Samhain
By Eilidh and DennyJ
PT9-166 had its roots buried deep in the mythology of old Ireland. Walking through the broad streets of its capital, Daniel Jackson breathed in the architectural history of the place; a mix of classical and neo-classical designs that left him feeling like he was strolling through Derry when in fact he was thousands of light years away.
"Amazing."
"Daniel?" Jack pulled up by his side in a few easy steps, his weapon resting lazily across his arms; a sure sign the leader of SG-1 wasn't expecting any trouble.
"Oh… nothing, Jack. The masonry work here is simply stunning; you'd hardly believe we weren't on Earth."
Jack shrugged, pulled a non-plus kind of grimace, and tugging down on the brim of his cap, strode ahead to catch up with Teal'c. Daniel smiled at the reaction. Predictably, Jack was more interested in the strategic value of a location rather than its historical relevance, and Daniel could already see the first traces of boredom starting to surface in his friend.
The populous of Tearmunn – the word meaning Sanctuary in old Gaelic – where out en masse. Children ran circles around each other dragging black ribbons in their wake, their voices filling the air with childish delight. Ribbons adorned the trees that lined the roads and lanterns peppered the branches in readiness for Samhain.
Bobbing a lantern in her hand, twisting it back and forth to take in its decorative beauty, Sam Carter drew it close to her face and grimaced at the twisted smile painted on its surface. "This reminds me of Halloween back home."
"Because it is," Daniel replied. "Samhain is the Gaelic name for the Halloween festival. It represents the end of the lighter part of the year and entry into the dark."
"Like marking the end of summer?"
"Exactly. Summer also marked the end of the harvest and the festival was a way of giving thanks for a bountiful crop. Although," Daniel tapped the face of the lantern lightly as it bobbed from Sam's hand and bounced merrily on its branch, "it was also known to have its roots in the festival for the dead."
"Should we be worried?"
"No," Daniel laughed lightly. "There was only a passing connection to the afterlife and the meaning has been lost in history. I'd be surprised if anything of the true traditions of Halloween and its various festive forms has survived, even here, light years from home."
"Be careful, Daniel," Sam warned teasingly. "Customs have a way of biting us back when we haven't exercised caution."
Leaving the rows of lanterns to blow about in the light breeze, the team pressed further towards the town center. A market place loomed before them. Vendors dressed in the simple peasant's garb of old Ireland filled their tables with food stuffs and decorative ornaments, all themed in the tradition of Halloween. Gothic symbolism was the preferred flavor, and many of the vendors had miniature skeletons dangling from twine strung high between trees. Small ornamental heads, their gemstone eyes staring hauntingly out into the ether, drew the attention of passers-by like moths to a flame, and Daniel puzzled over the flocks of buyers all eager to spend their money.
"Something wrong?" Sam placed a hand lightly on his shoulder, grounding him back to the present. "You look worried."
"Huh? Oh, no, just wondering about the eyes."
"Eyes?" Sam followed Daniel's line of sight to the display of heads. "What about them?"
"Traditionally, the eyes are left hollow to reflect the candle light, adding to the overall effect."
"The one thing that scared me most," Sam shuddered.
"It's not a tradition practiced much outside of North America. Seems a bit odd to see it here really."
"And that's significant somehow?"
"Maybe, possibly… or it could just be another variation of a tradition that has been displaced from Earth."
"Everything changes."
Daniel patted the top of her hand and smiled. "How very pragmatic of you."
"Hardly," Sam shrugged off the comment and moved on to the next stall. "I am hungry, though."
Pies, pies, and yet more pies. If there was one thing about the good people of Tearmunn that the original recon team had discovered, it was that the ladies of the town were all exceptional cooks. Wafting out from behind several enclosed tents was the aromatic smell of pumpkin mixed with the soft cloy of spices.
"And exactly how are you going to pay for any of this?" Daniel asked as they drew up to the tent, one flap flung open wide, the vendor, a cheery round lady, her white peasant dress neatly covered with the speckled orange and yellow stains of some local fruit, urging them forwards.
"Ah." Sam dug into the pocket of her vest and drew out several chocolate bars. "Major Leonard discovered the one thing that seems to be a universal constant – a love of chocolate. There's no local equivalent here and his team had to dial back for more. Seems it made for some very profitable purchases."
"And here was me thinking you'd say coffee."
"You always pick coffee, Daniel."
"Predictable?"
