Disclaimer: I don't Highlander (or Stargate when I get to it)
Rating: Warning this chapter is K+ (there is violence in it)
Beta Reader: None (other them myself and my computer – we argue a lot :p) Update: Since this has been reloaded, it was beta read by Fanlass
Reviewers: Nedy Rahn – Thanks for the nice review and for giving me the urge to do some research. I give full credit to you. Without your review, I would never have gone looking for the right name. Rhacotis was renamed Alexandria by Alexander the Great. (Way after Nyssa had left of course, since she didn't think Alexander was that Great LOL!)
kahless21 – I'm glad you're enjoying it and I hope you continue to.
CubsKing – Thank you for the nice words and I hope you enjoy the rest of the chapters.
Author's Note: I'm going to continue to post the Chronicle entries at the end of each post, but only entries that relate to the chapter. Or I would have nothing but entries and no story. Lol Update (2014): I went through the story after it was removed and made some changers, the fact it has fewer chapters is one, but don't worry it's all here. I hope if you've already read this story, you enjoy it again and again. For those of you who are reading it for a first time. I hope you enjoy it.
AAD
4 years after Chapter 5….
Chapter 6: Just passing through
900BC: Rhacotis (Alexandria, Egypt.)
Nyssa smacked Karam's hand away as he patted her bottom, giggling. She hurried to the door opening it. She grinned excitedly. "Alexander." She threw herself into the Immortals arms.
Methos wrapped his arms around her, grinning. "Aaliyah," he laughed and kissed her forehead, taking a good look at her. "You look wonderful, little one."
She smiled as he released her. "As do you," she gave Ruth a hug next. She loved Ruth like a sister, being happy when Methos had married her. "I am so glad to see you both."
Ruth was pleased to see her friend. "Alexander is right, you do look wonderful. Marriage and motherhood is good for you."
"Thank you," she stepped back and let them into the house. "Karam, look who is here," she announced and shut the door.
Karam smiled and welcomed them both cheerfully. "Alexander, Ruth. It is good to see you."
"And you, Karam," Methos insisted. His looked around the young man excitedly for the two children he considered family. "Where are the little ones?"
There was squealing and Jalia and Sabri ran over to them, hugging both Methos and Ruth, excitedly. Both children had black hair and brown eyes, their features were similar to Karam's that they could be mistaken for his children. They weren't though, they'd been found after their parents had been killed and Nyssa and her husband had taken the two in and made them a part of their family.
Methos looked at Karam, the man was proud. "What are you feeding these two, Karam? They are growing so fast."
Warmth filled Karam's brown eyes. "My wife happens to be an excellent cook."
Ruth laughed. "Well she did not learn that from Alexander."
Nyssa giggled. "No I did not. Come." She guided them through to the common room. The children chatted excitedly to their Uncle Alexander and Aunt Ruth. "What brings you to Rhacotis?" she asked as they sat.
Ruth and Methos exchanged glances. "We are passing through," she revealed.
"We decided it was time to relocate," Methos added.
Nyssa knew there was more to it, but didn't push it. "We were about to have our evening meal, please I insist you join us."
"We'd love to," Ruth accepted. She knew Methos wanted to talk to Aaliyah alone.
Therefore, once the evening meal was over Ruth volunteered to help Karam settle the children for the night. After they'd both kissed the children goodnight, Methos and Nyssa slipped out of the house into the cool evening going for a walk.
"What has happened, Alexander?" she asked him, knowing there could be ears listening.
"They know, Aaliyah," Methos answered. "Kronos found me. He was passing through Jerusalem and resorted to of all things blackmail. He said he'd leave Ruth and I alone in exchange for information about the Watchers."
Nyssa shivered. "Did you?"
"On the day of the exchange Kronos stupidly challenged me to a fight," he answered. "I was so close to taking his head, little one. So close."
"But you did not?" She was confused as to why not.
"No, Ruth and a group of watchers intervened. Kronos was captured – they plan to trap him in an underground chamber that is part of an ancient prison. Hopefully for eternity."
Nyssa linked arms with him. "I hope so, too."
He smiled warmly. He'd missed her – his little one. "The watchers were disappointed in Ruth for knowingly marrying an Immortal, but they did not turn us in. It seems I am not much of a danger to them and it would have upset the entire organization." He paused, hearing Nyssa giggle softly at his raw sarcasm. "Ruth and I had to leave the city. We're on an extended 'assignment'."
