-0-0-0-

CHAPTER SEVEN

-0-0-0-

At first, Daniel blinked, squinting at the man and Vala squeaked, her head spinning towards Jeron as the man spouted his preposterous proposal.

The Leaders of the Five Tribes wanted a Princess and, if necessary, her consort. They wanted Vala and Daniel to remain and rule their planet!

Daniel's thoughts were on the vast rich Naquadah mine's resources there for just a second before his mind went full tilt the other direction – how perfect it would be...spending the rest of his life on a peaceful planet with Vala. Insane!

Vala couldn't believe it! She hadn't done a thing, and she'd scored the deal of a lifetime. Palaces, riches, Naquadah and adoring underlings. And she didn't even want it. All that mattered was her Daniel. Anywhere, wherever, as long as she was with him. Incredible!

Jeron continued, reading from the notes he held, outlining the negotiating tactics, and jabbering some nonsense about Daniel's heritage. When at last he finished his bizarre speech, the man bowed.

Clearing his throat, sitting straight up, and covers forgotten, Daniel said simply... "What!"

Millia's mouth dropped open at the sight of Daniel's bare chest as Vala managed to hold back a laugh.

"Think it over. I will return for your answer." Jeron handed over a diamond about the size of a golf ball, which Vala let him place in the palm of her hand.

Then the two visitors departed without ceremony.

"I love you too, Daniel...or is that Prince Daniel?" Vala grinned, teeth clamped, and shoulders up.

Daniel shot out of bed and rushed to dress. "I have got to go talk to Mitchell! This is the by far the weirdest planet I have ever been on. I'll be back...soon." He kissed her roughly, and hurried out, leaving Vala grinning, the diamond perched on her palm.

"A girl could get used to all this attention...while ruling a planet with Daniel – having royal children to govern through the ages, Daniel at my beck and call." Vala tossed the diamond towards the end of the bed and grabbed the breakfast tray.

-0-0-0-0-

Out of breath from running to the team's camp, Daniel came to a halt around their morning fire, startling them when he immediately started talking ninety to nothing between gasps for air. "You won't believe...I...they...she...this is nuts, guys. They think Vala is a princess...I mean, like a royal princess...they want to trade for her...me...to stay and rule the Five Tribes...they won't take no for an answer...and Vala isn't any help at all...imagine that! Jeron insists we negotiate...they..."

Mitchell stood suddenly, dumping the MRE in his lap onto the ground. "Did we just shift to a parallel universe?"

"So they really do think she's a real Princess? And you're her slave? And they want you two to rule Boldera?" Sam held the forkful of eggs stalled near her mouth.

Sighing in exasperation, Daniel rushed on. "He kept insisting I was some royalty before I was captured, put into slavery, and saved by the 'princess.' Holy buckets! They want us to be the Queen and consort or king, prince...whatever!"

"And through the wormhole to an alternate reality?" Still in state of confused shock, Mitchell added to his earlier comment.

Daniel continued at a faster pace. "We have to get her back to the ship. As soon as possible. Before this entire deal goes out the window. I'll arrange to take her. Even if I have to throw her over my shoulder and haul her back!"

"Won't be the first time." Grinning now, Mitchell kept his gaze on the frustrated archeologist.

"Mak lo onak." Teal'c stared at Daniel.

Setting aside her breakfast, Sam stood and began to up pack up their camp. "You can say that again!"

"Mak lo onak." Teal'c turned to Sam, repeating as instructed.

"Come on guys, give me a break! Do you realize how much trouble we're in?" Daniel ran a hand through his hair.

"Not us, Prince Charming, that'd be you and the Princess. We just need to find a way to get you two off the planet, and keep our deal for the Naquadah. Otherwise, you're gonna be raisin' little princesses and princes right here on Boldera. Nice place, though."

"Cam." Sam scolded. "We have to figure out what we can do. There has to be some way to talk them out of keeping you and as Cam said, keep our deal."

