Lost in Albion 3 (Merlin) - Completed

Chapter 30: Pain in My Backside

Chapter 30

The ground becomes an ocean of slopes and rocks. More than once I've stepped on a rock and have it slide under my foot, not rooted in the ground. The others struggle just as much as I do and we stay in close range of each other, ready to reach out and grab them.

Merlin is in the lead, with me directly behind him and Gwaine at the rear. We climb up a particularly steep slope that we couldn't get around and every now and then we have to use our hands to hold us up.

I can feel Merlin's anxiousness mixing with my own which is distracting enough as it is. So, when Merlin's behind comes falling down at my face, I'm completely unprepared for it. My head is knocked back as Merlin's legs slide under my arms, taking me out with him. Gwaine is more prepared then I am, and his hands push against the back of my thighs, holding us up from falling any further.

"Sorry," Merlin calls back bashfully, climbing up again. I huff, glaring at him as I move away from Gwaine's hands.

"That," I grunt, "is the second time I've had your backside fall on my face." Merlin looks back, his cheeks very red. Gwaine snorts and I look back at him with a glare. "It's not funny. He's all bone and it hurts."

"Can we not talk about my arse!" Merlin calls down.

"Sorry, it's right in my face!" I exclaim, testing rocks before I put my weight on them. "It's all I can see."

"I've got the best view!" My head snaps down to Gwaine, giving him the same glare I sent Merlin. He winks. "We can swap so you can look at mine if you want?"

"I'd rather not look at either of your arses," I snort. "Can I lead!?"

"Don't worry, you don't need to anymore."

Merlin stands up straight, the slope finally coming to a flat. I hurrah, climbing up faster to stand next to him. Gwaine joins us shortly after. In the near distance is a small castle, The Dark Tower.

"There it is," Merlin says as we look out over it. The wind is strong, blowing our hair back, forcing me to squint so my eyes don't dry out.

"What are those?" I ask, pointing at two black things flying in the sky.

"I've never seen creatures like that," Merlin says.

"It's like they're hunting something," Gwaine observes. He's right. They circle one area like an eagle would its prey but I can't see anything on the ground.

"What was that?" Merlin exclaims.

"What?" I ask, my eyes searching the area for anything new but there's nothing.

"Sword," Gwaine replies.

"It's Arthur."

I frown, trying to look at the ground below the creatures but I can't see anything. Damn, my eyes are horrible. Our speed picks up as we run down the hill, the ground almost flattening out as we get closer to the castle grounds. Wherever Arthur is, it's not out here anymore.

The boys come to a stop as the birds fly around, now closer and much more frightening. I unsheathe my sword, holding it low but ready.

"I should've known," Gwaine says, watching them.

"What are they?"

"Wyverns. Distant cousins of the dragon." We pick up running again. "They're creatures of magic, so be careful."

Merlin and I share a look. If Merlin is alone, or just with me around them, he could possibly command them. But it's a risk since we have no idea if it would work. We reach the portcullis which has been dropped, presumably by Arthur since this is the main way in. Gwaine squats down, grasping the metal. He pulls it up just enough so there is space underneath for Merlin and me to crawl under. His face is contorted in strain, his bottom lip between his teeth.