Lancelot and Leon Ending

 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.”

“No sir. I owe you a debt of gratitude, on her behalf.” Sir Leon pondered aloud. “Sasha herself will be relieved to hear she isn't as...that her theories and sensations about you are near the mark.”

“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.

“Sasha, why has it taken you this long to bring this up?” Was King Arthur's only reaction to his younger friend's suggestion, which she made promptly at breakfast the next day.

“I've never had this much of a reason to give Merlin a break from his duties and, honestly, I don't think you have either.” It was a not so veiled reference to Arthur's joke about Merlin's place at his side. But Arthur didn't seem to appreciate the reference.

“You mean this might help me out as much as it'll help explain things to Jayden?” He replied stiffly.

“I mean Riker will want to learn things from you just as Merlin wants to learn things from Jayden And the exchanges of information will be true exchanges.”

Jayden and Riker were seated at one of the longer tables with Percival and Sir Leon at the time. So they didn't hear any of this. When they saw Arthur bend his head in deep thought, then wave his hand to dismiss Merlin, they assumed the answer was in the affirmative. A few minutes later all five of them gathered in the great hall. Sasha suggested she, Riker and Arthur should ride out to a fork in the road to have their conversation, while Merlin and Jayden could go wherever they felt would suit their comfort and need. It was a n idea warmly supported by the others. Not two hours later the three riders departed, at an easy pace.

“I'm really not sure where to go from here.” Sasha mentioned once they were completely out of town.

“Really, you're the one who suggested it.” Arthur prodded.

“I know where I want to end up. I never...How did you actually GET to that split in the road when you and Merlin were following a horse?” Arthur's ears turned pink.

“I'm going to assume that's a private joke between the two of you.” Riker stated, as though in passing.

“I'll let that go for now.” Arthur eventually replied. “We have other business.”

They rode in near silence for almost an hour before Arthur drew his horse to a stand still. They were indeed at a parting in the road. “Where to?” Arthur asked of Sasha.

“There was a campfire here somewhere; I KNOW that.”

Arthur led them down the right-hand path. No explanation or further inquiry was made. Thirty minutes later Arthur pulled his horse to a complete stop and invited his friends to do the same. “This is where the ambush happened. I'll assume that's what you referred to.”

“If I understand you at all correctly and am not missing anything, yes.” Sasha replied, almost testily. She walked up to the fire pit, propped the sticks she'd brought with her into a tall triangle and lit them with what Arthur took to be magic, but was really just a spark jug.

“Okay maybe you're not who I thought you were.” Riker intoned gently.

“I have three older sisters you know.” Sasha replied with a grin.

“Now I don't understand.” Arthur stated impatiently.

Without instruction all of them sat down for the long and messy conversation they all knew would follow. But let's see what Jayden and Merlin were up to. We can return to this place again later.

“Merlin I am confused by you.” Jayden admitted softly as they made their way to the north-most room in the entire castle, in other words, to Sasha's room.

“I can assure you the feeling is mutual.” Merlin answered in what was meant to be a casual voice.

“Where are we going?” The stranger continued, unabated.

“The only place in this whole city I know we won't be overheard.” Came the instant reply. “Sasha chose her room because it was out of the way. It's sole purpose seems to be for private conversations.”

at once Merlin guided Jayden up to my room, tapping the center of the door three times and walking in with no further ceremony. Once they were seated across the short table from each-other, so my makeshift bed was on Merlin's left and Jayden's right, Merlin lost no time in posing the question that was on his mind.

“What are you sir?”

“Why do you believe I am anything but what you are?”

“I uh...I meant to ask your condition...your situation.” Merlin openly lied.

“I am Will Riker's equal and his friend. We are not equal in all things but...” Right about there the true meaning of Merlin's question dawned in his mind. “...I repeat my question.” Was all he said in response.

“I scanned the surface of your and Riker's minds. I couldn't see anything in yours except a desire to be understood and to understand. Commander Riker held these same concerns, but his admiration for our 'little world' nearly drowned them, as it were. Also you both must follow a very strict set of rules.”

“Little wonder Arthur seems to rely on you concerning visitors.” Data, as was his true name, interpreted, not bothering to remark on the proper use of Will Riker's rank.

“HE doesn't know I do it. For that matter, I don't usually use my gifts that way. You and Will behaved so oddly, not the least around Sasha herself, I wanted to learn for myself what could be the issue.”

“Why would you not tell your liege about your gifts?” The other man stated, bluntly curious. “For that matter, why is it such a secret?”

“I uh, I seriously don't understand your confusion.” Merlin admitted softly.

“We are not from this island. I had assumed...Camelot in particular...was blessed by magic.”

“Your assumption was very much incorrect.” Merlin near-laughed. “Magic is punishable by death in Camelot and under Arthur's father, that was usually the result. Because he learned what I am, Arthur has tried to be more tolerant of 'the old ways'. He still hasn't made it any less of a crime...not for good and all.”

“So, if I may ask, who already knows the truth? I would assume Sasha learned it somehow.”

“Sasha has always known, since the first time we actually met.” Merlin answered, now clearly laughing. “Sir Leon just found out a day or so ago and Arthur was told over six weeks ago.”

Jayden took a moment to consider everything that had happened in his visit. After a long pause, he stated in a defeated voice. “You have trusted me. I would be most unfair not to 'open up' to you.”

“I don't want you to say anything you are not comfortable sharing with me.” Merlin insisted.

“That is a part of it unto itself. I have no concept of comfort, or emotion or even taste. I may refer to Dr Soong as my father but it is a figure of speech...I am a constructed being. I do not know if I have a soul, so please do not ask. I have free will and I am not indebted to anyone except my captain. That is, I am not under obligation to anyone except Jean-Luc Picard, the Captain of our ship. So much is...accepted.”

To Data's surprise and lasting confusion he found Merlin laughing. For a moment, he was convinced he was being laughed at. When Merlin regained control he explained. “My friend as long as you can say with a straight face that you have a conscience and understand loyalty I don't care what you are.”

“Both of which I can assure you, I do.” Data replied almost at once.

“I have to tell you though. According to Sasha I'm the most open, fair minded person in this kingdom. It's one of the reasons we are such great friends. I wouldn't risk letting anyone else know about this. You might get beheaded as a product of magic, or a soulless monster.”

Data stared. “Forgive me but I have never been so easily accepted by someone who lived as you do.”

“What, in fear for their lives if anyone figured out the truth of their existence? Do you simply mean 'as primitive as this'.” A single look from Data answered his question quite completely. “In a twisted, round about sort of way, I've had a 'head's up' about your existence, and the reality of your construction. Just not about your coming here, or even that you could or would.”

“Please elaborate.” The android intoned.

“Do you really live on a ship in a sea of stars?” Merlin replied. Data did not verbally respond. “I'll take that as a yes. Captain Picard must rely on your fair judgment the way Arthur relies on mine.”