Chapter One. Where All Good Stories Start... Once upon a time...
Dr. Daniel Jackson stood at the end of the table in the briefing room and he was definitely in 'lecture mode.' He enjoyed this. He was a good teacher and he knew it, but he wasn't boastful about it. He enjoyed giving lectures and this time, he felt he had their undivided attention. "PF7-144 looks like a favorable planet to visit. The Malp showed a structure in the distance that looks like a castle, circa 8th century earth although it's in surprisingly good shape, from what we can tell at this distance." He used his laser pointer to call attention to the castle. "We haven't seen any people but there is a road in the background that looks well worn, as if it gets regular use. A stone marker near the road is written in very, very old English. The surface is eroded and I can't make out what it says without seeing it up close."
"And you want to go there for what reason, Dr. Jackson?" General Landry sat at the end of the table with is fingers steepled together. He knew that the International Oversight Advisory would want a good reason to justify spending the money on this mission, so the question needed to be asked."
Daniel flipped a switch that brought the lights back up in the room and then he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Well, Sir, the castle itself indicates probable earth based human occupation. The ruins might be able to give us more information about that time period. There's very little written about the Dark Ages. It would be interesting to see if Science and Education were allowed to flourish there. What effect may that have had on the culture? On earth, the sciences were banned and superstition was rampant. If PF7-144 was allowed to progress, who knows what kinds of medical and science technology they might have developed?" He looked hopeful, an almost pleading look on his face.
Sam looked at General Landry and said, "Sir, if that's true, we could benefit from this in ways we never dreamed of."
"Okay, SG-1, you have a go. You have four days. I expect daily reports."
Daniel smiled as he glanced at Sam, who gave him a wink and a smile in return.
O O O O O O
"Everyone ready?" Cameron was dressed in his fatigues and was anxious to get the missions started. As leader of Sg-1, he'd read all the mission files from previous years and wanted to get out there and experience some of the adventure himself. The few he'd been on had been fraught with danger so a nice, friendly 'meet and greet' was definitely in order.
Vala and Daniel entered the gate room and were already arguing about any chance that they would find treasure and if they did, she wouldn't be able to keep it.
"That's unfair! You wouldn't let me keep any of the stuff we found in Avalon, and if it hadn't been for me, you wouldn't have even known about it!" Vala pouted and stomped into the gate room, dragging her pack across the floor.
Daniel's face was red and he looked like he was ready to explode. "Pick that up! Why are you being so difficult? Are you trying to get on my nerves or does it just come natural with you?"
"You'll know when I try, Darling. You haven't seen anything, yet." She stuck her tongue out at Daniel and then followed Cam through the gate.
'Great! The day's just started and she's already driving me nuts!'
Sam and Teal'c followed Daniel up the ramp, neither one looking forward to the trip if this latest argument was any indication as to what kind of mission it was going to be.
O O O O O O
Upon exiting the gate on the other side, it became apparent that this planet was indeed pretty to look at. The clearing they were in was bordered by large oak trees and there were flowers blooming everywhere. A waterfall cascaded down the mountain behind the gate, anointing the air with a cool mist. Birds were singing everywhere. A pair of peacocks were grandly making their way toward the river at the bottom of the falls.
"Wow, this place is beautiful!" Cameron relaxed and lowered his P-90 and turned toward Sam. "Go ahead and get some soil samples, Sam. Teal'c, keep an eye on things. Daniel and I will head over to the stone marker and see if he can make out what it says. Vala ... just behave." She glared at him and sat down at the end of the ramp.
The moss covered marker was by the road on the other side of the clearing. Daniel sneezed and then stood back and looked at the stone. "Well, it's definitely early English. The top is in better condition than the bottom. From what I can see, it says, 'Welcome to all who venture here.' I can't make out the rest." He walked around to the other side and scraped some of the moss off and said, "Some of these words are 'enchanted,' and 'magic.' Another one says, 'sorcery.'"
"Well, I guess the only way to find out about this place is to head for the castle." Cam radioed Teal'c, Vala and Sam and told them to meet up with them. The five headed down the road that ran along the edge of the field, near the forest.
