Disclaimer: We own absolutley nothing
A/N Tinuviel Undomiel: A lot of you enjoyed the teaser at the end of Awakening and I think all of you will enjoy this story. Elizabeth is going to get closer to John evenn if she doesn't want to at first. She will feel everything he promised her. Oh here is the lyrics to the Evanesence song "Snow White Queen." I think they fit JOhna nd Elizabeth, especially since he calls her Ice Queen
You belong to me
My snow while queen
There's no where to run, so let's get it over
Soon I know you'll see
You're just like me
Don't scream anymore my love
Cause all I want is you
A/N Nerwen Aldarion: Oh goody, I loved how I ended the last story and am excited to finally start this one. This is very important for Elizabeth as it brings out her real character and for Teyla because she recieves more than one surprise this story some you guys might not be expecting.
The Libra Trilogy Part II: Rebirth
Chapter 1: Another Journey Begins
Alkura was rocky world that few things could grow on except low scrub. Deep canyons and cliffs ranged the entire surface and no one really cared to live there. It was the perfect place for someone to hide.
Sadly, the haven didn't last long and Peltor was again on the run from the Varren, but he had no where to go. They were everywhere. How had the Varren become so numerous? When had the dark side of the Void become so powerful? Peltor was the last of the seers. The rest of his people had been slaughtered because of their continued support against the Varren. The Ranue had accepted their aid because the ability to see the Varren's plans before they happened was extremely helpful, however, the Varren didn't appreciate it.
Now they were all dead. Peltor had accepted the fact that he was alone and took it upon himself to hide the Seer's most sacred possession: the Eye of the Void. His plans to hide it had now caused his power to increase. He'd seen so many things. Visions of the far distant future; visions that gave him hope.
The sound of footsteps against hard gravel made him pause. The Varren were blocking the canyon. He turned to run in the opposite direction but a line of his enemy was waiting for him. He was trapped.
Emperor Rufar stepped out of the battalion and stood before Peltor, "Peltor Brygon, you have been declared an enemy to the Varren, for that you must die."
Peltor slowly removed a crystal from his pouch with out Rufar seeing, "I know that you will kill me."
"However, I would be willing to negotiate if you tell me where you have hidden the Eye of the Void."
"Never, only a Seer will find it."
"You fool!" Rufar declared, "You are the last."
"For now."
"What do you speak of?" the Emperor asked.
"Would you like to hear the future?" Peltor asked, he threw his head back and looked up at the sky, "Your days of tyranny will come to an end. A child will be born, a child of both the Varren and Ranue. The Libra, the balance." He smiled up at the twinkling stars, "The last of my kind does not fall this day. When the Libra comes, I will choose my successor. The last Seer will be one the Libra trusts." His voice became heavy with emotion his words ringing with hope, "Destiny is at hand. Your kind is destined to rise in power. The Varren will build a great empire. But the Libra is destined to destroy you."
Rufar shook his head, "You lie."
"It will come to past," Peltor said with a smile, "The end will come." He threw down the crystal and a great explosion occurred. Dust billowed into the air and Rufar and his men had to cover their eyes from the blast.
Once it was over, Rufar opened his eyes and saw Peltor lying on the ground, dead. A crumbling sound was heard and the Varren backed out of the way. A section of the canyon came away and landed where Rufar had stood. Slowly the stone chipped and cracked until it began to shape itself. The Emperor gasped at what he saw.
It was a statue of Peltor that glared back at him, and at its base were scripted the words: Destiny is set in stone, one day I will choose The Last Seer.
Thousands of Years Later
On the peaceful, grassy world of Trunal, the beauty of the day was interrupted by the stinging song of battle. Animals fled the area and hid themselves in their homes. Even the grass lay still to anticipate the shedding of blood.
There were over a dozen Varren battling one woman: The Libra.
Even though she was alone, Elizabeth Weir somehow managed to hold her own. There were twenty originally. She swung her sword to parry blows, threw a line of fire at the feet of those in front of her to cut herself a path.
She fled out of the tall grass to an area less dense. Here she could hold her ground more and finally end this. However, there were more Varren waiting for her there.
Elizabeth stopped when she saw the wall of men coming towards her on all sides. She was surrounded in a ring of Varren with no hope for escape.
They opened a gap and one man stepped out into the center with her. He held up his red veined sword to her throat, "Surrender."
She refused to accept her defeat orally but she had no choice but to concede. Elizabeth dropped her sword at his feet, "You win this round."
"I take it you won't officially surrender then?"
She raised her chin defiantly, "Never."
"Then you'll forgive me for doing this," a cloth was placed against her mouth and nose, even as she tried to push him away. The fumes from the cloth entered her lungs and the effects began immediately. Her eyes closed on their own and she slipped into a deep sleep.
