Dawn of Albion

 (only the first scene is missing)

By this time we'd gotten down to the great hall and Gwaine opened it for me. I saw Arthur sitting on his throne with Merlin standing a little behind and to his left. The stranger that had caused so much confusion was standing in front of them, facing away from me. What made my stomach queasy was that Sir Leon, Sir Percival and Sir Elyan were to my left, spread in a line from the king to the stranger.

“This honestly feels like the trial of a prisoner.” I told them in a cool voice. “I'm sorry, I don't know tradition and protocol in this situation. But I don't think Imad does either.” At his name the man lifted his head and turned to me. “Merlin, I could really use your help right now.” I announced bluntly. “Or at least your advice.”

“You know what my advice would be in this situation. Why do you need me to declare it?”

“Merlin,” Gwaine began slowly. “will you please tell Sasha to do every-thing she can to help us get to the truth of all of this...in as close to those exact words as you can.”

“Sasha, please do any and everything you can to discover and disseminate the truth of this man.” Merlin said in a tone so cold I knew he still wasn't seeing straight.

“Chet nashe Hezikiah, nest za ke.” I told them, lifting my left hand into the air palm and fingers upward, as if I was holding a shiny gold ball up to God or to the world. “Sajiq, I apologize. Merlin's village was raided a while back and your exact features match the man responsible. They have not heard of Syria or Jerusalem, or any thing else that goes along with that territory. I promise, who and what you are had nothing to do with the cold reception you must have received.”

“They could not understand me, how can you?”

“It is a gift of God that you and I can break down this dividing wall. We are willing to look past the barriers our peoples have put between ourselves, so breaking the language barrier down is easy. Your words probably sounded very odd to them. But I doubt they took you as evil.”

“Uhh, can we get to the introductions portion of this introduction?” Gwaine asked me simply. At least I took it as a prompt and a request, directly of me.

“If they can't understand me, will you interpret faithfully?” I heard Imad ask me, in perfect English. From the looks on everyone else's face, they must have heard him in English as well.

“Should I start?” Merlin pondered aloud. Arthur and I both nodded. Merlin walked up to within about 12 paces of Imad. I could tell he was trying his best not to come off as threatening. “Sasha came in with Sir Gwaine. When I first met him he was a heroic stranger who believed who a person is on the inside mattered far more than any title or label the world could give them. I don't know what it's like where you're from but we have very different laws here for commoners than nobles. And Gwaine's sense of honor got him into trouble that was unto itself as wrong and powerful as I tend to get myself into. He was banished. I went looking for him a while later, when the throne was taken from Arthur's father Uther. We three went on the run. I say it that way because Elyan, Percival and Sir Leon joined us at different points in that struggle. Sir Leon was already a knight of Camelot. Arthur my... liege-lord I guess you'd say knighted the others around the table of the court of the ancient kings. They didn't expect or deserve it because of their heritage. It was granted them because of who they were and the quality of their hearts. And the valor and courage they had already. They proved their worth and then were knighted. It was...amazing really.

“I've never heard so much openness from you ever.” Arthur mused. He faced Imad squarely. “I'm sure you'd prefer speaking for yourself, what can you tell us about who you are and where you are from?”

“I am a man of peace.” Imad began slowly. “I know how to fight of course; I am a lord among my people. I just wanted to see a world outside my own eyes. In Syria I am always seen as either a Saracen or a nobleman...never anything other than that. I mean I am both of those things, but that's not ALL I am. Balian was the only man ever to see me any differently. But he did not know I was a lord in my own right and he was a stranger to our shores. When he left, back to his own people, I wanted to go with him...”

“Meshi'ne Santa vie Karandras. Caritas, Hannah, Philio.” I spoke almost forcefully.

Gwaine put his hand on my shoulder and stared into my eyes. “Sasha, are you quite alright?”

“I have three phrases to give you. Imad. I am using them to confirm your identity and your quality; nothing more than that. Are you ready?” Imad nodded and I bowed my head slightly, closing my eyes. “My lord Sa-la-ho-deen.” I could feel his heart warm slightly and I imagine he smiled. “ 'As you deserve. You reap what you sow.'” Though I said this in a casual voice, his head jerked up.

“I take it you also believe that?” Imad asked point blank.

