Leon and Lancelot pt 1

 

Merlin and Sasha were up in the middle of the night. There was nothing sneaky or suspicious in this. It was actually fairly common anymore. Every six nights or so Merlin would tell his guardian Gaius of his desire for a more private conversation and walk up to his friend Sasha's room. As long as he didn't stay much past literal midnight, no one seemed to have a problem with it. The problem was that Sasha seemed to barely be noticing his presence, and he'd been there for over an hour.

“I could make a living as a story teller, if I had the concentration for it.” Sasha told her friend suddenly, not bothering to sit up from her 'couch'.

“How do you mean?” The wizard inquired, politely curious.

“I could tell my sister Grace's adventures as fanciful stories.” She clarified a moment later. “Or even my own adventures, from before I came here.”

“You remember your older travels?” Merlin stated, now thoroughly interested.

“Of course Merlin. I never meant to imply otherwise. I don't remember them in personal detail and I've not mentioned them much cause I knew it would be unwise to live in the past. There are a few things in both the sea of stars and the breadth of the ancient world that would seem both relevant and well, meaningful here. Or so I guess. And I take it by the look on your face, you want me to tell you one of those stories now.”

“If you can think of one that means a lot to you and you think would resonate with me, absolutely.”

“Alright, imagine if you will a ship traveling through the stars as easily as sailors travel the seas. And while most of the crew is perfectly human, there are two strange beings. One a warrior whose race was once considered an enemy. And one an android...a constructed being...built by a human scientist and whose one desire is to be as human-like as possible...knowing he can never fully achieve his goal...”

She proceeded to tell the story of the android's trial to determine his rights and status, convened by the organization called 'starfleet' and the assertion that this constructed being was nothing but property. The trial's conclusion being that this android was a strange but sentient life-form with free will and possibly a soul...She did her best to tell nothing more or less than the story itself as it had been told her by her sister Grace. When she was finished she sat up and stared at her dearest friend.

“You honestly expect me to believe this ever could happen?” Merlin stated simply.

“The events themselves, of course not.” Sasha answered bluntly but politely. “Being widely accepted for who and what you are, though not quite publicly acknowledged, absolutely!”

“I don't understand.” Merlin admitted.

“Data's friends already knew and accepted what was made public policy that day. To them it was what we call a 'no brainer'...self-evident and true. I honestly believe that most people who know you here, couldn't care about the legal ban on magic if they knew the what as well as the who of your being. And I just realized I'm supposed to ride out with Sir Leon and Sir Percival tomorrow around 9 am...not long after breakfast.”

“A not so subtle hint to take what you've told me and hide it in my heart, as well as leave this alone for now and go to sleep.” Merlin inferred. Sasha nodded and with well wishes and what Sasha referred to as a wave of peace, Merlin left his friend alone.

“Remind me again, why you're out here with us?” Sir Leon queried as the path turned further South, past the last of the thick trees. “Not that I mind the company, because I don't.” He added hurriedly. “It's just a little odd having you this far from Camelot when you don't usually leave the castle.”

“Well I can't deny that.” The young woman answered confidently, slowing her horse down so Sir Leon could catch up. “I'm afraid the only explanation I have is this: I've an irrational belief that something is about to change for the better, and I want to be present when it does.”

“You've piqued my attention.” Sir Percival commented from the woman's forward left.

“I think I might meet someone on this journey who will have an integral part in bringing a splendid change in the heart of my first friend.” Sasha clarified. And after a moment of thought, she continued. “And I would ask that you not require me to explain further.”

“I wasn't about to.” Sir Leon answered honestly. Whatever he would have added to his statement, if anything at all, was silenced by the appearance of two strangers right in the middle of the road. It took several moments to take in all of their appearance, and it will take almost as long to tell it.

The black haired gentleman was dressed in a dark red shirt that came just past his elbows, and a thin black vest that knotted over his chest and came in a V just below his heart. The other man had skin paler than Merlin's and short-cropped brown hair that seemed to blow in the wind. His clothing was far simpler: white cotton shirt and rough brown vest that seemed to be made of one piece of fabric, and had a pocket just at the man's right ribs. Both men were about the same height and wore trousers of a study brown material, but what material it exactly was the knights could not guess.

