Disclaimer: I don't Highlander (or Stargate when I get to it)
Rating: Warning this chapter is K+
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, I wanted to include Merlin since I started the story. I loved how it was introduced into Stargate SG-1.
Caligate – Glad you liked it and there will be more interaction.
Author's Note: Originally this was chapter was just an entry from Nyssa's Chronicle that was posted on the Official Highlander Message Board. However it was one I'd always wanted to write, but never got around to doing it until I was nearly finished the whole story. I'm glad I did though. And though I'm not really good at writing sword fights, I hope the fight scene does make sense. Update (2014): I went through each chapter to fix any mistakes; if I've missed any please let me know.
AAD
Extracts from the Nyssa Chronicles – Translated by Dr Daniel Jackson
780 AD
– I find myself in Greece once again and run into Demetrious. He insists on me staying with him and introduces me to his wife as his sister, he does it with a wink, and I realize Katina knows about Immortals. Katina is wonderful woman who welcomes me into the family and we become friends much to Demetrious' joy. (I'm 1808 years old)
790 AD
– Demetrious and I part ways as he and Katina have to leave town after a headhunter arrives. I wish them both well and we go in different directions.(I'm 1818 years old)
820 AD
– Amanda is born
850 AD
– Street thief Amanda steals bread to eat from a house marked as one where victims have died of the plague. She is clubbed to death and awakens on a pile of bodies about to be burned. Sensing a strange power from nearby, she looks up to see the noblewoman Rebecca Horne who realizes that Amanda is a newly born Immortal and has her taken to the Abbey of St. Anne. While there, Amanda learns about Immortality and her unique heritage. Unused to Rebecca's kindness, she attempts to steal a crystal that Rebecca has hidden in a trunk but Rebecca catches her and forgives her, asking her to remain and learn.
900-997 AD
– The last time Kronos and Methos saw Silas (before the Horsemen reunited briefly in 1997)
[Side Note: Nyssa remarked she was not anywhere near them and was thankful she wasn't. That she never wanted to be the Archangel ever again. – Dr Daniel Jackson]
900 AD
– Valencia, Spain. Once more using the alias Sarah, I meet up with Daniyyel and invite him back to my Villa. I am afraid my old friend is losing his will to live. I convince him to stay with me for a while, hoping to change his outlook on life. The Villa is outside of town and other than my staff who I trust with my life, we are very much alone. I hope this will help.
I have tried to talk with Daniyyel, to find out what has happened since we last meet. He merely smiled warmly and tells me life has been good to him; however, I do not believe him. I can see there is something wrong. A letter arrives from Methos, he tells me not to reply and why. He also tells me before he ran into his 'brothers' he met with Daniyyel. He explains Daniyyel's last wife died and his adopted daughters were killed. Now I understand. I just wish I could thank Methos for the information. (I'm 1928 years old)
AAD
399 years after Chapter 10…..
Chapter 11: Life, love and ascension
912AD - Valencia, Spain
Moonlight shone through the windows, a light breeze blowing at the sheer curtains that hung there. On the large double bed, two people lay in the dim light. The breeze cooling their naked bodies; which was refreshing after the heat of the day. They were concerned by neither their lack of clothing nor the intimacy of their position. None of the servants would interrupt them, nor would they be shocked by the goings on.
"She was so beautiful, Nyssa," Daniyyel said, his full of emotion. "So full of life. She didn't deserve what happened to her, neither did the girls."
Caressing his cheek, Nyssa heard the pain in his voice and saw it in his eyes. Twelve years after he'd agreed to stay with her, he was finally talking about what had happened to his wife and daughters. "She knew you fought for her, her and your daughters. That you loved them and died for them." She brushed her fingers over his chest lightly. She had one leg draped over his hip, keeping them close together. "You'll hold their love in your heart forever."
Daniyyel rested his head against her chest as she held him. "I'm so tired of all the death, Nyssa," he whispered wearily.
She kissed the top of his head; his light brown hair was soft to her touch. "We'll get through this, Daniyyel, I promise."
He looked up, seeing the fear she held in her eyes, fear of losing him. It wasn't time yet, but when it was she would know just as he would and she would do it because she loved him and she knew it would be what he wanted.
He pushed her back against the bed and pinned her body beneath his. "Will you remember me forever?"
His question sent shivers down her spine, but she answered him. "Yes. Forever, I promise."
"That's all I ask," he whispered and brushed his lips over hers and she parted them, giving him entrance to her mouth. Her tongue playing a tantalizing game with his as a familiar burning of passion spread through his body and hers. He moved his hand to her hip and rubbed the soft flesh there.
She moaned. "Daniyyel..."
AAD
85 years later...
997 AD Valencia, Spain
Nyssa jumped back avoiding the blade of Daniyyel's sword. She'd given herself to the Archangel, letting that part of her take over, but not completely. Just enough that it was giving her the edge she needed.
She blocked the thrusting of his sword and twisted it with her own, eventually flicking his sword out of his hands.
Daniyyel dropped to his knees defeated, breathing heavily. "Do it, Nyssa."
She shook her head. "No!"
"Yes! It's all right. We'll see each other again. I promise."
Nyssa hesitated, her sword posed to strike, she didn't want to do this.
"Now Nyssa!" He shouted angrily at her. "Free me from my pain. Please!"
