Lost in Albion 3 (Merlin) - Completed

Chapter 8: The Search

Chapter 8

Merlin beams internally as he walks with Gaius, making sure all the wounded have been treated. The siege has ended, Cenred's men fleeing back into the forest for their lives. Morgana is probably still unconscious down in the tombs and he knows he should tell Arthur as soon as this whole thing calms down.

Knights walk past, one he knows as Sir Leon who is assisting a limping soldier to the infirmary. He actually did it. He destroyed the staff and brought an end to the siege.

Arthur is around somewhere, probably talking to his father about their victory. In fact, Gaius had just come back from treating the King's leg wound. Arthur has barely been hurt, just a scratch on his arm which is more than Merlin could hope for, considering they went up against an army of the dead.

Uther is safe. Arthur is safe. Morgana is unconscious. Gaius is well. Gwen is in the infirmary helping out.

His feet stop moving and his head tilts to the side. Gaius who walks a few feet ahead notices Merlin's failure to keep up. He turns around, finding the boy staring at the ground.

"What is it, Merlin?"

Merlin looks up, his head tilting in a new direction. "Have you seen Elena?"

Gaius folds his neck back with an answer at his throat, but it gets stuck. "Uh, no. I haven't actually. Did she say where she was going to be?"

Merlin searches his memory but the last one he has of her is leaving him with the food sacks. She never actually said where she was going to be. "No. She wasn't in the infirmary?"

"Not that I saw," Gaius denies. "But I was keeping an eye on Morgana, maybe she was in another part."

"Maybe," he mutters. He presses forward, catching up with Gaius as they walk to the infirmary. He notes in his mind to keep an eye out for the girl. They had been a little preoccupied and maybe she left to help against the attack from inside Camelot; defend the infirmary.

They walk through the infirmary, lively chatter filling the air as the cheer for Camelot's victory. Even the wounded have a smile on their face. Gaius wanders off, helping a man with a cut shoulder and Merlin walks around the place.

Gwen is wrapping up a man's arm that he recognises. Sir Castor. Surely Elena would have said something to him. He jogs up to them, smiling at Gwen in greeting.

"Hey, Merlin," Castor greets, grinning childishly at the warlock. Merlin has had a few interactions with the knight, considering that he and Elena are close and he finds the knight friendly enough. Also, the sense of mutual understanding, since Castor has his own secret, but the knight doesn't know the warlocks. (Or so he thinks).

"Sir Castor. I was wondering if you or Gwen have seen Elena around?" he asks, keeping his tone cool and collected. Gwen frowns, pausing for a moment to think but Castor shakes his head straight away.

"No, I was out near the front lines," he says.

"I haven't seen her either, but I've been in the infirmary the whole time," Gwen answers. Merlin bites his cheek as Castor narrows his eyes at Gwen.

"Where else would she be? I'm certain Leon said she would be here," he counters. Gwen's head falls back.

"Oh, maybe she is. She's probably out helping them bring the wounded in. It's been busy here I haven't really taken notice."

"Yeah, you're right," Merlin exhales, his eyes still flickering around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. He doesn't but he does see Leon again and he knows that it's worth the shot to ask him. Maybe she had gone out to fight. She has been training with a sword lately.