"Teal'c, it might be a good idea to keep your tattoo covered. Remember what happened with the Corai?
"Indeed, Colonel Mitchell." Teal'c then pulled out a well-worn Boonie and placed it on his head.
Sam was waving one of her doohickeys around and scanning the area for energy readings. "Cameron, I can't find anything on the scanner that indicates that there's a power source anywhere."
"That makes sense, Sam," Daniel said after he sneezed again. Vala pulled the clean hankie out of the back pocket on his pants and handed it to him. "Thanks. They didn't have anything like that in the Middle Ages. But, just to be safe, try again when we get to the castle. You never know what you might find." He sneezed again and thought, 'Great! My allergies would have to act up. It's all these flowers!"
One hour and a couple of antihistamines later, they came over a hill and saw a village spread out before them, surrounded by lush, green fields and fruit orchards. There were shepherds with flocks of sheep and a paddock with horses grazing. Thatched roof tops were visible behind a wall made of stone and uniformed guards were posted at a gate. They continued down the road and as they neared the village, the guards stepped forward and pointed their pikes at the team. They yelled something and the team stopped, all looking at Daniel. "Okay, I'm a little rusty at this but I think they want to know who we are and why we're here."
"Well, duh!" Vala smirked at Daniel. He glared at her and continued.
Daniel spoke to them in their language and told them, "We're peaceful explorers from far away. We came here to exchange friendship and knowledge."
The two guards spoke to each other and then one of them stepped inside the gate to forward a message to someone inside. When he returned, he said something to Daniel and then turned back to guard the gate.
"He said to wait here. They've sent someone to notify the sheriff that we're here."
They waited quietly and after a few minutes, the gate opened and a group of men came out to speak with the newcomers.
Daniel spoke with them and then turned and said, "We've been invited in. I don't think we're in any danger but just to be on the safe side, stick close to me. Keep your weapons pointed toward the ground. I don't know if they realize that these are weapons, but we don't want to scare them, either way. We're going to be led to the town hall."
They entered the village and as they did, a large crowd gathered around them, curious to see who the strangers were. Some reached out to touch their clothing and more than a few of them realized that Sam and Vala were women dressed as the men were. This caused a bit of laughter but nothing more.
Inside the town hall, the team was asked to sit at a large, wooden table in the center of the room. They looked around at the rich tapestries and portraits hanging on the walls. "Somebody here has money," Cam said.
The townspeople gathered around and stood quietly, listening to the sheriff.
"Daniel, what is he saying?" Cam asked quietly.
"He's telling them that we're not here to harm anyone; that we're travelers from afar. He's asking them to treat us kindly and wants to know if there are volunteers who will put us up for the night."
A few people raised their hands and the sheriff chose two women who curtsied and left quietly. Then the sheriff turned toward some others and said something and soon food and drinks were brought in and set before SG-1. The sheriff sat with them as they relaxed around the table as Daniel translated for the others while they all ate.
"He says that we can stay as long as we like... His name is Miller. I didn't catch his first name. He said that we're welcome to look around but that we shouldn't go into the forest. That it's dangerous."
"Does he say why?" Sam asked as she helped herself to some home made bread.
"He says it's an enchanted forest. That evil lurks there and we could be hurt."
"Okay," Cam said. "We'll stay out of the forest. Touring the village should take a while, anyway."
"Indeed," replied Teal'c. "It would be wise to heed their warning."
They finished their meal and were escorted to the village square. Daniel looked around at the quaint setting and sighed, "I don't think we're going to find any modern technology here. This place looks too antiquated."
They spent a few hours touring the village and taking in the sights.
The two women who had earlier volunteered to house them for the night, came forward and indicated for them to follow.
"The blond is named Greta. The brunette is Lisel."
Before Teal'c, Sam and Cameron went with Greta, Daniel took Cameron aside and spoke for a few minutes. "You'll be fine. If you have any problems communicating, send for me. Look, I'm not sure about the sleeping arrangements here but I don't think we want to leave the women alone. You stay with Sam. Pretend you're her husband. That should keep the men away."