She saw him close his eyes, saw the peace on his face, he was accepting his fate. Tears stung at her eyes as she gave in and swung her sword, taking his head. Stepping back as his headless body fell.
A white mist drifted up from his body and swirled around her and then into her body. The Quickening swept her up, lifting her off the ground, her screams dulled by the exposing and flashes of lightning caused by the Quickening. Voices echoed in her mind, people and places she didn't know.
When it was over, she hit the ground, her sword falling from her hand as she collapsed on the grass. Before she lost consciousness she saw Daniyyel's body and head begin glow until it was too bright to look at and she let the beaconing darkness take her.
AAD
... 'Nyssa...'
The darkness faded and Nyssa found herself standing within a column of light that was coming from above her. She wondered where she was.
'You're safe, little one.'
She recognised that voice even after so many centuries. 'Oma?'
The woman she'd known as Chava and later Oma walked into the light, smiling warmly. 'Hello, little one,' she greeted.
Nyssa hugged her. 'I thought I'd never see you again. Where are we?' She asked stepping back.
'We're in your mind, you're unconscious. The Quickening overwhelmed you. You'll be fine in the morning. Methos will find you soon.'
'Methos is in Spain?'
'He is,' a second voice announced.
Nyssa turned and saw Daniyyel, shocked. 'How?' she asked, a waiver to her voice.
He smiled and hugged her. 'I ascended. I know you don't understand, but one day you will,' he promised.
'I want to understand now.'
'It's not the right time,' he assured her. 'But know this. Oma will always be looking out for you, both you and Methos. I have faith in you both though.'
'You always did, Daniyyel,' she said and cupped his cheek. 'Are you at peace now?'
'I am, thank you, Nys.' He brushed his lips over hers. 'I love you, I always will. Remember that.'
'I will.'
'We have to go, Daniyyel,' Oma informed him.
He nodded and hugged Nyssa again. 'One day you will remember all of this, one day.'
She wanted to ask what he meant by all of that, but he and Oma walked away and the light faded away and darkness overcome her again...
AAD
Methos pulled on the reins, bring his horse up sharply, he dismounted and hurried over to Nyssa. She was unconscious, her sword in her hand and Daniyyel's in her other. He looked around, there was no sign of Daniyyel, but it was obvious there has been a quickening by the burn marks on the ground. One particular burn mark stood out from the others - a circle above an upside down V.
Taking the swords, he quickly strapped them to his horse, waving to the riders approaching. "I've found Sarah!" He hurried back to Nyssa and gathered her into his arms, picking her up.
The riders arrived, staff from her villa, one dismounted and took the Immortal from him until he remounted his horse, and she was then passed up to him.
He held her close as the young man wrapped a blanket around her. "Let's get back to the villa, Eduardo ride ahead and tell Senorita Francisca we're returning and to prepare Senorita Sarah's chambers."
"Sí, Senor." The young man turned his horse and galloped away.
Methos turned his horse and along with the stable boy Adán, who had joined the search, rode at a more sedate pace so not to jolt Nyssa too much. He knew what he'd seen, there had been a Quickening, and she had taken Daniyyel's head. He could feel the ancient Quickening within her, merging with her own. He doubted though they'd ever find out what happened.
Nyssa moaned and snuggled close, feeling his hold on her tighten a little. Tears spilt from her closed eyes and slid down her cheeks and she sank further into the darkness.
AAD
Extracts from the Nyssa Chronicles – Translated by Dr Daniel Jackson
Name: Daniyyel of Abydos
Born: 2550 BC
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye Colour: Blue
First Death: 2524 BC – killed in a sandstorm
Profession: Unknown
First Teacher: Unknown
Deceased: 14th March 997 AD
March 21st 997 AD – Valencia, Spain
– It's been a week since Daniyyel's death and I am no closer to understanding what happened that night. I know I took his head and gave him the freedom he so richly desired.
I know I received his quickening. However, I don't remember anything after that. Not until I woke the next morning in my bed in Methos' arms.
Methos explained he arrived at the villa to find both myself and Daniyyel were missing. He organized search parties and they searched throughout the night. When he and two of my servants found me, I was unconscious clutching my own sword and Daniyyel's.
Daniyyel was not there. There was no body, no head. The Quickening though had burnt a symbol into the grass next to me.
I have a feeling I should know this symbol, know what it means. It's so familiar. What I do know is Daniyyel knew this symbol. I had seen him write it and many others a number of times, but never asked him about them despite my curiosity.
What confuses me is I've taken heads before, but none has made me feel as I do. Methos said it most likely has to do with Daniyyel being one of the Ancient ones and they are few in numbers now.
Funny enough, I've always considered Methos an ancient one. Not that I would tell the old man that to his face.
Therefore, I am left with the hope that one day I will figure out what the symbol means that was burnt into the ground. As I someday hope to find out what the languages, I now know how to read and write originated.
One day, I will understand all the knowledge that Daniyyel passed onto me. It may take me a lifetime, or even several life times. Nevertheless, I will work it all out. As long as I keep my head, which I have every intention of doing. There is so much to see and so much to do. As Daniyyel always told me – I am more than the sum or myself.
[Side Note: Going by Nyssa's description, I believe Daniyyel ascended. – Dr Daniel Jackson]
To be continued in – Chapter 12: Redemtion