“I'm a Christ follower more than an adherent of Christianity.” I answered with what was probably a confusing smile. “I follow the God of the four gospels as best I can. I wasn't raised within a group of fellow believers, so my faith, while based in the holy bible, is my own...not from a church.”

“Alright, but why did you just get very scared or intimidated?”

“What happened? Why can I no longer understand you?” Gwaine asked me simply

I kept staring into Imad's eyes. “These people have never heard of the cross of Christ. Even if they knew what the word 'Saracen' was, they wouldn't know what it implied for you. I'll shut myself down for another 12 years before I bring that mess to their hearts.”

“I cannot disagree.” Imad said with a sincere smile. “But what is the third statement?”

“It's more a simple, direct question...What is your given name?”

“I am Imad al Din.” The man answered promptly. “But who are the rest of you?”

“Merlin,” Gwaine began slowly. “I think that role should be yours.”

“Sasha has a more clear sight in this than any of us.” Merlin objected.

“Merlin, please.” Sir Leon piped up. “Sasha is not a native of this place. Most of what she knows of us comes from very short visits over years of time. If you want Imad to know what we are like now, speak it from your heart and in the present moment. It's long past time you were completely open about what you think of any of us anyway.”

“Alright.” Merlin said heavily. “I should tell you before anything else, you are in the kingdom of Camelot. Arthur Pendragon is our king. He is also my personal inspiration and a truly noble man. I am not making that up. I didn't exactly earn my place as his...attendant...I guess you would say. But I'm happy I'm so close to him. Sir Gwaine has been introduced. Sir Leon is the man who just spoke. Other than knowing him as uncomplicated and loyal, I don't know what I could say about him. Except he has always...he is the first into danger and the first to follow Arthur's lead. Sir Elyan and Sir Percival are knights of the round table... Like me were not raised at court...Not in the city of Camelot at all. But they at least are warriors. The courage in their hearts shine just as brightly, no matter where they were raised.”

Each knight bowed his head as he was named. At these words Sir Leon jerked his head up.”Merlin, since when need being a solider have anything to do with courage?”

“Uh, can we talk about this later?!” I pressed them.

“Actually,” Imad began. “I am more than a little curious how Merlin does view himself. And this chapter of your story is not so strange to me as you might think.”

I turned to stare at him. “Why do I get the feeling that was directed exclusively at me?”

“Knighting a whole group of commoners I mean.” Imad said, smiling brightly. “In one action giving them something to fight for and showing them they are more already than what they have been told they could ever become. THAT part is easy for me to understand.”

“We always say it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.” I mused. “It's just...I'm surprised anyone besides Lancelot and Gwaine shared that understanding. And I think we both know THAT story can wait.”

“I cannot disagree.” Gwaine quipped. “Although I will place that in the 'to be continued' category. You seem to have pulled a few masks off our faces stranger. I assume that wasn't actually your intent?”

“I don't think that could have been his purpose in coming here.” I told Arthur forcefully. “For one, he didn't know about them, or me for that matter. He did not bring himself here at all. I have not the power or strength of will to pull him through that door or bend the barrier between our worlds. I cannot deny being, between warmed and relieved that he came. But this is his choice and in the purview of the Almighty.”

Imad, Arthur and Gwaine all stared at me. Merlin was sending me urgent messages to the effect of 'shut up or at least be careful', straight to my mind. For once I decided to flatly ignore him. “Imad, I did not bring you here. But I am responsible for your presence here, indirectly. You did not mess things up between everyone here. In fact, this was bound to happen and I am exceedingly grateful you nudged it along. I can't help but think I have put you off...I mean that you are either saddened or irrevocably changed by this experience. Let me know how I can 'soften the blow', as Hannah would have called it.”

“Hannah?” Arthur and Imad both yipped.

“Arthur please dismiss Sir Leon and the other two. This will be a lot easier to say with fewer ears.”

“You don't trust us?” Sir Elyan interjected.

“It's not that Elyan.” I told him simply. “Nothing that is said or revealed here will be hidden from you, I swear it. But it is easier to admit or reveal these things in front of a much smaller group of friends. Oher than Imad himself, Kristaan and Gwaine are the only ones who might understand some of this already, from their own experiences and perspectives. I know enough about them to say that. I understand what this must feel like, not exactly in keeping with your own philosophies. I can't claim to understand you three enough to be comfortable discussing, what I intend to finally speak of openly.”