“Greetings strangers.” Sir Percival announced to the pair.

“Good day gentleman.” The black haired man answered cordially. “Would I seem impolite to ask where in the country we are?”

“Strange yes, impolite not at all.” Sir Leon answered slowly. “You're in the Southern plains of the kingdom of Camelot.” Both knights noticed a small smile on the paler man's face. “You were heading here?”

The smile vanished as the stranger looking man answered. “Not at all, at least, not expressly. I believe some introduction is in order. Certainly it would be proper before thing become even more...convoluted.”

“How do you mean?” Sir Percival replied curtly. A frown growing on his otherwise childlike face.

“Please, introductions should come first.” The first stranger insisted politely. “My name is Will, Will Riker. And this is...Jayden. At least, that's my own name for him.”

“Alright I'll go along with that.” Sir Percival acquiesced. And after giving the names of himself and his fellow knight, he again asked for clarification of the younger man's choice of words.

“I think he means me.” Sasha answered simply. “Friends, strangers and gentleman all,” She began solemnly. “If I am any judge of anything these two believe they have met me before and are wondering what I'm doing already a part of this story. They are mistaken on both counts.” She caught herself and continued. “I was and am only one of four sisters. They might have met Grace or Sophia before, and simply cannot see the distinction.” She turned to look Riker squarely in the face. “Do I not hit near the mark?”

“Far closer than most would, I expect.” Riker answered cryptically.

“My name is Sasha.” The young woman answered simply. “Or at least it is lately. And for the sake of ending any confusion, I would suggest that we three walk our horses straight back into Camelot proper, with these two right along, and see that either Merlin or Arthur is the first person we introduce them to. To answer what might be a doubt in your minds, this is nothing like how I normally speak. I am simply trying to make a good first impression.”

“You have succeeded at that.” Riker congratulated, grinning spontaneously. “Though I think you would do better simply speaking however is normal for you, as far as being a good host or a mediator.”

“Mediator?” Percival inquired.

Sir Leon sighed and smiled. “He means someone to represent Camelot to them or them to Camelot...true?”

Riker simply nodded and walked up to Sir Leon's horse. “I'm ready to leave whenever you are.” And with that all five turned back to Camelot. Riker was walking beside Sir Leon's horse and Jayden beside Sir Percival's. This time Sasha was leading the pack, not stuck in the middle of it. When they were almost to the gates of Camelot, Sasha pulled her horse to a complete stop. She glanced back at Riker.

'It just struck me sir, unless they are actually right in their conclusions, you might want to clarify that Jayden is not your property or anything like that.' It was a message to the man's mind. One he understood.

“I believe I should make one thing perfectly clear.” Riker stated as he walked to the front of the group and turned back to address all three of his discoverers. “Jayden is my name for my friend, because his given name has no translation. My use of the word is not anything approaching possession, or any affinity even.”

“Sir are you a mind reader or something?” Percival inquired softly but firmly.

“Not at all.” Riker answered simply. “It's only that with his other-origin appearance and my casual reference to his name, it would be easy for strangers to think of him as being any less than my equal. But that is exactly what he is: my equal.”

Jayden as he had been called, smiled shyly. “Quite so my friend. I suggest getting quickly wherever in this city we are headed.”

Sir Leon was forced to smile at the obvious truth. “As soon as we dismount we'll take you to see Merlin and King Arthur, In the citadel.”

“We won't have to wait even that long.” Sasha said as she pointed to the skinny young man bounding up to them as though being chased by happy wolves. He stopped 12 paces away from Sasha's mare.

Leon held up his right hand to stop what Sasha was about to say. “Will Riker, Jayden, please allow me to introduce to you our friend Merlin. Who it seems has an incredibly urgent message for one of us.”