John Sheppard let her body fall into his arms and he lifted her against his chest, "Return to the ship, I must tell the Emperor that I have the Libra."
The annoying sound of beeping roused Teyla from her sleep. Groggily she groped around the darkness for her com link until she finally found it, "Hello?" She said her voice tired like her.
"Teyla I need you to come to the base immediately," The anxious voice of Samantha Carter greeted her.
Teyla sighed, "Commander Carter I'm on leave remember? You told me that I had to take some time off because I hadn't had a vacation since I left the Academy."
"I know but this is serious, I can't speak about it like this you have to come to my office immediately." She explained, "That's an order."
Sam hung up after that, "Of course it is," Teyla muttered.
"Who was that?" Ronon asked.
She rolled over closer to him, "My commander…I have to leave."
"No you don't," He stated simply as he pulled her up against his side.
Teyla smiled, "Yes I do." She laid quick kisses on his chest as she slid off of the bed and grabbed her clothes from the floor.
"But you said you had time off," He reminded her sitting up a little.
"I did," She told him pulling on her clothes, "But it sounds like something bad happened and their calling me in." Teyla finished dressing and leaned over the bed and kissed him softly, "I really don't want to go," She said and kissed him again.
"Then don't go," Ronon snaked an arm around her back and Teyla found herself tumbling on to the bed to be thoroughly kissed by him.
She laughed and slipped her arms around his neck, "You know I have to." She kissed him quickly, "But I promise to make it worth your while when I come back," Teyla whispered sexily in his ear.
Ronon grinned, "But what about now?" His hand slowly began to undo the buttons on her top.
"I guess I can be a little late."
"What took you so long to get here?" Samantha asked her infuriated.
"I'm sorry but I was on Freidan and I was…busy," Teyla explained not sorry at all.
"It doesn't matter," Sam admitted, "I called you in here for a reason…there has been a problem."
"What is it?"
Sam closed her eyes and sighed, "The Libra has been captured."
"What?!" Teyla exclaimed shocked, "How?"
"Apparently she was on a mission to find the Last Seer and she hasn't sent back any more updates. The Ranue went to her last known location and saw that she must have been surrounded," Sam explained.
Teyla sighed, "But I just brought her here three months ago."
"I know…that's why you're here," She continued, "The Ranue thought that if you found and brought her here the first time that you can do it again."
Teyla was silent for a moment as she thought about it, "Alright I understand but I don't want to use any Administration ships for this," Teyla went on, "I want to use a smuggling ship."
Sam smiled knowingly, "And I'm guess you want to hire Captain Lorne and his crew," She sighed a little, "I'll have to bankrupt the Administration for this mission."
Teyla laughed a little, "But they're the best."
"Then you better go hire them." Teyla began to stand up but Sam stopped her, "There is more, the Ranue want one of their own on this one."
"I don't understand."
"They want to have one of their apprentices join you on this mission."
Teyla groaned, "I already have to spend time with an arrogant Libra now I have to have a stern Ranue with me?"
Sam nodded, "I don't think it will be that bad, Laura Cadman is Jack's apprentice and as you may expect he's taught her a lot." Sam laughed lovingly, "and you know Jack is anything but stern."
Teyla smiled, "Yes well your husband is one of the exceptions…I hope his apprentice is as well" She furrowed her brow, "Why do they want her to come with me anyways?"
"They are hoping that you could find the Last Seer while your at it."
Teyla was shocked, "I'm an operative for the Administration I don't do the Ranue's dirty work."
"I know and I said that but if you have any time would you at least look into it, it would help the administration a lot."
She sighed, "Alright," She got up to leave, "but I'm taking two weeks off when this mission is over."
Teyla found her way to the Ranue Academy outside of the base. It was a beautiful structure with high columns and decorative arches. Many people would stop to admire it, but for Teyla it meant little to her. She felt that the Ranue were too stoic, especially their Libra, only Jack O'Neill was the exception.
She tapped on an older Ranue's shoulder once she entered, "Where may I find Laura Cadman?"
"Either in the sparring room or the archives."
She tried the first option and found two Ranue hard at work with training. One was an older man with silver hair and dark brown eyes, almost black. His apprentice was a lovely woman with strawberry blonde hair. A sparkle was in her blues eyes as she succeeded in blocking her master's blow.
"You're getting soft old man," she cheered.
Two blows and the woman was on the ground, "You're getting cocky, little girl," he replied before giving her a hand up.
"You've got a visitor," she pointed at Teyla.
"Teyla, how's it going?" Jack asked.
"It could be better," she admitted.
"What do you need me for?"
"Nothing, I need your apprentice."
The apprentice smiled, "I thought it was you, Teyla Emaggen right?"
