This first part of the story focuses strictly on the main character 500,000 years before SGA. It will eventually be Todd/Nigale (OC). There are some pre-time skip love interests but that's part of the plot. There is a lot of information in this, a new form of traditions and history that some might be seen as elven or vampire like. I really plan on developing this character and suggestions are welcome.

Disclaimer: I don't own SGA or characters in it. This is just for fun, though I would propose that Chris Heyerdahl be permanently turned into a wraith for all fan girls to ogle and stare at. The petition is pending ^_~.

Just bear with me and feel free to comment ^^. Don't worry though, there will be plenty of hotty toddy-ness soon ^_~.

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"It is said that creatures of great beauty and grace hold the night and give fear and purpose to men that wish for honor in their hearts. We are wraith. Humans feed on the world and wraith feed on the humans. The wraith then show honor to the worlds that completes the cycle of life.

This balance cannot be broken for it would shatter the existence of natural order. The universe, in its insanity, needs to be like the ocean that rolls in both calm and ferocity from one moment to the next and all must adapt to its presence."

I looked up from my book to the 3rd moon of Graca that played its bright green glow on my people. I didn't need to look above my window sill to know he was up there watching the surroundings. Oh how I wished to see something different with him by my side. He was so strong and unwavering in his duties. I wouldn't dare speak it to the council or the elders but I longed to visit the other worlds. To travel through the blue gate to see more than what I have been studying in my books.

I remember I once overheard other females mention it and were quickly punished when overheard by the head chamber lady. She was a vicious voicmonger.

Voice from above: "Where is your heart nightingale?"

Nightingale: "It is not my heart but my mind that wanders. My heart belongs near you."

I heard him grunt approval.

It might have been the serenity of it all but for a few moments I forgot all of my fears and years of purpose and asked," Ves-ka, couldn't I go with you just once?"

I large overpowering figure snapped down like a tree on my window ledge and glared at me.

Ves-ka: "Never say that again. I want you to stop thinking that it is safe out there."

Nightingale less serene: "You would protect me."

Ves-ka: "Yes I would, by dragging you back by your hair to the sanctuary, if necessary."

I frowned, realizing I had gone somewhere I shouldn't have. Might as well make a good argument out of it.

Nightingale : "How am I to know of the world through just books? The council knows I am inexperienced and could never grasp the reality of where I send our people when I become queen if I am to be locked away and protected like a frail human."

Ves-ka moved so close to my eyes with such imposing superiority I gathered all my wits not to look down… though I had to glance…a few times.

Ves-ka: "You are a highborn female that was born to become a queen. You have greater purpose that cannot be compromised. If you were to be harmed… or worse, the wraith would feel the braking of our hearts and feel pain for many years. I will not allow such weakness to poison our people because of your misplaced curiosity."

He was right of course. I was born to be loved and worshipped by the wraith as their true queen as queens for the last 10,700 years have done before me.

It still didn't stop my heart from longing though. Just once I want to see the mountain and ocean with my own footsteps making prints in its never-ending existence.

Ves-ka: "You are still 120 and will have time to dream of these things but again you WILL NOT fantasies these thoughts openly again. Am I clear?"

I nodded.

I turned away and walked back to my bookshelf and put up my newest present. The world was so big and yet I will never know its sweet scent or beautiful colors.

Longing filled my heart and I dreamed of ways to escape for one day… just one.

I slipped under the covers of Furga furs and soft stain resistant Vesta moss covers and pillows and fell into my dreams. Dreams of exploring the world of Graca like the ancient queens did. Constant amazement that only hazed unconscious thought could show me.

Before morning dawned in the sanctuary, I woke up with a familiar fluttering and buzzing noise and saw my dear Getta bug demanding my attention.

I allowed him a giggle and caressed the top of his hard shell and twirled around his grasping tail.

(Iradius bug if you couldn't tell.)

He let out a purring contentment sound and I moved my furs aside to get ready for the day.

I let yesterday's ventures slide over me.

I had received a few gifts from my brother and close companions back at the capital. It had been 70 years to the day I began my isolation to focus on proper manners and grand teachings from the elders.