"Somewhat."
~oOo~
A bell began to toll, and SG-1 watched as the merchants scurried to close up their shops, their customers quickly completing their purchases and hurrying off.
"What's going on?" Jack asked.
"I'm not sure," Daniel replied. Stopping one of the shopkeepers, he inquired, "Why is everyone closing?"
"It is the Eve of Samhain," the man replied, rushing off without further explanation.
"Well, that was helpful," Jack remarked.
"Do you know what it means, Daniel?" Sam asked.
"All Hallow's Eve, I guess."
"Oh, well, that explains everything," Jack remarked sarcastically.
Daniel watched the people quickly and efficiently put things away and close their shops. "They seem . . . scared."
"For what reason?" Teal'c inquired looking up and down the street that was quickly emptying.
"I'm not sure. I thought maybe there was some special celebration about to take place, but these people don't look like they're going anywhere but home. They look like they're afraid of something."
"Whatever it is, these people are taking it seriously," Jack remarked. "Let's go find this Pallaton we're supposed to contact. Maybe he can tell us what's going on."
Leaving the closed shops, SG-1 continued through the village, passing only a handful of people who were hurrying to enter their homes. Arriving at the town square, they saw several men watching another ring a large bell.
As they approached, an older man with gray hair and a friendly, round face, greeted them. "Welcome! I am Pallaton, First Councilman. You must be Colonel O'Neill; we've been expecting you and your team."
"That's me. This is Major Carter, Daniel, and Teal'c."
"I am pleased to meet you."
"I couldn't help noticing that everyone's in a big hurry to get inside. Wanna tell us what's going on? A big Simpsons marathon I don't know about?
"It is the Eve of Samhain. No one will take the chance of being caught outside, even though we are safe within the boundaries of Tearmunn." Pallaton glanced nervously around the square before turning back to Jack. "Let us also take our conversation indoors."
"Uh, excuse me, but, safe from what?" Daniel's curiosity was piqued.
"From the Aos Si'. Do they not inhabit your world, also?"
"Daniel, have you heard of them?" Sam's curiosity was obviously piqued, too.
"Um, yeah. They're spirits. In Gaelic folklore, they inhabited the Otherworld in places like hills or trees. They were often described as beautiful, but sometimes they were described as hideous. People avoided offending them if at all possible. Samhain was one of the times when they could cross over with the living world. I think that's what those heads with the jeweled eyes represented."
"Yes, yes, you do know them. Now, please let us continue inside." With a wave of his arm, the village leader invited them towards one of the buildings on the square.
The bell was silent now and the streets all but deserted. Reaching the entrance to the building, they were brought up short by a young couple running towards them.
"Help us, please!"
"What has happened?" Pallaton asked.
The man replied, "Our boys, Haben and Maddock, are gone. They were worried about Uba, our dog, and went looking for him."
"We told them to stay inside, but they slipped out. We haven't been able to find them," the mother added, her voice choking with emotion.
"We do not have much time," Pallaton stated, "but we will use what little we do have to help you find them."
"We'll help, too," Daniel offered.
"Daniel?"
"Jack?"
"Do you mind if I make the decisions? You know, me being the team leader and all."
"You mean we're not going to help?"
"I didn't say that."
"Then what difference does it make who offers to help?"
Jack narrowed his eyes and started to respond, only to be interrupted by the father.
"Please, we must hurry!"
"All right, we'll help."
"Oh, thank you." The young woman wiped a tear from her eye as her husband put an arm around her.
"Okay, Carter and Teal'c, take that side of the—"
"Sir, couldn't we cover more ground in less time if we split up?"
Jack hesitated, then nodded his head. "Fine. Carter, you head back in the direction of the gate. Teal'c, take the opposite direction. Daniel, that way," he said pointing. "I'll go this way."
"Bevan, Caitir, why don't you go home in case the boys return. Radley, Laird, and I will search also," Pallaton offered.
The young couple nodded their agreement, then turned and hurried off.
Pallaton turned back to Jack. "Colonel, all of you must be back within the hour. For your own safety, do not leave the village."
"Sure thing." Jack turned back to his team. "Let's move out. Check in if you find them and meet back here in one hour, regardless."
"Yes, sir."
"Understood, O'Neill."
"Sure, Jack."
As the four members of SG-1 headed off in four different directions, Jack tried to shake off the feeling that this was going to be a long night.
~oOo~