A Stranger Tale

 Sir Leon held up his right hand to stop whatever 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 here 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 personally. 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. And if it's alright with you my King, I'll 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's answer to that was almost exasperated, and very clipped. “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 and on a broad range of things. Most of which I can't utilize anymore. I wouldn't worry about or expect its use if I were you.” She paused and considered the past few minutes. “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 are assigned as their guide?” Merlin asked askance. “Ask Arthur for that chance.”

“Merlin, there's another problem here. 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 'being blatantly obvious'?”

“I think you mean 'stick out like a sore thumb'. And 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. “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. Or to be a bit more open about it all...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.”

About an hour later, completely missing lunch, Sir Leon pounded on the door to the rooms Merlin shared with his guardian Gaius. The healer opened the door, saw in an instant the concern and distress on the knight's face, and stated.“I take it this should be a private conversation between Merlin and yourself?”

“I'm not inconsiderate enough to ask you to fill in the blanks. Yes, I'd like to talk with him alone.”

Gaius tapped on the door to Merlin's bedroom and left. Sir Leon entered the room and quickly shut the door, then turned and stared Merlin in the face for several seconds. There was only course of action left.

“Merlin, you know Sasha has magic right?” Sir Leon inquired before he could get a word out.

“That's what's got you this worked up?” Merlin stated, clearly doubting the accuracy of his words.

“Well no. I have a suspicion about why you and she are such great friends. I went to talk with her about it but she would not directly answer me, she said I should ask you directly. That's what I'm doing.”

“Sir Leon, Sasha counts me a friend for exactly whatever reason she gave you. I count her my friend cause she listens without judgment and stands at my side no matter what else is going on. Also she never denies what she really thinks of anything, and doesn't hide. Unlike me.”

Sir Leon didn't seem to have heard the last two words. “It isn't because...I don't even know how to say this.”

“Leon shut up and listen to me.” Merlin near-commanded. “I have magic. I am Arthur's friend and protector AND his servant. I would not chose to be anyone or anything than what and where I am. After our guests leave we'll sit down and talk all this through, promise . For now, we have other concerns.”

“You think ill of our guests?” Sir Leon wondered.

“No.” Merlin answered weakly. “I don't think anything of them, good or bad. I'm asking you to be my ears; find out what kind of people they are. Then tell me everything of what you think of me. Please.”

Sir Leon sighed heavily. “I can't say I'm against finding out more about these guests. So all right.”

Which is why Jayden and Riker had an unusual visitor and a very long conversation before supper that same day. There's no point in relaying the entire conversation. This bright spot might be needed later on.

“How long have you known Sasha?” Jayden asked the knight.

“She was visiting Camelot for years.” Sir Leon answered at once. “She stayed here permanently a little over two months ago. From what I gather Arthur and Merlin always expected she'd eventually be able to stay for good and all. And a place was made for her here. Why do you ask about her?”

Jayden looked within himself a moment and responded.“She seems familiar to us. But there is nothing in her behavior to indicate she even remembers us.”

“Quite so.” Riker intoned. “So I have to conclude we are all out of our reckoning. The resemblance is striking though, wouldn't you say?”

“You have someone like her in your life.” Sir Leon concluded.

“Indeed yes.” Jayden exuded. “But it is clear this woman does not recognize us.”

“You are incorrect at that.” The knight replied simply. “You feel familiar to her. But she is unsure if she knows you. By her own words her memory of life before she began visiting us is...fragmented.”

“Well that's the other part of it.” Will Riker stated reluctantly. “She'd have to have been visiting us and you at the same time. And that doesn't seem very likely, does it?”

“...I see the confusion.” Was all Sir Leon said in response. “You might be thinking of Grace.”

“That was the name our friend gave us,” Riker began slowly. “How do you know it?”

“Sasha referred to Grace as her older sister. Today is the first I've heard the name.”

“You are answering a lot more questions and filling in a lot more gaps than you might realize.” Riker stated in a voice so soft he might have been speaking to himself. “I should thank you for it.”

“Sasha herself will be relieved to hear she isn't so far off her base as she was concerned about.”

“Sir Leon, could you answer me something?” Riker pondered aloud.

“I'll do my best.” Sir Leon answered easily.

“What was Merlin referring to, with the Tavern and the griffin?”

“We first met Lancelot, peace to his heart, right before the Griffin attacked Camelot. From what I understand, he's the one who slayed it. Which was odd because he was supposed to be in jail for pretending to be a knight. He received his rank a couple of years later and two years ago. If I know Sir Gwaine at all, it isn't unreasonable to think they met him in a tavern. What specifically Merlin referred to, I couldn't say.”

Jayden gave a soft smile. “'Everything happens for a reason; coincidence can be a blessing'. Or something like that. More to the point, we should not dismiss any event or seeming accident out of hand.”

“Which, I perceive, is a reason it's good to have Merlin around.” Riker suggested blithely.

The conversation resumed its focus on Merlin, Arthur and the indelible bond between them. The fact of Merlin's powers was not mentioned. That would have been much harder to explain. Neither side raised the issue...because neither side knew the other was aware of the issue at hand.

“Jayden, no offense I hope but why do you sound so unsure of yourself all the time?”

“Merlin, now I have a question that will make me sound like a seer. Why are you and Sasha friends if not for the simple fact of what you each can do?”

All color and blood flooded into Merlin's face. “Sir I don't know how you know that and I don't know whether to plead with you not to tell anyone or demand that you don't.”

Sasha walked up the the three of them and stood right beside Merlin and in front of Jayden. “The answer to his supposition is the affirmative.”

"I'm sorry, what?" Merlin asked turning toward his friend in confusion and surprise.

"I'll explain it like this my friend. Data knows we both have magic, or in my case, strong inexplicable powers which are called such. To an extent he is right in his first assertion: I have an open and humble mind because of my abilities and oddities. That open, tranquil mind is in turn responsible for our friendship. Mostly it's because we both see things others miss and usually choose to keep quiet about them." She turned to stare Jayden in the face. "Like my observations about your inner workings and thirst for human understanding?”

Merlin was shocked at his own interpretation of this as he exuded "Are you saying Jayden isn't human?"

"He's human in every way that matters." Sasha assured her friend. "He never really considered himself a NORMAL human and thus was insatiably curious as to everything that description meant. Am I not right?"

"Most of my friends have described me this way since my hearing.” Jayden pondered aloud.

“I'm sorry what?” Merlin intoned shortly.

“Something to determine his rights and status.” Will Riker stated firmly. “If I interpret your facial expressions correctly, you now require the 'more private conversation' we originally offered?”

Realizing this was a question, Merlin nodded his head. A moment later he hung it.

“Don't worry.” Sasha intoned gently. “I think I can keep my original promise one last time.” This of course drew stares from everyone present. “I promised the old king and Arthur, on two separate occasions that if ever I could step into Merlin's shoes and not humiliate him in the process, I would do it. I don't mean in the public humiliation kind of way. But I was pretty sure it would embarrass the hell out of him. No one with a true servants heart would ever be comfortable having a server. I realize I never actually told you this Merlin. Heck for a while I wasn't even sure about it. But I'll do my best...on both sides.”

“In the course of which I will learn who exactly you are to these people.” Riker insisted.

“We still need Arthur's affirmation on this.” Merlin reminded his friends.

“Then I suggest we all go up and ask for it.” Riker offered at once. “Rather, YOU should. I've noticed he relies on you more than in your capacity as a valet.” Merlin blushed. At once the pair of friends set out to follow Riker's suggestion. They realized the King would likely be asleep, and returned to Sasha's quarters.