Title: Roots
Rating: G, or whatever that is these days.
Disclaimer: Don't own them; wish I did.
Summary: Teyla never asks for support, but it's there anyway.
Note: I'm finally getting started on my letterlove challenge for John/Teyla. This one is G for Grief.
oooOOOooo
"You don't have to be strong all the time," he said, and for a moment she hated him for intruding on her privacy. She had come out here to be alone with her grief, away from watching eyes.
Instead of answering, she thought of her father's instruction, even as a child, that a leader's strength was the heart of his people.
Her people.
"It is as this tree, Teyla," he said once, pointing out the oldest, largest tree near their home. "Its branches, its leaves ... all depend on the strength of the trunk."
Her people needed her support now.
The Athosians were steeled against loss at the hands of the Wraith. Each one had been touched by their evil. Those losses, though felt deeply, were almost expected. But this, a child's accidental death, was almost more than she could bear.
How, she wondered, was she to support Eli's parents when all she wanted to do was hide in the forest and cry?
"Teyla, you don't have to be strong all the time," John repeated. "Not with me."
Telling herself that it was only for a moment, she shifted slightly, leaning into John. She closed her eyes and felt his arm go around her shoulders.
Just for a moment, she repeated silently.
Even the strongest trees need roots.
End