"The Bolderians seem quite taken with ValaMalDoran, and her standing as a royal leader...at least in their eyes. I do believe it would be difficult to convince them otherwise."

"Well, the Princess is the Queen of the Con. So, Jackson, you're gonna have to talk to your lady and get her thinkin' like in the old days."

"Oh, great." Daniel frowned, hands on his hips, and head shaking. "Yeah, that'll work. By the time she's finished you guys will be banned from Boldera and I'll be the Beloved Slave of Princess ValaMalDoran...happily chained to her bed. I guess that wouldn't be so bad. Oh, crap, I can't believe I said that out loud."

-0-0-0-

A fire blazed in the royal chambers, casting a golden glow throughout the luxurious room.

Everyone was yelling, well everyone but Teal'c. Mitchell yelled the loudest, and Sam the least. Vala's words were cut short by Daniel every time she attempted to yell anything. Daniel's were precise, logical and direct – but loud enough.

Jeron's words, while quite loud, were confused. Lipkin's fear driven, Silus' demanding, Cardil's were cautious, and Arvenna's were always directed at Daniel, and yelled out more to get his attention then to make a point.

Accusations fired back and forth. Tempers flared. The royal chambers echoed with the heated discussion.

Finally, Jeron reached into a satchel and held up a ZPM, telling the team that another one existed, and the Five Tribes would turn one over, and possibly both of them, in exchange for the Princess and her beloved slave, Jackson.

Mitchell turned to Daniel. "Hey, Beloved Slave Jackson, that's somethin' to think about, two ZPMs seems like a hell of a trade for you two!"

Daniel glared at the colonel. "Don't be an ass, Mitchell. We can work this out. Somehow." He straightened his shoulders and moved closer – for a better look at the ZMP – ever the diplomat he smiled wanly. "Jeron, let us have a few days to talk this over. Make plans."

Appearing suspicious, Jeron studied Daniel and then glanced at Princess ValaMalDoran. She smiled, winked, and then nodded her consent. Jeron brought his beady eyes back to Daniel. "Two days. No more. We will be watching you."

Seeing the exchange, Daniel rolled his eyes. Sometimes he just wanted to strangle her, or kiss her, or both.

-0-0-0-

After the leaders of the Five Tribes left, Vala and Sam sat on the bed, while Mitchell, Teal'c, and Daniel all paced around the room.

"We need to find a real princess for them or a queen or king. As much as I would love to take the dig...ah, gig, I think Daniel wouldn't and I go where Daniel goes." Vala slid off the silk coverlet, bare feet slapping the tiled floor.

Daniel approached her with a smile and a grateful nod.

"Harry Maybourne!" Sam blurted out as she jumped from the bed.

"Carter, that's what they pay you for! You're a genius." Cam winked at Sam. "How do we find him?"

"Wait a minute." Daniel took a step forward. "What makes you think Maybourne would leave his current kingdom?"

"Hmm." Mitchell scratched his head, puzzled, then turned towards Teal'c.

With a breath as close to a sigh as the Jaffa could manage, Teal'c bowed his head towards his CO. "ColonelMaybourne - King Arkhan the First - would most certainly be attracted by the money. And this palace. He could possibly bring his wives as well as his subjects with him. Also, the planets and their people are similar."

Jabbing a pointed finger in Teal'c's direction, Mitchell grinned boyishly, "and that's what they pay you for!"

"I'm in. Let's go get him!" Vala tightened her pigtail bands, rubbed her hands together, and then jerked her jacket down.

"You two aren't goin' anywhere." Cam checked the roll on his sleeve, making sure all was in order, then narrowed his eyes at Vala's pouting face. "We don't want to upset the natives. Remember, they're gonna be watchin' you. Besides, the prince here needs to talk them out of at least one of those ZPMs. You've got another couple of days off, with just a bit of bargaining to do. Have at it...ah, damn...I mean the talkin' them out of the ZPMs."

~TBC