"I assume you are Laura Cadman."
"Yep, that'd be me."
"You have no idea how relived I am to see you have taken after your master," Teyla said.
"Well I can be stern and cold if you want me to," Laura said and then paused, "Please tell me you don't want me to."
"No."
She smiled, "Then we should get along just fine."
Far off in Varren space, a lone ship hung in a curtain of black with diamond stars sprinkled across. It was the Orion one of the most important ships in the Varren fleet.
Standing on the bridge was the commander of the Orion updating their course. A young officer in charge of the brig walked over to his lord timidly. He was a good commander, but Officer Tolin would never get over the power the Varren could wield, especially after spending two years in Falron's staff.
"My lord," he began, "The prisoner s awake."
John turned around the face the officer, "Has she asked for anything?"
"No sir, just following the orders you gave me to tell you when the tranquilizers wore off."
"Thank you, Officer Tolin," he said.
"Would you like me to prepare her for an interrogation?"
"No," John replied, "My master has just sent me an urgent message, I'll see her shortly."
Tolin nodded, "Shall I inform her of your coming arrival?"
John smiled, "No, I think I'll surprise her. Just give her what ever she wants, minus her freedom."
"As you wish sir."
After deciding on a proper destination, John went to his private chambers to his sitting area. There he flicked on his hologram projector and called in his master. Emperor Deymos was not alone. Both Falron Tores and Aiden Ford were with their master.
"Well nice see to everybody," John said.
"There is an urgent matter I have summoned all of you for," Deymos began, "Nichos Drey has betrayed me and has started an army to destroy me and claim the Varren empire for himself."
"I always thought he was trouble," John said.
"I need all of you to remember your oath of loyalty and stop him before he discovers the one thing he can use against me," Deymos informed them with cautious voice, "The Eye of the Void."
"I thought only the Last Seer could find that," Aiden said.
"Yes but the Last Seer has yet to be chosen," John replied.
"It will only be a matter of time," Falron added, "The Libra has already come."
"I need you to search your sector for Nichos," the Emperor ordered John.
John hesitated before saying, "I can't do that, master."
Falron tried to hide his smile while Deymos eyed his first apprentice with displeasure, "Explain yourself."
"I've got something even bigger."
"What could possibly be more important than serving your master?" Falron inquired gleefully.
"I have captured the Libra."
John's arch enemy's eyes turned from joy to malice, "What?!"
Aiden smiled, "Way to go Sheppard!"
"How did you acquire her?" Deymos asked.
"I found her yesterday on Trunal," he explained, "I was going to tell you under better circumstances but I had no choice."
"I understand," the Emperor told him, his tone holding respect for him, "Continue with your plans, my first apprentice, Falron and Aiden will search for Nichos."
"I'll keep an eye out for him anyway."
"That will be helpful, good luck," Deymos said before signing off.
John left his quarters and followed the corridors until he reached the prison level. He didn't enter The Libra's cell immediately, instead he detoured to the security room and excused the guard on duty. He took a seat in front of the view screen and observed his prisoner.
She was sitting in the middle of the small bed, her long legs crossed in front of her with her hands resting on her knees. Thos mesmerizing green eyes were closed, a look of serenity on her beautiful face. She was so calm and still she could have been a statue.
He almost felt like laughing. She'd been asleep for over ten hours but the minute she woke up she'd begun meditation. Obviously to clear her mind so she could find away to escape since she didn't need any more rest.
She probably knew he was watching her. Their bond didn't hide much from them. That link had sure surprised him when it first formed. At the time he wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing; it was a bit unsettling, sensing her all the time. Sometimes her presence was as faint as a shadow, right now it was almost like he was standing in the room with her.
From the moment he saw her, Elizabeth Weir was a mystery to him. When their bond formed, he centered his thoughts on solving who she was. He was sure he had her figured out now.
Elizabeth had been trained to carry no emotions. She was alive but she felt nothing, he could see it in her eyes. In so many ways she was like a child. She wasn't mature at all, but she hadn't really lived yet. There was a sense that she knew nothing about the world, she was a woman but she didn't know how to be one.
That was what he was going to do, win her trust by teaching her how to live, and today her lessons were going to begin.
"Don't you ever get bored doing that?"
Elizabeth crinkled her brow at the question but her eyes remained closed, "What do you mean?"
"You know, just sitting there clearing your mind," John explained, "I've lost count how many times I've fallen asleep trying to meditate."
"Maybe you don't try hard enough," she suggested.
John smiled and pushed away from the doorway he's been leaning against, "True, but meditation isn't a requirement in the daily life of Varren. We spend our time practicing combat instead."
Elizabeth took a deep breath, almost a sigh. Her back went rigid and every limb became stiff, making John's smile grow. He was getting to her.