Merlin smiled shyly and exuded his message, without taking his eyes off of Sasha once. “Apparently Arthur has learned to trust Your judgment Sasha. He just told me that on the 'unlikely' occasion our theories pan out I'm to bring your guests directly to him in the great hall and find quarters for their stay. Though even I admit I'm having trouble understanding how you knew about such strangers. I assume by this word from Arthur that you both are welcome here as our guests. I just wonder which of us are to be a guide.”

As they walked up to the citadel Sasha was finding it hard to concentrate. Most people present assumed it was because she had basically been called out as a seer. In reality it was because she'd received a message in her mind. “Sasha I know you can send messages like this. In case you can hear them as well, answer me who these people are. They are almost as strange as you were when you first showed up.”...And was wondering how Sir Leon knew even that much about her.

She knew it was Sir Leon and not Sir Percival because the slightly younger, and certainly plainer knight that was Sir Percival had not been in Camelot, much less a knight of the kingdom, when she'd first showed up. That rank and honor had been bestowed on Percival and three other knights just over two years ago. A gift both given at need and very much earned by deeds and valor. The weightier question was why Sir Leon thought of her initial behavior as 'strange'. The question could only be answered face to face, hopefully alone, so she put it out of her mind. They were just outside of the great hall, and she had something else to think about. By the time they all entered, everyone living in the kingdom had plain, but happy faces on. The strangers had blank yet serene expressions. Merlin moved to stand just behind Arthur in his seat of state, the throne, and Sasha stepped forward to introduce her sister's friends...of course not in those terms.

“My King I present Will Riker and his friend Jayden, travelers from beyond the five kingdoms.” And considering her job done, she walked to stand behind the pair, beside Sir Leon. “I can hear you. I don't know them in any persona detail. If I am right, they are lost friends. I'll treat them as such.” She told his mind.

“Welcome to Camelot.” The king said from his throne. “What brings you here?”

Riker stepped forward a couple of paces. “We are explorers and seafarers. Nothing particularly brings us here except that we haven't been anywhere like it before. Or that is, we haven't been here before.”

“How long do you plan to stay?” Merlin inquired, completely forgetting his 'place'.

“Probably only a couple of days.” Riker answered simply. “People get tired of us after too long.” He would have gone on to say something about his Captain missing his presence on the ship, and not knowing for sure when weather would permit their departure. But two things happened first. Sasha sent him a telepathic message reminding him not to say anything he couldn't take back if he did get his captain's permission, and Sir Leon stepped forward.

“My King, Sasha seems to know these people, or at least they know her. I would hope if they allow themselves to stay, they would be welcome to. I feel excited to learn more about other places and ways.”

King Arthur looked doubtful for a moment. He turned to face Merlin, who placidly stated. “I for one don't see any reason not to try and learn. No matter how strange people seem, there's probably some reason for their arrival...if anything can be learned from that tavern and the Griffin.”

King Arthur suppressed a smile. “Agreed. Merlin will you find suitable rooms for our guests? Sir Leon, Sasha, I'd like a word.”

Merlin and the visitors bowed and left the room Sir Leon and Sasha stood where they were and waited for their lord to speak whatever was on his heart. It took a while.

“Sasha, what do you know of our guests?” King Arthur ventured.

Sasha's answer was so immediate it could have been rehearsed. “They are honest in what little they do say about themselves and while they won't be the most forthcoming individuals while they are here, they do what they think is right and will try to make something better for people here.”

“Any particular something?” Sir Leon prodded.

“They are egalitarian. They might not notice things are better than they were and might try to make an individual's life better, not realizing it already is. They are also philanthropists. They go around doing nothing but good deeds and, I put particular emphasis on this word, trying to help people. To answer what might be your next question...I think they knew one of my sisters. I highly doubt they know me. I cannot say for certain because my memory of who I was before I came here has mostly faded from my mind. But from what I do know, I wouldn't have been interested in their adventures the same way I was drawn to yours. The perplexed look on my face is concern, not doubt...I'm worried about Jayden.”

“In what manner Sasha?” Sir Leon inquired softly.

“I have a suspicion about him, some innate sense that wouldn't make any sense to anyone here. So I both hope I'm wrong and hope I'm up to the challenge if I'm right. My King, if it's alright, I'd like to go back to my room now and try to figure this whole mess out.”

