Ten
'Hi,' Arthur said to his phone, mounted on a special frame. 'You may have all seen the news of the attack at the Camelot City Library. There were a number of parties there, with some opposing views. At some point, however, things were no longer peaceful. And we shouldn't stand for that. Whether we possess magic or not. Whether we believe magic should be outlawed or not.' He paused for a moment before continuing.
'The truth is, as reports have suggested, I was there at the library. I saw that the majority of the protesters were peaceful. Then a number of people started causing trouble. Whether they used magic or not is still not clear. But it shouldn't matter, anyway. They put people's lives at risk. I was defending myself against one of these people.
'Maybe I don't have this fully right, but to me it looked like this person was staging the use of magic. Which is why I want to stress that at this point, we don't have all the evidence. Some reports are suggesting that the group of sorcerers located inside the library were, in fact, pretending to have magic. Now, I don't know what their motives are. But it sounds like ultimately they want to go against the authorities using the cause of freeing magic. Which, to me, isn't right. Even though I can see those who were peacefully protesting and others around the country must also feel frustrated that they're not being heard.
'So it's crucial we have a fair investigation into this. And we need a genuine conversation between supporters of magic and non-supporters. We need to look at this issue with empathy, with fairness.'
Arthur gave a shake of his head. 'Not with hate. Because people can use magic -or anything- for both good and evil. In fact...' He shifted in his stool.
'There was someone in the crowd who I believed tried to help me. Using his magic. If that person's intention was simply to help save someone,' he took a breath before saying, 'then I support them.
'I don't think we're having the real discussions we need to have on this. It shouldn't be about the authorities doing something blindly or a group of people putting lives at risk just to make a stand. I think we should all come to the table with something better than that.
'The reason I wanted to make this post today was...actually quite simple. I wanted to thank the stranger who helped me today using their powers.'
Merlin sat to one side of the room, listening. Even though Arthur's eyes were still on the camera, he had a sudden fear he would turn to Merlin. But Arthur ignored him entirely, pausing again to collect his words, no doubt regretting being so open.
'Until we can settle things peacefully,' he continued more confidently, 'I'm glad we have organisations like Camelot For All. Like them, I condemn the attack outside the Library. But I want to support CFA in raising money for managing the plague and for those who need help, like people being unfairly treated due to having magic.
'Which is why I've signed up for CFA's virtual charity quiz, hosted by the Lady Morgana next week.'
Merlin tuned out of the rest of the video as Arthur drew to a close. He sat there motionless. Everything froze for a moment as what Arthur had said started sinking in. He certainly didn't expect to be thanked by Arthur. For using magic.
Only when Arthur rose to stop recording on his phone did Merlin shift.
'That was, um, very well said.'
Arthur didn't meet his eyes. 'Yeah, I think it needed to be said.'
Later that night Merlin had a look through some of the comments that followed Arthur's announcement.
So glad to see the Prince supporting a proper investigation instead of taking sides too quickly. There's some hope for the future after all.
I'm gonna confess, I have magic. This meant so much to me.
I'm glad you didn't choose the easy option and made it about "evil sorcerers". Don't change for anyone, Arthur.
It hit Merlin then. This is what the dragon meant about Arthur. His role wasn't to get on taskforces or even go to all these philanthropic events. It was even more simple than that. He brought people together. He gave them something to stand for.
And Merlin's role was to bring out that side of Arthur.
Merlin's face lit up. He wasn't useless if he couldn't use his magic. His destiny was more than that.
Arthur heard a light rattling, followed by Merlin walking in. With the suit of armour. 'Isn't this fortuitous?' He gave the costume a look.
Arthur gave Merlin a look. 'I'm surprised you know a big word like that.' He got up to examine the costume.
Merlin gave a dismissive shake of the head.
'It actually looks quite impressive,' said Arthur. He took out the shoulder piece on top and eyed the realistic looking mail shirt underneath. He would get to wear the armour after all, even though it was originally meant for him at the charity run. Merlin jumped on the idea again when they discovered Morgana's CFA quiz was Medieval Fayre themed.
'Oh good,' said Merlin, 'I did hire it from an expensive place.'
Arthur looked sceptical.
'Not with my own money. I billed it under one of your expenses.'
'And I'm surprised that was approved by our finance team.'
'Though you can't wear the helmet now, since you'd want to show your face for the quiz.'
'Hmm,' Arthur agreed, not noticing Merlin getting up to retrieve a bowl from the kitchen.
'Which means you'll be needing a haircut. It is a bit on the overgrown side.' Merlin's lips turned up as he held up the empty bowl. 'And since you're meant to be a medieval knight, it's only right you get a bowl cut.'
Arthur's eyes widened.
'It would make you even more relatable, what with everyone's lockdown haircut disasters.'
'Right.' Arthur drew out the word and grabbed the bowl off Merlin. 'Only if you also get a bowl cut and come as the court jester.'
Gwen answered the video call on the third ring. 'Hello, Arthur! Ready for the quiz?'
'Hi! Yeah.' Perhaps he wasn't as prepared as he'd thought.
Gwen filled in the silence. 'Morgana's just getting ready. I can go get her if you had any questions for her-'
'No. I, uh, wanted to talk to you. Hence,' Arthur smiled, a little awkward, 'calling you on your account.'
'Right.' Gwen smiled and gave a little shake of the head. 'Love the knight costume.' She wanted to say he wore it well but instead added, 'The armour looks cool.'
