(no subject)

[blue_ajah]

She is upstairs working this evening, alternating between several projects in order that she might remain able to view each with clear mind and focus.

Moiraine has just set aside a journal open to her notes on the loosening of the Pattern and its effect on the dead of her world -- and now, perhaps, another -- and turned again in her anthology of poetry to a particular work, marked with a blue silk ribbon.

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[gramarye1971]

Merriman has not been in the bar much of late. Quite a lot of his time (relatively speaking, of course) has been spent in long and exceedingly technical discussions with the others of the Circle in the castle outside Time.

Discussions can only go so far, though. Sometimes, a different perspective is required.

He had attempted to take notes to help him sort out his thoughts, but he had run up against the fact that discussing ways to adapt magic to an unfamiliar situation occasionally requires language that falls outside even what the Old Speech can provide. The one page of notes he had made required eight different languages and three different writing systems -- just looking at it gave him something of a headache, and he had no desire to go back and decipher it later. So his hands are empty when he pauses outside the door of Moiraine's study and knocks quietly.

His mind, it might be said, is overly full.

[blue_ajah]

She glances up and toward the door, but the wards she has placed are not reacting as they would have to a true stranger -- and in fact, are reacting in such a way as only the presence of a very few could cause.

As a result, the Aes Sedai simply calls out,

"Come in."

[gramarye1971]

The door opens part of the way, and Merriman's head and part of his shoulders appear around it, peering into the room -- much as he would have done at the study door of one of his Oxford colleagues in days past.

'Good evening, Moiraine. I am not disturbing your work, by any chance?'

[blue_ajah]

"It is nothing that cannot be set aside for the present," she assures him, turning away from the books and rising from her seat. "Your presence is not an intrusion, to be certain."

A pause, as she studies him, and then Moiraine asks quietly,

"How are matters with you?"

[gramarye1971]

There is silence, for a long moment.

'"Complicated", I think, is an apt enough term for it.' Also quietly. 'But there has been progress, of sorts.'

[blue_ajah]

"I should be interested to hear of it."

She gestures toward the sofa, her graceful movement encompassing the armchair as well.

"Sit, and I will prepare the tea."

[gramarye1971]

He crosses to the sofa and sits, smoothing out his robes as he does so.

'The technical aspects of it are not easy to translate into standard speech -- but then, you know that well enough. The main point is that it appears that Bran Davies will be able to act as regent in his father's place, should he be required. It will not be a perfect replacement, but it can be done.'

It took several all-night sessions to get that far.

[blue_ajah]

She does not appear particularly surprised to hear this, as it happens. Moiraine nods slightly, listening, even as she carries the tea service over to the sofa and sets it on the low table there.

She takes a seat on the sofa as well and channels briefly, heating water and setting tea to brew; then pours, and passes him the first cup before taking her own.

[gramarye1971]

'Thank you.' He takes the tea she passes to him, and sips it gratefully before lowering the cup and saucer to his lap. 'It will need the full power of the Circle, which means that Will Stanton must be present for the duration as well. As far as holding the pattern goes....'

He trails off for a moment, a slight pause. 'It may be less a matter of control and more a matter of guidance, I think.'

[blue_ajah]

"And memory," she murmurs, with strange certainty. "But I would not disagree, guidance would seem to be more necessary. To control something like that..."

A pause, and dark eyes meet his.

"Have you spoken with Raven?"

[gramarye1971]

He nods. 'I have. The guidance was his suggestion -- "reminding", as he put it. Which is a sound enough way of putting it. The land needs a king, and so long as it has a near-approximation, it should remain for the most part intact.'

He takes another long sip of tea, savouring the warmth and gentle flavour. 'My main concern in this now is Bran's general health and well-being. He has a power of his own, but he has little enough experience of maintaining that power for any extended length of time.'

[blue_ajah]

"It is something that is difficult to do, untrained," she replies, curving her fingers around her own cup.

Moiraine is watching Merriman very closely, now.

[gramarye1971]

That prompts a tired sort of half-smile. 'Training for it would pose its own set of difficulties, I suspect. Not least of which for the reason that I am not so certain it is something that one can train for.'

[blue_ajah]

"To a degree, it is," she demurs. "Instinct will help, of course, and with experience and time as well he will become more secure, but there are techniques that can be used to aid in such things."

[gramarye1971]

Now his gaze turns slightly inquisitive. 'Such techniques might include?'

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine meets his glance, considering, and then nods as if deciding something.

"Matters of training are ... perhaps not entirely sealed to the Tower, but in this case it would not matter, even if so," she tells him. "Given who and what you and Will are, and who Bran Davies is."

"I could not teach him, were he of my own world. Those who wield saidar cannot teach for those who channel saidin -- one might sooner teach a fish to fly, or a cat to dance. But I have spoken with him of technique before, to manage temper, and it is not dissimilar."

A faint smile.