Arthur held up his hand and slightly dropped his head. “I hate to tell you Sasha; I have one more question for you about...how well people know you?”

Sasha looked almost exasperated. “I think everyone who was at that table knows as much about me as they have bothered to be curious enough to openly ask me about. And if you prod me on this any further in front of Sir Leon it will have been You and not I to have dropped that particular veil. Even if I'm the one who says it, the responsibility for it will be yours.”

“Why do I feel like I'm being left out of something pretty important?” Sir Leon remarked.

“Because you are my friend.” Sasha responded in a placid enough voice. “I think you already figured out what Arthur wants me to tell you, or at least most of it. The issue is that Arthur already knew it as well.”

“You knew about her magic?” Sir Leon repeated aloud.

“Merlin told me she has something that can only be explained as such.” Arthur answered. “What I want to know is how strong and, multi-faceted this ability is.”

“Developed at need on a broad range of things. Most of which I can't utilize. I wouldn't worry about or expect its use if I were you.” She paused and looked through her recent memories. “But apparently a door once opened may be stepped through in either direction. Which is to say, if someone prompts or provokes my abilities, they can still work.” Sir Leon blushed. A reaction noticed by the others present. Who very wisely, elected to ignore it. “Either way, I'm not eager to expose my own abilities to these strangers, at least until I figure out why they feel so familiar to me at all. So, whether you were asking about the knights of the round table or our guests, the proverbial ball is in their court...not mine.”

“I have to say I concur.” Sir Leon stated plainly.

“I won't give any orders about this; use your best judgments both of you. But Sasha, be careful.” King Arthur told his friends. He promptly dismissed them and they departed in peace.

In the meantime Merlin was having almost as interesting a conversation with the visitors.

“I believe you will be comfortable here.” The young servant wizard stated plainly, having led the pair to one of the higher rooms in the palace.

“I am certain we will.” Jayden answered simply. “But if I could trouble you for a moment?” Merlin nodded. “Regardless of how long we are here, I believe it would be most helpful and appropriate to have some one guide us in what will be expected of us during our stay.”

“I completely agree sir.” Merlin replied. And catching a look in the man's pale face he hesitated. “Are you asking me to be that guide?”

Riker smiled suddenly. “At least as far as telling us who we're going to meet while we're here and who not to offend, yes.” The smile vanished as he seemed to realize the man probably had other duties. “What is your position here anyway?”

“Officially I am Arthur's servant.” The younger man answered without thinking. “Lately those duties have been very light so it has left me with time for other things. Especially making friends with the knights; and strengthening my friendship with Sasha.”

Jayden lowered his gaze for a split second. When Merlin asked if he was alright, the response was cryptic.“I have a question that will make me sound like either a seer or a fool.”

Riker chuckled at that. “Ask it anyway. That's the only way to know if you're correct in that conclusion.”

“Have some of this kingdom's knights only recently achieved that honor?”

“Data you are the most insatiably curious individual I've ever known.” Riker groaned softly. “And I think that was a near miss.”

“I'm sorry I don't understand.” Merlin half pondered half pressed.

“He's asking if anyone raised simply have been given knighthood and are only just getting used to the honor. Although how that conclusion entered his head I have no clue.”

“Well, that answer is yes.” Merlin answered simply. “Two years ago Arthur and I along with a bunch of friends led a charge to retake Camelot from Morganna...Arthur's half-sister. Those young men who were not already knights were knighted for their valor and loyalty. Why do you ask?”

Riker fidgeted. “Merlin, forgive me but we are basically strangers, and I don't want to make anyone any less alright with us than they already are. The only honest answer we can give is that Sir Percival didn't meet our gaze and barely spoke to us. He didn't seem accou...that isn't even honest either. I've heard of King Arthur and his knights of the round table. I wanted to know if those stories were true.”

“Why couldn't you have just said that?!” Merlin insisted. “If you're from far enough away that those stories just now reached you, or if somehow you didn't trust them, you could have simply asked if the stories were true, could you not?”