"Course we do other things besides practicing swordplay," John continued, still smiling, "We learn to devoid ourselves of the weak emotions, how to advance our powers. My special talent is mind control, but you know all about that…"
"If you aren't going to torture me, then would you please leave me alone?" she interrupted, a hint of restraint in her tone.
"You hate it don't you?" he asked, but didn't let her answer and took a seat in a chair by the wall, "You have just received your first lesson."
She finally opened her eyes to stare at him incredulously, "Lesson? On what?"
"On emotions," he explained, "What you just felt was annoyment."
"I don't understand."
"I'm going to teach you how to be human. I want you to feel anger, sadness, joy, fear," John grinned devilishly, "lust."
"My master said emotions are a weakness," Elizabeth replied, unfazed, "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to return to my meditation."
"Emotions aren't a weakness," John said, as if she hadn't said the last part, "Well not all of them. Mercy, compassion and love are considered to be weak. Passion and love are different though, a Varren needs to be passionate in life."
She didn't say anything; instead she was back to sitting quietly with her eyes closed. Now it was his turn to frown, "I've been accused of being too merciful at times, what's your opinion?"
Again no response. Damn! He knew she was smart but he wouldn't guess she'd figure out to ignore him so soon. With her patience there was no way he could get around this unless he planned to spend the night. Not that the thought was unappealing but he highly doubted she'd accommodate him. "Alright, I'll leave," he conceded but stopped at the door, "But I'm not through with your lessons yet. I'll thaw out your cold heart, Ice Queen."
As he left the brig to head back to his quarters, John remembered when he'd first captured her and what she'd said, "You've won this round." She'd never surrender to him, he'd have to work at it to make sure she one day would.
Lorne trudged back to his ship the rain pouring down on top of him. His employer Garrigan had gotten himself killed before he could pay him so he had been stuck with a cargo hold filled with Klorkian spice that he couldn't get rid of. He ended up having to sell it to the next bidder and had gotten a price considerably less than he had wanted so his mood was not a very good one.
"Rodney if the damn engines are busted again I'm tossing your ass out in the rain," He yelled not meaning a word he said just needing to vent.
"It didn't go so well did it lad?" Carson guessed.
"No what made you think that?" Lorne asked sarcastically.
"Well you didn't have to take it out on me!" Rodney exclaimed.
"I know," Lorne admitted, "It's just we haven't had a good job in months."
"Perhaps your luck will change."
All three men whirled around to see their friend Teyla and another woman with her, "Teyla!"
She smiled, "Trouble in the business?"
Lorne shrugged, "Nothing we can't handle."
"I'm sure."
He nodded, "So I'm guessing that since you are here you need our help on some dangerous and possible deadly mission."
"That would be a yes."
"Carson get out the medical supplies because we're gonna need them."
Teyla laughed, "The Administration will make it worth your while."
He grinned, "Are we talking big money like last time?"
"More."
"Where's the first stop?" He asked.
"And who's your friend?" Rodney asked.
The woman stepped forward and they all could see the Ranue symbol on her hand, "My name is Laura Cadman."
"Captain Marcus Lorne, This is Rodney," And he turned to Carson, "And this is Carson Beckett."
Her eyes widened, "H…hi." She squeaked, "I…I'm Laura."
"Yes you said that lass," He smiled.
"Oh…right," She laughed nervously.
Teyla smiled knowingly, "Actually Laura, Carson is a doctor."
"A doctor?!" She asked excitedly and realized her mistake, "Oh a doctor," She repeated a bit less eager but she couldn't hide the smile on her face.
Carson noticed her behavior, "Your not like any Ranue I've ever met."
"I'm Jack's apprentice," She could tell they didn't know what that meant; "He's married to Samantha Carter." Now they knew who he was.
"Oh…that makes sense," Lorne said looking from Laura to Carson and shaking his head. "Okay we should probably get going."
"Yes," Teyla began, "I'll explain, Elizabeth was taken by Varren warriors."
"Okay we searched the galaxy for that woman and they lose her in little more than three months!" Rodney pointed out.
Teyla gave him a look, "Anyways we don't know which apprentice has her so I need you to enter Varren airspace to see if we can figure out which one."
Lorne raised an eyebrow, "The point last time was to avoid Varren airspace."
"Well don't do that this time," Laura stated simply.
Teyla shook her head, "As said before you will be paid VERY well for doing this for the Administration."
"Well it better be one heck of a large number," He turned to Rodney, "go fire up the engines."
"Right," Rodney began, "about that you see their may be a problem with the sublight engines so it will take some time before we can enter…"
Lorne groaned, "Here we go again."
TBC
A/N: So what did you think? Please review and we'll bring out the next chapter faster.
