No one dared mention merlin to Arthur. Especially after his death. It wasn't until after his funeral when they decided someone HAD to tell him.
They elected a knight should tell him. Leon reminded them that Arthur was being "iffy" around Gwaine at the moment. Gwaine, rather delighted, said that it could be him because of it.
A lot of other excuses got thrown around but in the end the knights decided to go in together dragging Gwaine along anyway. So they banded together and got to the door. The door was ajar and they could hear what was going on inside. Arthur was firing George.
"He's Shabby looking, he has appalling manors, he's extremely forgetful, and he seems to spend most of his time in the tavern, but he is my manservant. And to be honest, I quite like it that way!" Arthur said.
"Sire, are you talking about merlin?" George said.
"Yes. Why?"
"Because, sire, merlin has passed on."
"I beg your pardon?"
"It is true my lord. Merlin passed on and he was buried beneath the willow yesterday. I believed you had known. I apologise my lord."
Arthur looked at the door in disbelief as if he expected merlin to come wandering in. only his knights did.
"Leon where is merlin?" Arthur said.
Leon shifted a little. He didn't want to be the one to answer.
"He's in the tavern sire!" Gwaine said. Percival elbowed him.
"No he's not sire. Merlin is gone." Elyan said.
"Gone where? Ealdor? When will he be back?"
"That's a point we need to tell his mother. I do not want to do that!" Gwaine said.
"Shut up Gwaine." Percival said.
"He's can't be gone. Merlin can't be gone. I promised him I wouldn't give up and I broke that promise so he can't be dead until I fix it."
"I'm very sorry sire."
"He's gone."
"Yes sire."
"Excuse me."
Arthur left.
No one saw him again for a month. Although with all the guards that were sent out, they really should have. when they did find him, it was because the river brought him back to Camelot. Floating face down on it. It was assumed he committed suicide by drowning because he didn't fight for Merlin. they burred Arthur beside Merlin beneath the willow.