Jayden sighed and made an attempt at explanation. “I cannot argue with that dissatisfaction. I simply did not want to sound presumptuous or telepathic.”

“Tele-what?” Merlin breathed.

“Like a seer or a mind reader.” Riker answered at once.

“Well I can't argue with you there.” Merlin replied honestly. “Magic is still basically a capital crime here after all. And even the suspicion of such is something to be fervently avoided.”

“Merlin,” Jayden began slowly. “I honestly believe it is time for each of us to retire. Sometime before we leave, can you and I slip away for some more quiet and open conversation?”

“That sounds like a splendid idea. I'm wondering neither of you have asked me about my original statement. The one I bounded down the steps with.”

Jayden jumped at the chance to answer and interpret that question.“If you mean your assertion that you might meet guests. That would not be at all out of step with what...well I really don't know how to proceed.”

“I think I should leave both of you to get some sleep. And I welcome your suggestion about a more open conversation; especially after that last remark. Good night sirs.”

Merlin slow walked down two flights of steps and across a long hall to get to Sasha's room. He was certain a very long conversation about to happen between them, in the course of which a lot of air would be cleared. He was also quite certain that conversation would happen as soon as he entered her room.

He was right on two counts and wrong on one.

After pounding on the door three times. “Sasha if you're in there at all I need to talk with you.”

“Come on in Merlin.” A voice said from inside.

Merlin entered with less grace and more presence than usual. He was certain she would not like what he would say and was almost as sure of his need for answers. Answers that only she could provide. All such ideas flew from his mind as he saw Sasha sitting on the floor in front of her couch. Her head was bent over the very short table she had insisted on having made for her room. She had her feet tucked under her rear and her face was white. Now Merlin of course knew she had magic. But he also knew that ritual was not part of her spells or her powers. He concluded that this must be a prayer to her interpretation of god. And thus, he had arrived and the worst possible time for this discussion.

“What have I interrupted?” Merlin asked in a low voice.

“I'm trying to remember if I know those visitors.” The young woman answered plainly. “Other than yourself Will is the only person to accept my mind's messages so readily. And I trust that they are friends and explorers, but how could I know that?”

“My first thought is that's what they called themselves.” Merlin quipped.

“No you don't understand Merlin.” Sasha responded shortly. “Once you left I gave Arthur a description of their character and intentions that came completely out of nowhere. I don't doubt my own assertions, but how could I have any to give?”

“Are they honorable?” Merlin ventured.“Since when do you not trust your assertions? I always have since we met in the woods that day. We'd seen each-other's faces prior, but that was an open door. I'm the one who continuously doubts themselves. If you are right about these people, I for one don't care how you know them. I've learned we both are usually right about people's intentions and true motives. I saw Gwaine and Lancelot for who they are. I'm not out of reason to think you can do the same. Who are these travelers?”

Sasha smiled as the memories of meeting the mentioned knights flitted across her mind. She answered easily. “They cannot answer for themselves without lying, but they are as honest in their hearts and minds as any human beings can be. And they either met me a long time ago or they knew my sister Grace. Either would explain a lot. And Jayden is...complicated.”

Merlin was about to ask 'in what manner my friend'. The question died on his lips as he remembered something even more relevant. “Will Riker called Jayden 'data'. What did he mean by that?”

“It's another word for information or knowledge. Indicative of a thirst for wisdom and understanding.” Was the almost immediate reply. A moment later Sasha dropped her head in deep thought. “You are starting to see the possible truth in my story.”

“I'm starting to see you were preparing me for their visit.” Merlin responded in a hard tone.

“Merlin you are incorrect.” Sasha stated coarsely. “I knew those adventures were real. As surely as I know my older travels are history. I did NOT know they could encounter each other. One of us should be the guide for these travelers. You know this world and I know thiers...at least a step removed. I'd almost want Sir Leon to be with us on this but I still wonder...”

“How to ensure you're given that task?” Merlin asked askance. “Ask Arthur for that chance.”

“Merlin, there's another issue. Sir Leon knows most of my secret. Am I safe to tell him yours?”