"Nor is it the method of the ko'di that a blademaster might use to train his student, but it will serve."

[gramarye1971]

Merriman glances down at his teacup, studying its depths for a long moment

('I know that I will need help to see this through.')

before he meets Moiraine's gaze again.

'What I am about to ask is, to say the least, unorthodox,' he begins carefully. 'But this matter demands all manner of unorthodox approaches. The powers of the Circle will be taxed to the limit to keep the magic of the land within safe boundaries. We will need help in this, and it would be best if the help were to come from someone who Bran, Will, and I know and trust.'

He sets his cup to one side and stands, his robes settling into place with a faint whisper of dark cloth. The serious, solemn expression on his face is heightened by the deliberately formal timbre of his voice when he says:

'I speak as my lord Arthur's advisor and with his authority when I formally request the favour of your presence and assistance during the period of Bran Davies' regency.'

[blue_ajah]

Dark eyes widen in visible surprise, and then as he speaks, she becomes utterly still. It is not the first time that they have discussed matters of aid to be exchanged back and forth between them, far from it-- indeed, by now they have come to something of an understanding as allies who share the same cause, even if not the same world.

And yet, Moiraine is perfectly well aware that Merriman Lyon would never make such a request of her as this, were the need not severe.

You have a war of your own to fight - that must take priority. I would not wish it otherwise.

For a long moment the two of them form something of an odd tableau-- the tall man with the hawk-like countenance who seems almost to tower as he stands before her, displaying a subtle intensity that echoes even through the stark words of protocol, and the small, slender woman who remains composed and seated, looking up at him with no sign of her thoughts visible on her ageless, serene face.

And then, a faint, weary smile touches her lips, and Moiraine holds out her hand to him.

"I will do what I may, and all that I can-- including this, if it is indeed possible. On that, you have my word. Now take your seat again, Merriman, and let us figure out what may be, and how it is to be accomplished."

[gramarye1971]

It is not a request he could have made in any conscience if the need was anything short of severe. There is nothing of pride nor of mistrust in his reluctance to ask -- it is simply that he knows, firsthand, something of what she is going through right now.

He reaches out to take her small and delicate hand in both of his large ones, just for a moment, and bows his head a little in silent acknowledgment. But he does follow her request, and soon he has both his seat and his cup of tea again.

'Time passes differently in a land that exists outside of it, so I have no real means of knowing how long this regency will need to last.' He swirls the dregs of the tea in his cup. 'It may be a span of months which will have the length of days here, or vice versa, or something entirely different. But even if Will and I are not able to leave the land during that time, either of us may possibly be able to open a door back to Milliways if you have need of it.'

He can give no categorical assurance of his ability to do so -- the amount of magic needed to keep the land whole could very well prevent him from opening a door leading elsewhere -- but he will make the attempt without a second thought, if the need arises.

[blue_ajah]

"Or Gwion, possibly," she says, after a moment's thought. "Come to that, it is not impossible that I myself might be able to travel back and forth in the manner that I was able to open the Gateway to China -- once I learn the territory, and if it is stable enough."

There is a moment's silence before Moiraine says,

"I am willing to risk it, although it would not be well for me to be trapped outside Time, Merriman, as I am certain you know."

A pause, and then, very softly,

"Although in a sense, it would not be the first time, and in a way it could be said that such a place is where I should be, at present."

[gramarye1971]

Merriman nods, quiet but resolute. 'Then we may set that aspect aside for the present, and turn to related matters.'

He finishes the last of the tea in his cup, setting it back on the saucer.

'As best I can determine,' he continues, 'the magic of the land will react to Bran Davies in much the same way as it would to my lord Arthur. Those of the Circle will work to keep that magic within manageable levels, particularly during the initial period in which his body and mind will need to adjust to its presence. With any luck, there is very little that he will actually have to do...he will simply have to be.'

At least, that is what Merriman sincerely hopes.

[blue_ajah]

"It seems plausible," she says, after some consideration. "He is not unaccustomed to being a conduit, of sorts, and to having power run through him. It is something that one can become able to manage, as well, once one is more familiar with such a feeling and able to balance it."

A faint smile, and she adds,

"It does not even matter too much that he is mortal, I do not think. I myself am, after all."

[gramarye1971]

'Indeed,' Merriman concurs. 'Yet another reason why your assistance would be welcome, at that.'

He seems to be on the point of saying something more, but then his mouth twitches slightly in a rueful sort of way.

'Is there anything in particular that you might wish to know? It might be preferable or at the very least easier for me to answer questions rather than merely provide explanations.'

[blue_ajah]

Curiosity sparks in her glance as he visibly chooses not to speak of something, but Moiraine does not press, at present.

Instead, she asks quietly,

"Has there been any further indication that this might in fact become truly necessary, rather than merely being preparations made as precaution?"