“Besides,” Gwaine began. “I'm pretty sure that's what will happen even if you stay around. You'll be present but not included. You'll be an audience waiting in the wings. That's a horrible feeling, believe me, I know. And if it will make her feel more comfortable not to have so many eyes and ears around.”

The three knights who had been aside the assembly bowed to Arthur, and departed.

“Hannah is the Hebrew word for 'grace', which was the name my oldest sister chose for herself. Arabic and Hebrew are alike enough, I thought it would be easier to understand. When it comes to it, I actually did mean 'Hannah' as an ideal. You know 'how a graceful child and a mild heart' would have put it. Grace had died by the time I came home...three days later I found this place which has been home to me time out of mind. 'Sophia' is the name you have for my last surviving sibling....Who named herself in memory though not in honor of a girl I never knew.”

“What is 'Miri's Table?” Merlin asked me suddenly.

“Something I would want Imad to sit down and join us in.” I answered simply. “It is very aptly named. All I have to do is explain why I might refer to him as 'Nassir' or 'sajiq' in the course of I..and apparently that it is a table of friends around a feast set for anyone who's heart pursues peace in the way of understanding, not simply a lack of open hostility.”

“Sasha, why are you holding back?” Arthur asked. “I already know pretty much everything.”

“This is the first time I've had to explain my travelers gifts to someone who was not...Since I took the description of Sasha as my name I've had one dream in my heart:To hold the Table of Peace here as I would have done at my home years ago. I've always had abilities that could only be described as magical. They were traveler's gifts meant to help my friends and break down dividing walls and preconceptions between whomever I might meet. They were not meant to make traveling easier for me, I couldn't take part anyway. When I first envisioned staying here for good and all, I thought holding Miri's table would be the last thing I do with this gift. I've never considered a different end to...to my life.”

“...And now you see a different end?” Gwaine prompted me.

“Miri's table, as I held it back home has very little in common with the meal I gave all of you a couple of years ago. The actual symbol 'when you're here, you're family' the table was on Sunday's didn't happen here because all of you have so much in common anyway. But it is a table of peace in the truest sense. And I cannot give that now, because the peace it implies is not mine to ensure.”

“Why am I feeling dressed down for my bad manners?” Merlin and Arthur said at once.

“Arthur, could you find a room pretty high up, maybe with a south facing window for my home? Miri's table will indeed be my swan song, my final gift to my closest friends. But it might not happen for a while. I trust Merlin to understand for himself when that time finally has come. He'll ask me for it.”

“Forgive me,” Gwaine began in a sincerely humble voice. “You sound as if your ability to stay at home and at peace with us is predicated on your ability to hold this commemoration?”

“I don't have a choice anymore. The fact that I'm still here in front of you is proof enough that I will not leave any of you again ever, save when I leave this life. But Merlin will have to ask me to hold a table of peace again. I am no longer a traveler, so I no longer have traveler's gifts...Except when it directly affects my first friend. And they make a direct request. That doesn't just mean you are chronologically the first friend I met here. I trust your judgment of this world more than what anyone else would tell me of it. I depend on, or at least care way more about your opinion and interpretation of me, than how anyone else in Camelot would see me or what they say of me to my face. It is for and because of you I kept coming back. If I use my gifts again, that also will be for and because of you.”

Merlin and Gwen walked into the room allotted to my friend Imad. They found me reclined on the floor with him, sharing a meal of beef tip and pita bread with hummus. I stood up and tried to look embarrassed.

“It's alright Sasha. You deserve some happiness after all this time.” Merlin whispered to me. “I just wanted to see if there was anything Imad would be needing?”

“That isn't what's going on. In Arabia people sprawl out on cushions to eat, and the food does not require forks. My 'caught out' expression is because I think of Gwenievre as a queen. Which now that I live here instead of visiting so freaking often should abide my local custom and tradition. Except I never learned any custom or tradition for interacting with royalty.” I caught a slight look in Merlin's face that told me something was pressing on his mind. It wasn't a burden exactly, but there was something Merlin wanted to get out in the open and address in front of more than just the two of us. Perhaps that was why he'd brought Gwen along. Something of my thoughts probably shown on my face.

“Does Merlin always take such close interest in his guests?” Imad asked aloud, of all of us at once.