The younger wizard's answer to a question that was meant to surprise him came after a sharp look into his friend's eyes, and in about three seconds. “If you can send him to me instead of telling him yourself, I'd prefer that. But yes, it's alright. Good night Sasha.”

“You have other duties here. I don't.” Sasha spoke to Merlin's mind. All she said aloud was “G'night.”

Sometime in the middle of the next morning Sasha came into the stranger's room. She had knocked but there was no clear answer. It turned out there was no one in the room. She turned and raced down the stairs to go find Merlin...and very nearly knocked into Sir Leon on the way.

“Sorry, I didn't see you there.” She told the knight as though in passing.

“Clearly.” The man replied simply. “Merlin says you're looking for me.” He added with a smile.

“Not really. But I do think we have a bunch of things to talk about. I can't do cloaks of silence anymore, so why don't we just go to my rooms?”

“Sounds fine to me. And I will ask you about that as well.” Was the concise reply.

They walked down two hallways and up another flight of steps in silence. When Sasha opened the door to her room and walked in, she had expected Sir Leon to follow her right in. But he stood at the threshold.

“Open conversations go both ways right?” She told him. “Come on in and we'll have one.”

At her invitation I walked into her apartments. The room was pretty sparsely decorated. She had a very short, long table in front of what I first mistook to be a comfortable dining seat and a long one. A few minutes later I realized she must sleep there as well: there wasn't any other place for a bed. She sat down at one end of the long table and motioned for me to sit at the other. I did and I just waited.

“You obviously know about my powers.” She told me bluntly. I just nodded. “Do you realize that I haven't been able to use most of them since I finally made the choice and decision to stay here?”

“No but that doesn't surprise me.” I answered plainly.

“This conversation is strictly about how I can trust these visitors so implicitly?” She asked meekly. I nodded again. “Use your words from here on in please? I send messages; I don't receive them unless I'm searching for an answer. I don't think you'd like that.”

I had to give her credit for that perception. “Fair enough. But what is your answer to the question at hand?”

“Either they trust me because they remember my sister Grace, and by inference probably couldn't tell the difference. Or they knew me a long time ago and I simply forgot how far they can travel and how damn near insatiably curious they are.” I stared at her. I was trying to get her to speak plainly without restraint or courtesy. But she seemed too interested in NOT offending me. She apparently saw this even in that look.“They are polite and sincere, almost to a fault. While people here can't satisfy their greed or need for security...people where these two are from have the same trouble not asking too many questions, and are incredibly selfless.”

“And they don't like to...what's that expression you used that time to mean 'be blatantly obvious'?”

“I think, 'stick out like a sore thumb'. Around here things are better than they were as far as what I just described; I get that. But they might not see that. And their world's...a lot like they are...I think.”

“Is there something else you wanted to tell me?” I told her shortly.

“Yes. I will tell it only if you can suggest to me what else I might be hiding?” She answered bluntly.

'Finally! She's being direct and simple.' I thought to myself. “Why you spend so much time around Merlin? And why do the two of you seem to hang on the other's every word?”

“He and I share opinions of magic and the human capacity for selflessness and self-preservation. To be a bit more open about it...We both see way more than most others give us credit for and thus usually end up confiding in each other more than in anyone else. Including Gaius on his part and Arthur on mine. And if you don't mind, I suggest you ask Merlin the rest of that to his face or the visitors about me to their faces?”

“Sounds fine to me.” I told her in what I hoped sounded like a joyous tone. And considering the conversation completely done with, I stood up to leave. She stopped me with a command. “Don't send me any more messages in my head. It hurts to even hear it, even more so to respond.”

“Now that I know, I'll do my best. Besides, in situations with others abou...You mean even when others are around and I don't want them to hear?”

“Of course, I wouldn't bother telling you otherwise. I know you'd not use it at any other time. But it physically hurts to receive a signal at all, no matter why you're sending it.”

“I won't try it again, I promise.” I told her is as confident a voice as I could muster.

I was halfway out the door when I realized Sasha wasn't following me.“Oh I'm not going to be part of this. It's time everyone formed their own opinions based on the evidence of their own eyes. I'm out of the race.”