I still didn't finish my new favor token pattern the yellow elder told me to try.

Though I did complete a new battle form and read the books on the 3rd great queen's ventures and reflected wisdom from her lord.

Then of course to the conversation I had with Ves-ka and how idiotic I felt for mentioning it. He was going to be mad at me for awhile.

I sighed and noted that the sun wasn't up yet. That was how I preferred it. I gazed into the mist that took over the sanctuary at night and looked out over the trees to the silver and purple mountains.

I wanted a bath…I wanted to surrender to its silken warm texture. I loved water. It could be so soothing yet so destructive and unyielding, much like my wraiths.

I put on my robe over my night dress and gathered one of my new bath gifts. It was a scented bath mixture that was specially made with my Grevsa flowers. It was Ves-ka's gift.

Gesturing my hand out I gathered my pet up my arm and he huddled around it contented. He was an old bug and knew me well enough to never bite, a welcome and trusting companion.

Once at my open bath I watch briefly at the flow of water from the mountain and thought the flow was rather slow this morning. This meant that it was likely to rain soon. I climbed the rocks and poured the mixture at the top waterfall and watched the concentrated scent dissipate into the flowing pockets of water. As I settled into one of the pocketed ledges that had only a small trickle of water, I watched my Getta dive in and huddle under water to a warm rock. As I settled, in I remembered what I knew of him.

Getta bugs were considered to be greatly respected icons of the past and guardians of the future. They were at all 7 temples of a queen's rites of passage and gave us the silk webbing for most of our sacred items. I still need to make that new token favor pattern. I sighed but kicked myself mentally that it was for the best to learn all I could. The more complex the pattern, the more favored a female was considered to receive it from.

Favor tokens were a reward and something males looked for to gain a female's attention. It was usually gained by wearing her colors in a culling or tournament battle. Though it is used as a gesture of permitted courting, a male can exchange it for things like political support, general crafts, or to show off that he has favors. Once a female gives a token out, the male may use it to ask anything as long as it doesn't dishonor her or her people she is bound by law to honor it, even a queen.

I saw that my bug had decided he wanted a warmer place and had climbed up onto my breast to curl close to my neck. I remember how hard it was to earn my first Getta's respect in that he wouldn't bite my hand, let alone my throat. A female wraith had to clear her mind and show her worth and desire to befriend but not dominate a Getta in order to gain favor with it. Not an easy task. Though it provided training to telepathic abilities and clear minded mediation.

It always came out for the best. One large or small circle but the connections always came back to wraith respect and honor. That was how it should be.

The blue-white sun came peaked from the other side and through the waterfall opening and I knew it was time to get going. If there was one thing I looked forward to every day it was watching Ves-ka practice his fighting techniques. I thought it was graceful, more so than any dance I have seen. I decided I would wear blue and gold today. It was a good outfit, not my favorite but today felt like a day to wear it. I mused at my logic but put on the layers and brushed my vibrant platinum/gold hair to silk status and added a small glimpse of makeup around my bright gold eyes. My skin was a solid white and my face was soft featured like my Mosa (mother). Ves-ka and my Sire (father) always said I was beautiful but beauty was irrelevant and I only dressed this way because it is the wraith way. We are creatures of beauty and grace and to be anything else was not.

I had to get moving and stilled my musings to wal… dash to the sanctuary's stone garden where Ves-ka practiced his blades. OH! I ran back to my room and almost ran into Getta, who was checking one of his webs around the chamber for bugs, in my haste. I had forgotten the Noldi blade! This was part of a sacred tradition that a highborn female was never to forget. I grabbed it and looped it into my sash on my dress.

It was actually part of the highborn mating tradition but I mentally kicked myself to stop musing and not go there.

I started running only to come face to one of the elders… he looked at me disapprovingly.

I did a slight bow and slowed to a graceful walk to which he started a lecture…*sigh*

Red Elder: "Time is seen as both slow and fast as by someone with lack of patience and calm. If you are going somewhere, take your time. The world will not end and another day will come just the same."