“For someone who didn't live here until a few days ago Sasha is a dear and special friend. She's also a better judge of both character and intention than anyone else I know. Anyone she esteems as highly as she speaks of you is well worth extra effort.” Merlin rattled off in a squeaky voice. “And I guess I am too late to make a light meal for you both. But I hope you will accept it if I prepare a meal tonight, for whoever in this room would like to come.”

“I would like that very much.” Imad stated in a quiet, almost restrained voice. “There is something I have to clear up first.” He turned and looked at me with chilly eyes. It felt as if he couldn't decide for himself if he should feel sorrow, regret or simply embarrassment at whatever had gone unaddressed. Merlin looked deeply concerned for a moment. I shook my head slightly and looked at my Saracen friend.

“I appreciate the invitation and confirmation to stay. I feel both honored and comforted that you seem genuinely concerned for my comfort as well as my...well-being. But you were mistaken on one thing.” Imad began slowly. I looked even harder at him, as did the others in the room. “My people have strict rules on what is acceptable to eat. Cooking meat separate from dairy is not one of them.”

“Was I getting Kosher and Halal confused?” Sasha inquired.

“I think you know which one applies.” Imad answered with a smile.

“Halal, of course. Are you saying it is not as strict...restrictive?” My friend nodded deeply, with another shy smile on his face. “Okay...feeling a little stupid right now.” I said weakly.

Merlin and Gwen looked at each-other and silently agreed: Something I considered normal was not all right with Imad. At least, that was how I interpreted their gaze. Imad must have noticed it too, as he shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “What is the confusion?” he inquired. My smile broadened, I forced a tone into my words so that everyone present would hear me in Arabic and answered. “They can sense something is making us uncomfortable. It feels something has 'come up' between us which we do not know how to alleviate. At least, they don't. Without knowing what 'kosher' and 'halal' are, they have no way to know how great or small the difficulty is. May I...?”

“Of course.”

“Merlin, Gwen, nothing is wrong. There are two sets of religious rules on what is permitted or forbidden to eat; Kosher and Halal. While I understand there is a difference, I thought the 'don't mix meat with dairy' regulation belonged to both. It's an easy mistake to make when you don't follow either one. My original instruction to you Merlin, not to melt cheese onto meat, apparently isn't a rule in Halal...So none of us should be worried about it.”

“Which is why this needed clearing up before you made them a meal.” Gwenievre put forth. “There is something fairly pressing on my mind as well, something I think only Sasha can address.” I gave an encouraging nod.“Do you still have your traveler's gifts? More to the point, is the first promise you made to us dependent on whether or not you have them?”

“I can honestly say I don't understand. I know you refer to Miri's table but I never made a promise about that. I know I declared my intention to hold it again but, that's not the same thing, is it?” I noticed Imad was looking between the four of us as if we were speaking Lakota instead of English. “Miri's table was a table of peace and equality I held on Sabbat days growing up. It was to have been the last thing I did with my traveler's gifts. Which I no longer have, because I am no longer traveling. But when I made my promise to hold that meal I did not call it by that name. I guess if they know a declared intention is as good as a promise for me...”

“Which we do.” Merlin posed.

“Ah. Then yes, I do intend to hold Miri's Table for each of you. But it won't look the same as I first imagined it, because I won't be able to provide the food, only to serve it. To,. Even if for a moment, take Merlin's place for a day. As I had planned on long ago.”

“THAT'S Miri's Table?” Merlin squeaked.

“Sajiq...my friend... 'Miri' was the name I went by when I first started traveling. The word literally means 'of peace'; though I didn't know that at the time. Anything meant as a peace, a sanctuary, a refuge or a stop along the road is literally Miri's Table. It's who and what I am. This is just the first time in nineteen years the memorial and testement itself comes so close to the sabbat we held so long ago.” Imad himself was confused, and made no attempt to hide it. The others were simply arrested in their responses. “Imad will understand what I mean when I put it this way. Every seventh day we held a sabbath, a time of rest and fellowship. This came to be called 'Miri's Table', by our guests because I was the host and they knew that was my name. I have been away from home for almost twenty years. In that time my sisters came to see this stop along the road as a Sabbat, like Ramadan or Hanukah. But as the original desginer and host, I can say with authority it is a place of peace and a time of fellowship...no matter what form it takes.”