"And me?"
"Ruth did not reveal you were Immortal when they asked," he assured. "She told them your parents were killed in a sandstorm when you were a baby and I had been your guardian ever since, which is the truth in a way."
She nodded. "It is."
Methos noted as they walked something was bothering her. "What is it, little one?"
"Karam and I took the children to Canopus, to Karam's Uncle Hakim and his family," she revealed. "While we were there, I sensed another Immortal. He challenged me, I told him no, but he threatened Karam and the children."
"So you accepted," he guessed.
"I did," she said with a nod. "I meet him at nightfall and I made him realize he had not challenged a child. I brought him to his knees and took his head without a second thought."
Methos sighed; he had expected it to happen. He stopped her and drew her into his arms. They were far enough away for him to do so safely. Now he empathized with her anxiety. "Your first quickening."
She clung to him. "Wind blew up around me and my mind filled with visions of places and people I had never seen. It was frightening and exhilarating."
"Exhilarating, little one?"
Blushing, Nyssa looked up into his eyes. "For a moment, it felt so …" Her eyes darkened and her body warmed. "It was almost…" She blushed harder.
He understood, smiling amused, "Almost like making love?"
"Yes," she said self-consciously. She rested her head against his chest. "It felt like when we made love and it did not go straight away. Karam returned with Hakim and his son Jamil. They had heard the quickening, but did not know what it was. Hakim and Jamil buried the body while Karam got me back to Hakim's house. While I was cleaning up…" Her voice faded and she shivered slightly, but not from cold.
"Karam was there and you made love?" he asked, he rubbed her back gently.
"We did, I could not stop myself. I felt like the quickening was burning through my body and I ached with want. I felt so…"
"Wanton?"
She nodded, nuzzling against his chest. He smell was so familiar, it made her recall nights when they'd laid together after making love. His heart beat lulling her off to sleep, warm, and content in his arms.
"It was the quickening, little one." He cupped her face, caressing her cheeks. He had to stop this before it went too far. "It will not always be like that," he assured her. "Sometimes it will pass quickly. Sometimes you will feel like your skin is crawling and other times."
Nyssa couldn't help but giggle softly. "Other times I will feel like a harlot?"
He chuckled. "You my little one, you could never be a harlot. Not in my eyes, nor I believe in Karams."
"Thank you, old man," she smiled warmly.
His lips brushed over her forehead. "Come on little one, let us return, before it is thought I seduced you away from your husband."
Nyssa giggled, taking his arm, they started back. "I do not believe you would do that."
"No?" Methos chuckled light-heartedly. "Perhaps I am slipping."
She laughed with him and they returned to the home she shared with her family. She welcomed the time she had with him and Ruth, before their paths once more separated.
AAD
Extracts from the Nyssa Chronicles – Translated by Dr Daniel Jackson
900 BC
– Methos and Ruth arrive at Rhacotis and visit. They are passing through. While Ruth stays with Karam and the children, Methos and I take a walk. He tells me of Kronos' arrival and capture. That the 'Watchers' now know he is Immortal, he reveals they are disappointed in Ruth for knowingly marrying an Immortal and that they did not turn him in.
He also tells me they are on an extended "assignment". The Watchers still do not know I am Immortal, though Ruth does. She has promised not to reveal my secret that she told their fellow Watchers that he had found me as a baby, which is not untrue. I tell Methos of what happened in Canopus and of Hakim and Jamil's promise. He is pleased I have found a family with these mortals.
Methos and Ruth stay with us a week before they leave. They promise to send news once they are settled.
855 BC
– After 49 years of marriage, I have lost Karam to fever. I held him in my arms as he died. My daughter, son, and their families are there and we grieved together. He was entombed in the family crypt. After the funeral, I locked myself away in my home, removing the makeup I have used to make me look older and start to train intensely again. I know my family is worried, but it is getting time for me to move on and I must prepare.
854 BC
– Traveling from Canopus to Alexandria, with my family after visiting family in Canopus. We are attacked and all but my two grandsons' are killed, I manage to protect them before I too am killed. I revive to find them grieving at their parent's sides. Enraged, I give them both my love and tell them I will send help back.