With this lecture he sent out a telepathic wave of his name and calm. Wraith do not have spoken names unless wanted for playful and trusted bouts. The name is a mixture of colors and scents that flows around the figure and grows more complex with age and experience. Telepathic connections are always sent with this distinction but the more intense the message the more clear the name. Every wraith is unique with this and is easily distinguished. The calmer the color and softer the scent the more feminine it was. Likewise, the bolder the color and musky the scent the more masculine it was.

I finally reached the garden and noted to my disappointment that my Vas-ka was already half way through. I made a mental scarring to myself that I need to be more vigilant. But I found a wood carved bench and watched him behind a Zoxen tree. He had to know I was there but I felt more at peace to watch him from here.

I didn't feel like I was being protected but just watching to watch. He flipped his blade with superb accuracy. I recalled him telling me that it was to be considered an extension of the body and not a separate being. He is a perfect male specimen to watch. It wasn't just my personal liking. Among wraith, looks are also looked at as far as status. He is sleekly muscled. His long white hair reached down to his mid-thigh but his bangs are to his shoulder. No ties or braiding, just elegant. He had all his armor on and that meant he would be leaving soon. I tried not to think too much on it as I watched as his black leathering with red and silver trimmings under and sashes around it moved around him like his aura, precise and deadly. I remember my brother once commenting that he thought getting too close to Vas-ka's aura alone would be enough to kill. Phantoms or auras from our minds are used as part of our body in battle and society in various ways.

As he finished and kneeled to a meditation pose I felt his aura of silver wisp around me and flow back through my hair to come toward him. I knew there wasn't any wind around and couldn't be fooled even if there was. A wraith's presence was always distinct to the environment.

I walked to his side and fluttered my dress to sit properly at his side. This was our reflection time. Reflection was necessary as was foretold with the story of "the queen who cried blood tears". She was the revered queen of the first temple on a queen's journey.

Vas-ka: "You weren't here as usual."

I felt a slight blush. I knew he knew I came to see him daily and that I looked forward to it, but to hear it out loud for the first time was unnerving.

Nightingale: "I was enjoying the gift you gave me and lost track of the day." Not the complete truth but not a lie either. Vas-ka was trusted by me but he was also very strict in his duty and belief that I was to be more then what I am. I admired that in him and looked forward to the encouragement.

Vas-ka raising a eye ridge: "I'm pleased you enjoyed it but it wasn't meant to keep you from me."

I felt the blush again. He was always intoxicating when he was around.

Vas-ka: "I must leave soon."

I looked at him with a stone face. I hated it when he left but he always frowned when I showed my displeasure. Wraith showed strength. Granted I noticed the other females were doted on and allowed more leeway but because of my calling I was not to be given any.

Vas-ka smiled: "You grow stronger by the day now. You will make the great queens proud."

I felt my Getta scratch at my leg with one of his long legs and then climb up onto my lap.

Nightingale: "Where are you to go this time?"

Vas-ka: " To Zefla, its Yeva's are at a good population and the pelts would be greatly desired. "

Nightingale: "Why couldn't the other warriors get it? Why does the elite guard go?"

Vas-ka: "Yeva's may have soft durable fur but they are fierce opponents. Naturally the meat will go to our riding Teleri and other useful creatures and the blood to the Getta for their blessings. To do this is a great honor to wraith. I plan to bring you some of the pelt for you to make crafts with."

He seemed to think this would cheer me up and I offered a soft smile and brief wave of my moss green colored and flowered scent mixed with gratitude. I truly appreciated him.

A Vas-ka title was not given lightly. It is a title given to a highborn female's guardian protector. In my case Vas-ka was the term used till one day I became queen then the male of my choosing would become my lord. The purpose of a Vas-ka or Lord was to devotion of the queen in more ways than one. He was her protector and advisor, her mate and her companion. Possible chosen successors are chosen every 50 years or so and Vas-kas are key to ensuring survival. There are challenges that could be taken and it is the duty of the Vas-ka and the chosen to honor it. It is essential that they become dependent and respect each other. When they are mated there are strong telepathic connections that make the bond stronger or weaker. The connection between a queen and a lord is explained but unlike anything my books could retell. Nor should they be able to. I stopped my musings….again not wanting my face to blacken with a blush before him.

