ludwig and Matthew met up with the others at a large set of white twin doors. Ludwig stopped and looked at Matthew with a serious brow. Matthew looked up with innocent confused eyes.

"What the matter Ludwig?" He asked.

"What kind of relationship do you have with Gilbert?" Ludwig said brutelly.

"Huh?"

"Lovino has his mind set that you two are in a strange relationship."

Matthew smiled sweetly and looked at the door. He was not embarrassed or afraid he just smiled.

"He's my best friend.... I don't think..... Yeah, I couldn't live with out him." He said honestly.

Ludwig was taken back but he still didn't have the answer he was looking for. However he didn't keep searching, he was satisfied with the young males answer.

Ludwig opened the door swinging it slowly as the room revealed bright white. It took a second for the boys to be able to see what was in the room. When the lights faded it was more than they could ever imagine. Even though Matthew had been there hundreds of times before it was still amazing to him. A silvery cage spread across the very large room with a beautiful gate, it looked well enough to be the entrance of the castle. Inside the cage was full of exotic plantation so that the interesting birds inside could live. Beyond the cage bars they could see the rustling of the leaves, trees shaking and the very loud booming voice of the Prussian king. Matthew slowly open the latch on the cage and quickly just Gestured for Ludwig to walk in. Ludwig swiftly obeyed the gesture and Matthew followed behind. They tried to sneak past the large leaves of the underbrush. However it was like the leaves were alive, they kept catching and snagging at their pants. Even so Ludwig and Matthew seemed unfazed as they searched for the Prussian king, the spaniard, and the twins.

Matthew paused for a second placing his hand behind him to stop Ludwig. Ludwig paused and looked up to what Matthew was looking at. However when he saw what Matthew was looking at his eyes widened, before them was a large black bird, one that he had never seen before. He couldn't believe the Prussian king would have such a beast in this cage. At first he thought that perhaps Gilbert wasn't so nave and that the bird was truly harmless. However when he looked at Matthews face his judgment changed. Matthew looked horrified like looking into a mirror after being mauled by a bear. Even though he was terrified his eyes were steady. He may have been scared, but it seemed that he had known the creature was in the cage. He also seemed to know how to get around the creature. With that slight hope, from the glimpse in Matthews eyes, Ludwig became brave.

Ludwig then whispered in Matthews ear. "What's the plan?"

Matthew swallowed as if he had a rock stuck in his throat, then he looked back at Ludwick. He open his mouth slightly and closed it again when he saw the birds head move.

"Fetch the coins in my back pocket." Matthew whispered.

Ludwig didn't argue, he slowly reached into Matthews back pocket and pulled out three shiny silver coins.

"Toss them." Matthew whispered swiftly.

Ludwig lifted the coins and the caught the birds attention. He waved them around to make sure then he threw them far into the bushes. The large black bird screeched and took fight into the cage. Matthew suddenly grabbed Ludwig's hand and pulled him into the forest as quick as they could. Matthew stopped when he heard Gilbert's voice and they slowly walked out to regroup.

"Mattie!" Gil called excitedly. "What took yah so long..... Why are you panting?"

"You didn't.... Feed..... The bird." Matthew heaved.

"Who? Druse?.... He must be pretty upset." Gil admitted.

"That's the understatement of the year." Ludwig sighed.

"That old vulture can wait, I wanna show you my favourite bird!" Gilbert said. "We were almost there before you guys showed up."

"Don't let our lives stop you." Ludwig sassed.

"I won't. Let's go!" He rushed.

The others followed him deep into the jungle like cage until Gilbert stopped at a tiny cage on a pedestal. The cage had a red velvet sheet over it. The group looked at Matthew for hints but Matthew seemed just as confused.

"Are you ready?"

They all nodded and waited in anticipation. He reached over the cage and tore the sheet off the cage. They all stared wide eyes at the yellow bird. It let out a tiny chirp then loving walked up.

"A chick.... That's your favourite bird?" He said confused.

"Yes, my favourite bird is baby chickens!! This ones name is gilbird!"

"How original." Lovino rolled his eyes.

Gilbert took off the latch and the tiny bird flapped its wings and flew onto Gilbert's head.

"Ain't he cute." Gilbert laughed.

"The cutest!" Feliciano yelled happily.

"What if Druse eats him?" Ludwig asked.

"Druse? Druse doesn't eat chicken that's cannibalism." Gilbert snipped.

But then, the trees begun to rustle and snap. A loud thundering screech bellowing the large cage.

"You should have fed him Gil." Antonio said.

"I've got time, but for now let's um... Leave."

They all started to make their way out. However they were stopped when the bird jumped out in front of them. They stopped dead and looked up at the big black bird. It screeched loudly. Feliciano and Lovino hid behind the bigger males trembling.

"Back up slowly." Matthew whispered.

They all backed up very slowly but Lovino was frozen in fear.

"Lovi!" Antonio whispered.

But Lovino was dead silent. He shivered violently staring up at the bird. The bird stepped forward and started staring Lovi down.

"Lovi!" Feli cried.

The birds head flew up and it screeched. Lovino tried to gasp but his voice was lost. The bird charged his beak but then suddenly Ludwig jumped out and punched the bird out.

"Go!" Ludwig yelled at them.

Antonio grabbed Lovino and they ran to the gate. They all got out, Matthew and Gil quickly locked it and they all breathes heavily.

"You.... Punched...... My bird!" Gilbert huffed.

Ludwig tried to catch his breath but was stopped when he felt to arms wrap around him. He looked down with amazed eyes. There not only stood feliciano but Lovino as well. The two were shaking as they hugged their hero. Lovino let go glared up at him.

"Don't tell anyone I touched you, bastard." He said with a teary red face.

Ludwig smiled. "Not a word."