A Hunting Trip

Rumour

ARTHUR'S POV:
"Good morning, Sire. Would you like some breakfast?" I'm getting annoyed at George, always so... polite. I actually miss Merlin yanking open the curtains, shouting at me and dragging me out of bed. It's been almost two weeks since the bandit attack, and only one after Merlin had escaped. I know I should try to find him, but what's the point? He hates me, and he'll probably use his magic to hide himself away. I looked up and saw George waiting with almost a full-out banquet, but Guinevere wasn't there.
"Where's Gwen?" I ask George as I get out of bed and sit at a chair.
"She's gone out to deal with some rumours."
"What rumours?"
"They've appeared only this morning to council, but Morgana was found, dead." What? Morgana, killed? Who? How? I realise I'd gotten out of my chair, so I decided to make my way down to the council room, suspecting that's where she would be. George stood in front of the door, and I almost knocked him over whilst running for the halls.
"Would you get out of my way!? I need to settle what's happened!" I was shouting now, annoyed at how irritable George was.
"Well, I don't think it'd be a good idea when you're not dressed." He was right, I had only my pants on, and my hair was ruffled from sleeping.
"Ok, but hurry!"
"Yes, Sire."

I practically burst through the doors of the council, where there was a meeting being held. Everyone looked up at me, some annoyed and others glad to see their King. I quickly sat down next to Guinevere and beckoned to the council to continue.
"So, as I was saying... Morgana had, apparently, a stab wound across her side, but the sword responsible was gone..."
"Morgana's a high priestess, she could only have been killed by a certain type of sword," Gaius interrupted the Knight. I hadn't noticed he was here, he hardly went out of his chambers since Merlin had escaped.
"What do you mean, Gaius?" I asked him, and he stepped forward from behind my chair.
"A high priestess is immune to anything, unless it is forged in a dragon's breath, and there's only one sword I know of crafted like this..."
"Well, where is it?"
"Arthur, where is your sword?"
"My sword? It's right h..." Grasping down, my sword isn't there. I always carried my sword!
"Arthur, when did you last use your sword?"
"Um... looking out for the bandits last week, why?"
"I fear that I know who has Excalibur..."
"Who!?"
"Merlin." Merlin has my sword!? So he stole it right from my chambers, and left with it! But, the note said Morgana and him were allies? The note... we hadn't checked it since yesterday!
"Where's the note?"
"What note? What the hell is going on!?" Leon exclaimed. Our cover story of Merlin visiting Ealdor was being blown through. I can't tell them, they'll blame it on his magic! He's good, I know it!
"Council dismissed!" I can't bring myself to explain everything to them all. From what I know, none know of Merlin's magic excluding Gaius and myself. Everyone leaves, confused and completely in the blue. Gaius stands awkwardly where he was, and I sit down, deep in thought.
"Sire, the note..." Gaius hands me the small piece of paper, with Merlin's handwriting clear.

I thought you'd leave me...

"Is it true?" I ask, hoping that wherever Merlin is, that he doesn't have my sword.

I killed Morgana... I don't remember it, but I killed her.

He doesn't remember killing Morgana? I give a questioning look at Gaius, who returns it.
"Where are you, Merlin?"

I'm not sure. I don't know what to do...

A single patch of water appears on the note, a tear.
"Merlin, don't worry, I'm coming out to find you. Stay where you are, it's going to be alright..."

MERLIN'S POV:
This was going to be easy. The fool's already fallen for it, just wait 'til he gets here... the Pendragon dynasty will be no more. I leave the cave I'd slept in to the clearing. Morgana's corpse was still there. The travellers who'd seen it had rode straight to Camelot, to lead Arthur to my trap. I hid in the bushes, awaiting the last Pendragon, and his final battle.

I heard galloping, Arthur. His chocolate-brown horse comes into view, and they stop at the dead body.
"Morgana..." the King whispers, and that's where my plan begins. It's simple, and the first step is to get back to Camelot. Arthur hopped off his steed and walked around. He halted when he saw my red neckerchief I'd placed a few metres in front of me. His eyes meet mine, the fake tears streaming down my face. I shuffle backwards and Arthur stays back, hands up in surrender. Even I thought Arthur wouldn't be such of an idiot!

A/N: So, how was Rumour, or as I like to call it, the POV chapter. I'll be having more POVs, as it's becoming easier to write with them.
Just like to say quick, 75 reads! Thank you everyone for reading this, it makes me so happy, and I hope you all enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing it!
xo