Vas-ka: "I would like your permission to wear your colors on this venture."

I knew there was a slight tinge to my face now, but I waited a moment. To let a male wear a female's colors was something to debate about, at the very least to look like she is debating about. I felt back to my neck and unhinged my hook that held the covering around my neck up. I reached back there and grabbed my emblem. It was a silky moss colored of course as that was my birth color and will forever be the dominate color in my name. It had embroidered markings of gold like my eyes along the edges and at the end it held 4 small stones with carvings on each. He took it and felt it in his hand. He rubbed it between his fingers and held it to his nose in a regal appreciation. He had held my colors twice already and earned two token-favors. He still held onto them.

The act of wearing a female's colors was very serious in the act of courting. If he was successful then he was given a handcrafted token-favor, but if he failed… The female must spend a month among elders and stitch and carve a new emblem. During which time she must discuss and debate with the elder of her poor choice. This made sure that she would choose a strong mate and continue a strong line of wraith.

I watched him looking at it still.

Vas-ka: "I understand that the elders have been teaching you some of the braiding techniques."

I knew where this was going and couldn't stop my heart from skipping…this of course caused my Getta to hiss and leave. They could feel blood and if it wasn't calm or if it reached a certain level of activity it wasn't something they felt pleasant to cuddle. He was used to me by now though. He would return.

I nodded numbly at him. He wanted me to braid my color into his hair. It could be worn around their neck or wrist just as long as it was seen. To be allowed to braid a male's hair was considered as intimate as a kiss. I felt silly as the thought crossed my mind. Subordinate females and even some high-borns my age were already mating let alone courting. Being of my status though, I was to be untouched till I turned 250. At that age I was allowed to take part in the queen's trials with my chosen guarding me through it and thereafter I could become mated… after about 3 more rituals…*sigh*... so complicated. I knew from my studies that they had their reasons to be. To be chosen by the queen as a possible successor was a great honor, and I remember the day she chose me. I was only 35 and already a chosen.

He was now looking at me with a mix of amusement and annoyance.

Vas-ka: "Your mind is far away again. I wonder where."

I glared at him. I knew he was smart enough to guess and was only poking fun at me.

Nightingale: "Wouldn't you like to know."

Vas-ka: "I would but I don't think it would be an appropriate conversation so out in the open."

He flashed his sharp toothed charming smile.

I let out a small hiss and turned my head to hide my embarrassment. I was annoyed at my own lack of control around courting situations. It wasn't surprising though. I only come in contact with non-elder males every 10 years but they tend to be ones I consider my brothers. I had a few youngling-loves before my isolation when I turned 50 but they were just young heart flutters and nothing serious.

Vas-ka:"You're still leaving me, I'm envious of whatever holds your attentions."

Nightingale:"I'm just dreaming of the day I will return from this isolation."

Vas-ka:"It is meant as a foundation for your queenship. It is necessary. Do not think of it as isolation, you have the elders and me to keep you company."

Nightingale: "You leave for 2 months and stay for only 14 days at a time. The elders are for lecturing, not pleasant conversation. This place holds nothing but serene boredom."

Vas-ka smiled, "But you are safe and you are loved. You will get your chance at life but for now you should relish in the calm serene of the sanctuary."

I stood stiff, wanting to retaliate more but simply lowered my head in acknowledgement, reminding myself of the blood queen's failure. She had dismissed her Vas-ka's advice and ended up in so much sorrow she cried blood. I must put aside my desire and listen to his wisdom.

This conversation seemed to have brought back his calming patience and he forgot his trail of thought on braiding. Sometimes I want to flick his nose; I hated how patient he was at times. I inwardly sighed and remembered that he was far older and wiser than I. He is being patient and making sure I would make a good decision when my rites came.

Vas-ka: "I must start my journey, and you must start you daily training, little nigale."