I sneak into Alexandria; clean myself up, change into more suitable attire. Get my sword and daggers, supplies and a horse. I alert authorities and then go back to my grandsons. I tell them help is on the way. They know I will not be back. I tell them to go their Uncle and leave. I go on a killing spree, finding those responsible and kill them without remorse.
I met up with Kronos who has escaped his confinement, he feeds my anger, and the Archangel rides again. We become the nightmare we both once were. (I am 174 years old)
852 BC
– Becoming separated from Kronos, I run into Methos, learning of Ruth's death. Methos can see his 'little one' is on a path of destruction, fearing for his own life and mine; he drugs me and I end up in Xizang in the Himalayas at a monastery. He leaves me with the monks there, who promise to look after me and continues on to a monastery in Tibet.
At the monastery, the monks teach me to meditate and find inner peace; they also teach me a few different fighting styles, from the physical to mental. I learn to read and write their language and a few others. They give me chance to study and I take it. They keep my Immortality a secret as the years pass, becoming protective of me. They were true friends. (I am 176 years old)
702 BC
– Xizang – after calling the temple home for 150 years, I leave. Finally feeling I found inner peace. Before I leave, I find out Methos stayed at a monastery in Tibet. I am told to forgive him, which I do. He did the right thing. (I am 326 years old)
701 BC
– I arrive in Greece and have a run in with some unsavoury men. Another Immortal comes to my aid – Demetrious. He tells me he has no wish to fight me and invites me back to his home. We talk and he reveals we have a mutual friend – Methos. I stay with Demetrious for a while, he takes me becomes like a big brother to me. (I am 327 years old)
600 BC
– I have to admit, I have no memory of anything I did for the next five years. It is completely blank, I remember being at Abydos, but I do not remember leaving. Yet I must have. (I am 428 years old)
595 BC
Egypt – I am found by a young master stonecutter and his wife by the River Nile near Thebes. I have no idea how I came to be there, they expect I may have been attacked and left for dead. I introduce myself as Zahra. Laurus and his wife, Bityah insist I return to their home and stay with them until I recover. Through Laurus and Bityah, I learn more about the 'Watchers'. They think they are recruiting me, which makes me keep my Immortality a secret from them even more.
During my time there, Laurus and Bityah tell me of a legend that is being told of Methos and Nyssa. Of how it is said: 'The two will be one and will bring peace and an end to the game'. I play along with their recruitment to get as much information as I can about the legend. Then a few months later, I stage my own abduction and disappear. (I am 433 years old)
300 BC
Samaria – While using the alias Sarah, I meet an Immortal called Daniyyel, who is 2250 years old, though he looks no older than myself. We get on well together and Daniyyel convinces me to stay, I do. Daniyyel is only the second Immortal I have taken as a lover and what a lover. He has made me feel things I have not felt since Methos. In saying he came close to the old man, is not an embellishment. Very, very close. For now, I am content to stay in Samaria with him. (I am 728 years old)
295 BC
– Daniyyel and I realize our time in Samaria is up, it has become noticeable we are not aging. We leave in the middle of the night and head for Jerusalem. It's obvious though there is another Immortal following us and after one more night together, we part ways. Going in different direction, I have faith that Daniyyel will survive and I will see him again. (I am 733 years old)
155 BC
– I travel through Jordan and stop at Petra, here I once more hear of the legend pertaining to Methos and Nyssa, this time from a young Immortal and his teacher who are visiting Petra. I meet them on holy ground. They are both Priests and welcome me, insisting I rest and give me food and water. As we talk, I ask them about the legend and if they believe, it is true. Neither can give me an answer, since it is unknown if Methos and Nyssa are myths or not. I thank them for their time and hospitality. I to do decided to spend some time among the Nabataeans and learn about them. I also hear tales that have been passed down of a young man who stayed with them but did not age. Methos told me he stayed in Petra around 3000 BC. (I'm 873 years old)
145 BC
Petra, Jordan – After 10 years with the Nabateans, I leave when it is starting to become noticeable I am not aging. I slip away, leaving a husband behind who did not know about my Immortality. My leaving suited both of us. It was only a marriage of convenience. (I am 883 years old)
69 BC
Alexandria, Egypt – Cleopatra, daughter of Ptolemy Auletes is born. The future Queen of Egypt.
To be continued in – Chapter 7: Myths in a Queen's Court