Cameron gave Daniel a scandalous look. "You want me to sleep with Sam? Isn't that against regs?"
"You can sleep on the floor, okay?" Daniel huffed and turned back towards Vala.
Daniel watched as the other three entered a home across the road from the house he and Vala were staying in. "I'm sure they'll be fine," he whispered to Vala. "I think you and Sam could have roomed together but I feel better having it this way. We don't know what the customs are in this town towards strangers. I don't want to find out later that we accidentally married you two off to some local merchants."
"Why, Daniel! I believe you care?" Her sarcasm was apparent enough that Lisel turned and looked at Vala.
"What?" Vala asked.
"Be quiet, Vala," Daniel said quietly. "You don't want to make her think we don't like her, or something."
"What's not to like? We're both charming, beautiful people. Don't worry, Darling. I'll behave." She slipped her arm around Daniel's and smiled at the woman.
The house they entered was plain but warm and comfortable. A hearth stood along the wall to the right, a large table in the middle and chairs along the wall on the left. A kitchen area at the back had another table and there were cooking utensils hanging on the wall. Stairs led to what was probably bedrooms and a door to the back led to a privy. Lisel led the way upstairs to a room and showed them in. It wasn't very large but big enough to hold a bed for two, a table with a pitcher and bowl, and some chairs in 2 corners. A colorfully braided rug graced the room from wall to wall. Daniel thanked Lisel and then the door closed behind her as she left.
"She thinks we're married." Daniel whispered as Vala smiled and gave him a very suggestive look.
"I'll take the floor, Vala. Don't get your hopes up."
"Right!" Vala grinned at Daniel as she sat her pack by the window and sat on the edge of the bed. Dropping his kit next to Vala's, he sank into the chair in the corner and looked around.
"This isn't too bad. I've slept in worse places, believe me."
"So have I," Vala said. "It kinda reminds me of Ver Eger. You haven't seen an altar anywhere, have you?"
"No," Daniel said as he leaned toward the window and looked out. "I haven't seen any Priors, either. Maybe they haven't been here?"
"Well, I don't know about you, Sweetheart, but I'm ready for bed. It's been a long day and I'm beat!"
Daniel said, "There's water in the pitcher for you to wash with over here on the table. I'll go downstairs to give you some privacy. I'll be back up in a few minutes, okay?"
Vala just gave him a smile as he left the room.
Daniel made his way down and and spoke to Lisel. She was sitting at the table, mending some clothing, so he sat across from her. "Thank you for taking us in. I hope we're not a problem."
She said that she was glad to offer her hospitality to him and his wife. They chatted for a few minutes and then he smiled and then went upstairs. 'If only she knew. Wife? Not a chance!' He went back to the bedroom and knocked on the door. Vala said she was decent, and he hoped she was. You never knew if she was telling the truth. But, when he went in, she was in bed with the covers tucked up around her chin.
"I left you a pillow and some blankets that I found in the chest by the window."
Daniel was surprised. He had expected a fight and couldn't believe that things were going so smoothly.
After making up a bed by the window, he poured some fresh water in the bowl and proceeded to take off his shirt and wash up. Vala watched from her bed and could see that he was probably just as tired as she was.
"You can climb in here with me, if you want to. I promise to behave."
He dried his face with the towel and said, "No, thanks."
"Daniel, listen. That floor has to be really hard. You look exhausted. I'll stay on my side and leave you alone. I promise."
He hung the damp towel on the window sill and turned to look at her. If she wasn't so annoying, he'd be tempted. "Nope. I'll be fine. I've slept on the floor plenty of times. Most of the time I've slept on the ground when I've gone off-world. This is nothing."
He blew out the candle and sat on the chair and took his boots and socks off. Then he took off his pants and hung them on the hook on the wall. He slipped under the blankets on the floor and made himself comfortable.
"Good night, Daniel."
"Good night, Vala. Sleep well." Within minutes, he was snoring quietly.
Vala laid there in the dark for a while and then drifted off, dreaming about a blue eyed man in shining armor, on a white horse."