'Yeah, Merlin did well, getting a hold of it. You look great, by the way.'
'Thank you.' Gwen briefly looked down at her costume. 'It's supposed to be a fair-maiden look.'
'Well, you certainly look it.' His eyes caught the embroidered foliage on the fitted vest she wore over a lavender dress. 'The design looks quite authentic.'
'Thanks. I actually did the embroidery myself. Something to do over the lockdown, I thought.'
Arthur's brows rose. 'Really?' He examined the medieval inspired embroidery more closely. 'That's awesome -you've got a talent for it then.' Then he quickly remembered he should probably look back up from her bodice. Except it was no help. He was distracted, nonetheless, as Gwen swept aside a swirl of hair away from her face. She had the rest of it in a side braid, with tiny flowers tucked into it. Arthur sat straighter. Yes, he wanted her to be his fair maiden but that probably wasn't the best place to start. 'I wanted to apologise for...what I said to you about the kiss.'
The smile left Gwen's face. Her lips parted in surprise.
'I was being a coward. So I made up what I said about not knowing what came over me.'
'I understand.'
'The truth was,' Arthur shook his head, 'I don't regret it or think it just happened and meant nothing. I...want it to be something. At the time I was too scared for us to be in a relationship. But, if you want that too, I wish we were more than friends.'
Gwen looked away from the laptop camera for a second. 'That's, um... I really appreciate you owning up to all of that, Arthur. And to be honest, I've also thought about that night. And...yeah, it wasn't just a random moment to me. But,' she swallowed before continuing, 'I understand why you hesitated. I would too. We're just...from very different worlds. I mean, I've realised I care about you. I want to go out with you, and that might be nice while no one knows about us. But down the track, it won't be the case.' She sounded a lot more decided as she continued. 'And I know I won't be able to turn into a perfect member of the royal circle or whatever and do everything by all these rules.'
Arthur took a moment to consider. 'It doesn't have to be that way. Maybe we can be who we think we should be.'
'I don't think that's how everyone else will see it.'
For a moment they both sat there contemplating what to say.
'Perhaps we can at least try to do things our way,' Arthur spoke. 'This plague situation kind of makes you appreciate what you have, and that it might not always be that way. I'd want to at least see how we might be...together.' He released a breath before continuing. 'Well, I just wanted to be more honest about things with you. But of course we can still be good friends, if that's what you want.' He gave her a quick, reassuring smile, apparently giving up on the subject.
'I'm glad you were honest, Arthur. And also that you posted about being at the library, about trying to make the right sort of change. It meant a lot.' They stared at each other through their respective screens without words.
In the background they heard Morgana calling over to Gwen. 'I better leave you to it,' said Arthur.
'Actually...I just wanted to say,' she blurted, 'I do want to go out with you.'
A smile broke across Arthur's face. He did not see that coming.
'Just not at the moment, of course,' she corrected. 'Once the lockdown is over. I mean, we can text.'
'Yup.' He gave a nod. 'Or video call. We can go out for exercise.'
She looked unsure. 'Right.'
'I mean, they didn't say what kind of exercise.'
Gwen looked on awkwardly.
He could feel the heat of wearing the layers of his costume all of a sudden. 'Right. You know what I mean!'
'Yes, we've at least got the license to send romantic memes to each other.'
Arthur smiled. 'Can't wait for the memes.' Morgana knocked on Gwen's open door and asked if that was Arthur on the call. 'See you at the quiz.'
A couple of minutes later Merlin and Arthur were on another video call with Gwen. Morgana slid into view, taking a seat next to her. 'You boys ready?' she asked.
Merlin was speechless, taking Morgana in: she wore a wine-purple dress with a sheer indigo over-dress. An ornate high waisted belt held the two layers together, her filigree and stone earrings and delicate head piece that rested in the parting of her hair matching its historical style.
'Goodness, Morgana!' called Arthur, 'you just wanted to do the "princess cosplay", didn't you? That's the whole reason we're here.'
'I'm not a princess,' Morgana defended. 'I'm a mysterious courtier.'
'And,' Merlin finally added, 'you look great.'
'Thank you, Merlin!' She gave Merlin's costume a once-over: a russet brown jacket with a high collar and a hat with a fountain of feathers falling out of it. 'Glad you two put in the effort as well.'
Arthur gave Merlin's headpiece a deliberate look. 'Glad Merlin's hat put in the effort.' He made a chuckle at his own joke.
Merlin roughly shoved a few feather tips out of his face. 'No idea why a minstrel would need the hat,' he muttered.
'Don't listen to him, Merlin,' Morgana said, your costume's really good.'
Merlin bent down to get something out. 'I got it because it came with this.' He took out a mini lute, the size of a ukulele.
'That's so cool!' said Gwen, 'Does it play?'
Merlin plucked a few of the strings, giving life to a little trill of music.
'Oh, nice,' said Morgana, both the girls watching Merlin's lute-playing.
'Alright, settle down,' said Arthur, 'or it'll go to his head.'
'No -it'll go to my head when I win the quiz,' said Merlin.
'Which you won't.'
'Um,' interrupted Morgana, 'you do realise you two are in the same team? You'll have to work together.'
Arthur's eyes widened in offence. 'A team?'
'Which means,' said Gwen, 'we'll take you both down.'
Arthur sat up, prepared. 'We'll see about that. Right, Morgana, let's get to the quiz platform.'
And just for a moment Merlin and Arthur were Knight and Minstrel, not caring it was the lockdown and about to break the Internet.
The End
