A Hunting Trip

Dragon

MERLIN'S POV:
He gave me the day off, perfect. Now I can try to find where that prat has hidden Excalibur. I first head to the armoury, just to make sure. After last time, he wouldn't leave it lying around, would he? As I open the door, Gwaine is sharpening his weapons.
"Hey, Merlin!" He places down his sword and beckons for me to sit. I've got no idea why, but I need to act like I'm 'good old Merlin' for this to work.
"Hello, Gwaine. How are you?"
"Compared to your situation, great! How are you doing?"
"Uh... shocked. Arthur gave me the day off. He never gives me the day off!"
"You don't think he'd give you a day to rest, after... that!? He won't admit it, Merlin, but he cares for you!"
"Yeah, right." All he cares about is killing people like me, whether they're guilty or not, choice or force. I can't believe I ever thought we were even friends!" It was completely silent, until Gwaine murmured something about training and left.

ARTHUR'S POV:
Gwaine was late, I had no idea where he was. We'd started without him, and I as parrying against Leon when he showed up.
"Gwaine, why are you late?" I ask, still blocking Leon's swings.
"Could we maybe talk, y'know, privately?"
"Oh... uh, sure." With a final movement, Leon's sword is lying in the dirt. Gwaine beckons for me to follow him, and my mind is full of questions. Why can't he talk with the rest of the Knights as well? What's so important to him, that he showed up late?

MERLIN'S POV:
Excalibur is nowhere to be found! Damn it! There's only one place I haven't checked, but Arthur would be pretty suspicious if I stole his sword, because he must have it with him! He'll be with the Knights in training... would he be using it, or another? I follow after Gwaine, without him noticing. He took Arthur away, and he left Excalibur in the sword rack! The Knights left have their backs turned, so I run over and silently unsheath it, then run back. Before I reach the safety of the castle, Elyan goes to grab something and spots me. I put one finger against my lips, but he's already back with the others, blabbering about me. I sprint down the halls to my room, luckily Gaius is out, shove the sword under my bed and then head back out, this time to the forest.

ARTHUR'S POV:
I'm... shocked. From what Gwaine said, Merlin really doesn't think I care about him, or anyone for that matter. I pass it off, everything that's happened must've taken its toll. But, do I really work Merlin so hard that he thinks I wouldn't let him off? Maybe I shouldn't be as harsh... Gwaine and I head back to a few confused glances from the others. They try to say something, instead I shrug it off and tell them to keep training. I look for Excalibur, but it's not there! I end up taking another sword, but it's weight isn't right. I continue to train anyway, but I'm not as sharp as I would be, neither are the others. Our minds are all consumed in thought. The Knights of the Round Table probably thinking about what Gwaine must've told me, and myself, about Merlin.

MEELIN'S POV:
I reach the clearing, not too far from the castle. I take a breath, then yell out the spell into the silent wind.
"O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!" I wait for a moment, could Kilgharrah sense what I was going to ask... I realise a shadow covers the Sun, the unmistakable shadow of a dragon. He lands right in front of me, and he's glaring daggers.
"Middle of the day!? Someone could've spotted me!"
"Sorry, but this is urgent."
"What is it, young warlock?"
"Firstly, I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me young warlock. Secondly, I need you to lure the Knights of Came,out here, but not Arthur."
"What are you doing, Merlin!?"
"Trust me, it'll be fantastic!"
"No."
"I am the last dragonlord, you must do what I command!"
"And you shouldn't order me! This isn't how your powers should be used!"
"Yes, they should! I've neglected it for ages, but now..."
"Now what?" I stare at him, a smirk creeping onto my face.
"Just wait and see..."

GAIUS' POV:
"Where is that incompetent, simple-minded idiot!?" Arthur yells as he throws open the door.
"I thought he was with you, Sire."
"He can't of..."
"No, I don't think so, do you know where he last was?"
"Gwaine said he was talking to him in the armoury."
"Just out of curiosity, why do you need Merlin so suddenly?"
"We're riding out, near the border. There's been reports of attack all throughout the smaller villages."
"Why don't you take George instead? I hear he's one of the best servants you can get."
"But he's incredibly boring! I'd rather Merlin over George any day!"
"I'm here! But, you gave me the day off!" Merlin runs through the door, out of breath.
"Well not now you're not! We're heading out to the border, there have been many attacks." A brief anger crosses Merlin's face... why?
"Is it that serious that you, the King of Camelot, have to go? You could be atttacked whilst there, you could be killed! And everyone will just be waiting here for you to not return." He's never said anything like this! What is wrong with him!?
"Merlin, stop being a wuss and get the horses ready."
"No, I've got a bad feeling about this, and how many times have I been right about this stuff?"
"Fine, but I'm still sending some knights over, and they'll need horses." Arthur just... agrees with him? That never happens, maybe Arthur believes Merlin can, I don't know, sense hat the problems are and I know that's impossible, even for a sorcerer of his power.
"Can't George do it?"
"Merlin!"
"Fine." Merlin walks out the door, happier than he's been in a while. At least he's recovering well, even if it is with his arguments with the King. I stand in silence, Arthur still in the doorway.
"I-I guess I'll be heading off."
"Goodbye, Sire." I'll have to talk to him later, something's definitely up with Merlin.