[gramarye1971]

'I spoke to Paul Schafer a while ago,' Merriman says, his expression slightly wry. 'He seems to have no more information than Miss Ford does, and also seems to be somewhat aggravated by the fact that this is very much a waiting game. But as to any specific indication that the precautions taken will be necessary....'

He trails off, shaking his head. 'Nothing definite. Not that I have heard, as of yet.'

[blue_ajah]

"I have not myself spoken with Paul of late, nor have I yet encountered Kim Ford," Moiraine replies, "but I have encountered two others of the world where war has begin-- of Fionavar."

She looks thoughtful, and taps a finger against her teacup.

"The one, Jaelle, calls herself the High Priestess of Dana. The other, Galadan... is intriguing."

[gramarye1971]

'I have met Jaelle, as it happens.' Merriman's brow furrows in consideration. 'The other I have not met -- "intriguing", you say?'

That word, in Merriman's general experience, usually does not translate to "nice".

[blue_ajah]

"Intriguing," she agrees, but there is nothing of coldness or distaste to her tone -- only of introspection.

"He is of the andain, he says, which would appear to be the children of unions between gods and mortals, and he is their leader."

Moiraine smiles slightly at some thought, and glances up at Merriman.

"He is very skilled at Daes Dae'mar, I believe-- and he seems to have very great respect for Paul Schafer, who he called Mornir's chosen."

In the next moment, her smile is gone again, and her expression is one of absolute seriousness as she says,

"He also knows the tale of Arthur Pendragon, and would seem to have rather less respect for you... or rather, for 'Merlin.'"

[gramarye1971]

He listens without comment to her description and explanation, though one eyebrow goes up in a deliberate arch at her last comment.

'That is not an uncommon sentiment,' he murmurs, rather flatly. 'I can think of any number of reasons as to why that might be so, depending on which variation of the tale he knows. And not all of those reasons would be misguided ones, either.'

He taps his fingertips together, still with the same flat expression on his face. 'Though interestingly enough, a number of variations on the legend have Merlin as the child of a mortal woman and a demonic being, with the infernal realm as the source of his power and visions. The child of a god and a mortal, as it were.'

[blue_ajah]

"Really? Now that is very interesting indeed."

There is a pause, and then Moiraine continues,

"He informed me that 'Merlin' was never the great advisor or strategist that he believed himself to be, and spoke of a mistake that led Arthur to the slaughter of children."

Her gaze is level, and steady upon his.

"From what I know of you, and what you have indicated of Arthur Pendragon, it seems unlikely that he is acquainted with the tale from your world. Perhaps there is hope to be found in that."

[gramarye1971]

Merriman closes his eyes briefly, concealing whatever expression might have been visible in them.

'The Mayday massacre.' It comes out as more of a sigh than anything else. 'Not present in every version of the tale, but one of the more defining moments in many of them. If that is the story he knows, then I am not so surprised that he would not think highly of Arthur's advisor -- or indeed, of Arthur himself.'

He really does want to hope that the difference in the stories will be enough to prevent the summoning. But there is a voice in the back of his mind that will not be silenced, cold and dry and sounding very like his own.

You were fortunate then. And yet for all that...you will not be so fortunate now.

[blue_ajah]

Several seconds pass in silence before she says quietly,

"Is it a true telling, then?"

There is absolutely nothing of judgement in her tone or manner; in fact, her demeanor and expression are perfectly neutral, now.

[gramarye1971]

'In my world, it is not.'

He says it with perfect calm, though the slight lift of his chin and a barely perceptible squaring of his shoulders lends the gravitas of a proclamation to his words.

'The prophecy was there, true enough. The child born of his father's great shame, the child who would bring about his father's downfall. But the Dark would have rejoiced in the slaughter...and the troublesome thing about prophecy is that it generally manages to find a way to circumvent any attempt to avoid unpleasant outcomes.'

For just a moment, something of his actual age -- and a long weariness -- shows through in the depths of his gaze.

'The child lived,' he concludes in the same flat tone as before, 'as did all those of his generation who might otherwise have not. And the prophecy came to pass, as it would have come to pass with or without outside interference.'

[blue_ajah]

"Such is often the way of prophecy, that any attempt to either bring it to a conclusion or to prevent it entirely might well have effects other than those intended."

There is dark certainty apparent as she says this, but then her tone gentles somewhat.

"But do not lose hope, Merriman, for it seems clear that whatever world Galadan and the others are from, the tale of Arthur Pendragon there is not the same-- as it is not in mine, come to that. Similarities between the worlds are one thing, but altering the fate of another world entirely to affect one's own?"

The Aes Sedai shakes her head.

"It seems unlikely, to say the least. Perhaps not impossible, of course, but unlikely."

[gramarye1971]

He nods, considering her words.

'That is what I hope as well. If the difference is great enough, perhaps that will be sufficient. But it seems that we will not know for certain until Miss Ford's vision and subsequent summons comes to pass.'

For good or ill.