I smiled at the playful name. I watched him stand and walked slowly behind him. When a female reaches the age of 20 she must show that she is a worthy of her queen. She must amuse her queen somehow and mine was a bit crafty. All wraith females are taught basic feminine teachings such as crafts, dance, music, and conversation. Then they are allowed to venture out and make distinctive traits. Mine was singing. Not too flamboyant but I learned it by sneaking out of the castle into the woods and listening to the echoes of the caves. Various animal sounds echoed and I learned to mimic them. An old wraith once saw me and felt very amused. He didn't even punish me for being out on my own and said it was nothing but natural curiosity. If I wanted to be out there then I should be out here but he said he would be happy to be my guide. So he taught me of echoing my voice and gliding my song. He was the first to teach me of old tales and myths of the songbird "Nightingale" who would sing worthy warriors to sleep with its voice to ensure a clear mind in the coming battle.

So when my 20th birthday rites came I sang for the queen and told her that I wished to tell her my spoken name. To have a spoken name was considered playful so the queen seemed amused and I told her its origins. She seemed very pleased. As was the court and from then on I was teased as the songbird Nightingale. My brothers even went as far as to scare me into believing that I had to sing on the roof of the castle before a culling or a battle, it was doomed to fail. Naturally I believed them and my sire quickly punished them after he found out. It was brutal being wraith but they still remained every bit faithful to me.

After Vas-ka was labeled my protector he overheard one of my brothers' tease and called me Nigale as a further bout on my play name. It caught on.

As we rounded the stone walls to the entrance hall, I glanced out of habit to the bush in the far corner and noticed the red ribbon that would have been so easy to miss if I hadn't looked. I felt some excitement but quickly quenched it down and focused on getting Vas-ka to the gate.

The four elders were all there and one of Ves-ka's team to greet him.

The Blue Elder was a great warrior of old. He was aggressive but something told me that age had to have dulled him a bit for him to be here. He taught me basic fighting so that I would understand what I would be sending my warriors into, also was the primary protector of the sanctuary.

The Red Elder was the elder that taught knowledge and wisdom of history. Constantly lecturing but probably the most fascinating to listen to when I finally learned to listen.

The Yellow Elder was the elder that taught crafts. This was the only female elder and even though she was probably the most intimidating, she was understanding and was able to show me a different view on life that the other Elders couldn't.

The Purple Elder was…different. He presented a proud wraith presence but was the only one to show me how to have fun. We once played a trick on the blue elder and he was tense for months thinking that something was haunting the sanctuary. Purple Elder said that I needed to enjoy myself or life wouldn't be worth it. Hold honor in your heart and an old rotten egg in your enemy's house. Even though he was the one I would tag along with most, he still couldn't understand my desire to leave the sanctuary… or he did and was trying not to show it. In my opinion he was the wisest of them all.

The one member of Ves-ka's team was the captain of the elite guard and a handsome wraith. He was another interesting wraith that liked to tell old war stories. His color and scent was a dark forest green-almost black-hue with a fresh watery scent.

I bowed to the Captain.

Captain: "I promise to bring him back to you, little highborn."

I bowed a little deeper and watched Ves-ka look back at me. He and the captain mounted their Teleri and head out into the deep woods.

The Sanctuary itself was very deep into the mountain valley, covered with forest. It was a magnificent structure that blended into the environment. Stone walls and misted caves was the general make-up of the building but over the centuries, each Elder and chosen queen-in-waiting added to its beauty. I still hadn't thought of what my contribution would be. But that could wait for later.

The Elders had bowed to the Captain and Ves-ka as they left and all but the purple elder went inside.

Purple Elder smirking: "I found some new recipe for exploding drops, would you like to help me make sure *Blue Elder* stays on his toes?"

Nigale hissed in amusement: "That sounds fun, but I have some crafts and reading from yesterday that I haven't finished."

Purple Elder bowed in understanding.

Purple Elder turning to go inside:" You are taking your responsibilities well, I am proud of you, though I extend the offer for another time then."

As soon as he is gone, I walk back to the bush, so as not to attract attention. When I get there I breath deep and twirl around in false bliss to see if anyone is watching and grab the red ribbon and dash behind another bush. I grip into the broken bits of wall and climb over it.

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Well, that's the first chapter, I have already written a lot but I'm up for suggestions. Please review and tell me what you think ^_^.