Merlin and Arthur in Lockdown

Four

Arthur completed a Zoom appearance for the charity run, which had converted into a virtual fun run people completed either in their homes or outside individually, and presented the awards for the competition. He had barely left the call when a video call was coming in through his mobile. 'Father,' he answered as Uther's humourless expression came up on his screen.

'I've managed some interim arrangements for your bodyguards,' said Uther. With rules stating only one member of a household could go out to buy essentials, technically Arthur couldn't be followed around by bodyguards. 'I've spoken to the minister and got an exemption produced-'

'I don't need one,' Arthur cut in. 'Everyone has to wear a face mask. Who's going to know it's me?'

'You can't become complacent.'

'I'll wear a beanie for good measure.'

'Arthur, there are protocols there for a reason.'

'It'll be fine, trust me.' Before Uther could say more Arthur feigned looking at something. 'Sorry, have to go now.'

Merlin, who overheard the conversation, looked at him with sympathy. 'I'm pretty sharp at spotting danger. Who needs security, when you've got me, eh?' he joked.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. 'Not quite convincing.'

'Well, I'll take the first turn. The rules say only one person can go out for the essentials.'

'Alright, I'll take the next turn.' Arthur held out a credit card between his index and middle fingers.

Merlin gave the card a look before meeting Arthur's eyes again. 'We're doing things like other flatmates, remember? So I'm paying for the groceries when it's my turn.'

'Right. Got it.'

Merlin grabbed some reusable bags and his keys, heading to the door.

'Merlin.'

'Yes.'

'You're not wearing a mask.'

Merlin retreated back. He pretended he didn't know the intention of the masks were to reduce the spread of the disease. 'Ah yes, must keep my identity a secret.'

<<>>

This was the first time Merlin had to wait in line to get inside a local supermarket. When a group of shoppers exited, reducing the number of people inside, Merlin moved forward in line and was finally allowed to get in.

Despite the crowd-controlling queue it was swarming with people inside. A shop assistant swooped in and placed a cardboard sign in front of the toilet tissue stacks: Limit of two packets per customer.

Merlin heard a volley of swear words.

He didn't know what to go for first. What was more likely to run out? Which part of the store was the least crowded?

He had managed to grab the vegetables and cereal he was after when a fresh group of shoppers rushed in to the pasta and grains aisle, almost knocking over an old lady.

'Watch your step,' the woman croaked bravely. She tried to inch into the gap of shoppers at the pasta shelf. Merlin could see she wasn't going to make it; the pasta was disappearing fast.

He took a deep breath. The shoppers around him were preoccupied in grabbing their stock, so he was out of their sight.

Merlin spoke the words in his mind and felt a flash of heat around him. His eyes glowed briefly as he cast the spell.

Down the aisle the remaining pasta tumbled out of the shelf and piled on the floor, away from the shelf the lady was trying to reach.

The group of shoppers jumped back from the explosion of pasta packets. When the shock passed they rushed to the floor where the packets lay.

The woman eyed the last two bags of pasta on the shelf closest to her. 'You want one?' she looked to Merlin.

'Nah you have them,' he replied.

The other packets of pasta that scattered because of his spell were picked up into trolleys quickly. Oh well, he and Arthur weren't going to have pasta for a while.

Merlin didn't care. He smiled behind his mask; it felt good to be able to use his magic.

With a new spirit of energy he rolled his trolley to the fridges and grabbed one of the last remaining double-litre milk bottles before a rush of people headed his way. He left the milk fridge quickly and made a stop at the egg fridge.

He was headed to the checkouts, passing by the magazine stand without a second glance when a headline caught his eye.

Uther Reignites War on Sorcerers.

Merlin swallowed, eyes locked on the glossy magazine cover, a stern Uther accompanying the words.

It's the media juggernaut. Just running with Uther's speech the other day, he told himself. Arthur always said the magazines shamelessly spun anything and everything into a good story that sold them. The last one he saw featuring Arthur on the cover was one they found at the uni cafeteria. The Prince's Ladies, it said, over a grid of pictures of Arthur, accompanied by a different young woman in each shot.

'Someone gets all the girls around here,' Merlin had said.

'In a chat? At a public place with a hundred other people around me? Yeah sure,' Arthur had replied. He grabbed the magazine, flicked to the article that expanded on the cover story and without reading it, started commentating on the images printed. The first was of Arthur and a pretty blonde woman. She was sitting on a horse, he stood on the ground, his hands on her waist and one of her hands on his shoulder. 'Princess Vivian, on a tour with her father last year. In fact, her father was literally there, out of frame.' The next was Arthur standing with another pretty girl, both smiling and with drinks in hand. 'Lady Sophia at some charity gala. I mean, I admit, I was checking her out. But they make it look like we were having a private drink together.' His eyes landed on the next picture. 'What, even Elena! I mean, she was great. But we decided to be friends.' He had closed the magazine and slapped it down on the table.

Arthur was right, Merlin thought, scanning his shopping at the checkout and ignoring the magazine. Uther wasn't out to get him.

Still, he regretted using the spell earlier at the pasta aisle. He needed to keep his magic a secret more than ever.