It was two days after the Singing, and a mentally exhausted Jim was saying goodbye to the asheerans. The emotional upheaval from the night before still had him reeling slightly, but he managed to stay reasonably put together as he and King Herodion walked to the transport room, followed by the King's children and their Guardians. The twins had once more donned their masks, and their wide vacant eyes showed not a hint of the powers that lay within them. It was even more eerie now, that Jim knew what it felt like to look into those eyes.
"I hope we have not caused too much grief" The King said carefully, overtly looking Jim over. Battling the urge to rub his cheeks like a little boy, Jim shook his head.
"There might have been some turmoil, but in the end I think we will be better off for it. The Enterprise thanks you."
King Herodion bowed, then stepped onto the platform to beam down to his planet.
"And I, Herodion, King of Asheera, thank you for your hospitality and kindness Jim Kirk." He raised his hand in the vulcan salute. But the words he said were definitely not vulcan. "Keelah Se'lai."
Jim blinked in confusion, but before he had time to ask what the phrase meant the asheerans were gone. As if they had never been there. Just another group of travellers. Jim thought of his secret. Of dark eyes that stared into your soul. Of the words that the asheerans had chosen to symbolise the song of his heart. He found himself hoping he would meet King Herodion and his children again, and maybe they would have another song for him then.
For now, he needed to talk to Bones.
Someone should know his secret.