A/N: Well, here it is Merry Christmas!

Mad to think that I posted this story a year ago and have not updated it since. Long story short, I've been crazy busy, dealing with the pandemic, family, a new job, limited free time and some rather interesting mental health issues. Covid has a lot to answer for, that's all I'm saying.

Anywho, I'm in better shape for this story now. I have written just under 60,000 words so far for this bad boy and all I can say is that I hope you like it. Although, as it has been a while, please feel free to reread chapter 1 and maybe the first story 'Tree of Freedom'.

You may have noticed I've changed the title of this fic to 'A Quest for the Cure' from 'The Cure of Saorsa'. I've decided that these stories are a part of a series called 'The Trials of Saorsa' and it just made sense to remove 'Saorsa' from the original title of this fic. I apologise in advance if that causes any confusion.

I am hoping to upload weekly for this story, so do set up some alerts so you don't miss them!

As I mentioned in the first chapter, this may seem quite similar given the current issues surrounding a certain virus, however, it all makes sense in the end. However, if you feel like this story may be something that triggers you, please make the right choice for you. As much as I would like people to read this, I don't want them to make themselves uncomfortable.

Thank you to those that reviewed the first chapter; dpdp, jacats, Rchoward and skater1263 (hello friend!). They are lovely reviews and I loved reading them, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Also, a special thank you to jacats for her help and advice for this story. I really appreciate the time you took to answer my rambling questions, thank you my friend!

As always, mistakes are mine.

Recap: The event horizon of the Stargate burst into life and settled, glowing and shimmering like a pool, illuminating their faces better than the dingy lights under the mountain ever could.

SG1 turned to look at Hammond, who in turn nodded as he leant forward to speak into the intercom microphone. "You have a go, SG1. We'll be in touch."

"General." Jack saluted with a grin. He turned to Sam. "Major..." he extended his arm indicating she should take point.

Sam stepped forward, with Danu, and began the ascent up the ramp and into the wormhole.

Chapter 2

"Well, wasn't that smooth!" commented Jack as he stepped through the Gate. The gate cut out behind him and he unfolded the cap in the front pocket of his vest before placing it on his head. Before they disembarked, Daniel informed them that they would not need to wear hazmats until they reached the dwellings, they would be fine in their normal gear until they reached the settlement.

The last time they were in Saorsa, it was their autumn. The trees, all bar one, had changed and flaunted their autumnal colours and while the day was warm, there was still a slight chill to the air. Summer on Saorsa was completely different.

The trees were brilliant shades of green, the grass had silver shimmers as it rippled through the very welcome breeze and the four suns were shinning high in the bright, blue sky.

"I thought there were three suns on Saorsa?" commented Jack, squinting behind his glasses as he looked up to observe the stars.

Danu smiled. "During the Summer months, there is a sun from another solar system that joins in with our orbit. It is not the strongest sun in our sky, but it is a welcome sight all the same."

"So, about this summer camp?"

Danu nodded, and turned to face north east. "Our journey will take us in the opposite direction to the winter dwellings."

SG1 one turned to follow where Danu was pointing and for a second, they were stunned. Tall, sharp mountains for as far as the eye could see. The Gate, like on most planets was on a small hill, giving them an almost bird's eye advantage of the land's layout. The path ahead of them was differing shades of green, grey and white.

"How do we get there?" asked Daniel.

"We must make our way towards the mountains through the forests, there we will find the path that connects the winter dwellings to the summer dwellings. We will follow it through the mountain pass and descend the mountain alongside the fast river."

Jack let out a low whistle. "That's some trek, Danu. How do the Saorsans manage it?"

Danu smiled. "There is a path leading straight from the winter dwellings straight to the mountains, it is mostly a straight path." Danu looked up at the sky. "I believe that we will make it to the Summer dwellings by the time the second sun has set."

"Great, let's get started." nodded Jack, waving his arm to indicate Danu to take the lead.

Danu bowed her head and began to walk in front of Jack and soon enough, they were walking through the vast meadow away from the gate and everything they already knew about Saorsa. Jack turned back to see that the Gate had grown smaller in the distance, though if he squinted, he was still able to see Danu's tree towering over the others and a faint path leading towards the summer dwellings.

He turned back and continued to walk, trudging through the knee high grass. He looked ahead to see Danu in deep conversation with Daniel, he caught their voices in the air and overheard snippets about what cultural events could be expected during a Summer on Saorsa. Teal'c was walking a few paces behind the goddess and the architect, keenly observing their surroundings and memorising the way back, should they need to. Further behind Teal'c and just ahead of Jack was Sam. She was walking silently, her P90 resting in one hand and her other hand was trailing through the tallest blades of grass. Jack smiled as he watched her.

Saorsa would always have a certain hold over him and while he was happy to accept Danu's invitation to return to the planet, he was a little hesitant. It was only eight months since they were last in Saorsa and while they were there for a little over forty eight hours, a lot had happened. He knew Sam was more affected by the planet than she had let on and had all but refused to divulge anything when he had asked, much to his irritation. He and Sam hadn't spoken any further about their last trip to Saorsa, which was to be expected as they both agreed to leave it in the room. But Jack could feel something deep in him, it was like being back on Saorsa brought it out of him. He suddenly though that perhaps being back on Saorsa would be a good thing for he and Sam, perhaps she would be more keen to open the door to their room. Still, he wouldn't push her, he knew better.

A breathy 'wow' drew his attention back to his team and he looked up and came to a stop next to Sam. "Danu?"

"We just need to walk through the forest." smiled Danu, looking calm and collected, there wasn't a hair out of place. "The trees will offer shade, however, there will not be a lot of air in there." she said pointedly, sweeping her aqua eyes over the team.

Daniel had red eyes, the pollen from the flowers hidden by the long grasses had aggravated his allergies, Teal'c had a light sheen of sweat on his head and Sam's hair had begun to stick to her forehead.

Jack looked at his team and nodded. "Just give us a minute to have a drink."

Danu nodded. "I think I may be able to help there. I will return." She bowed her head slightly before disappearing into the forest, leaving SG1 alone.

Sam swung her bag from her shoulders and squatted to unzip it. She quickly unzipped her jacket, took it off and stuffed it into her bag, but not before pulling out her canteen. She rummaged further and pulled out a small bottle of sun cream and a bottle that rattled when she threw it to Daniel.

"Ah, thanks Sam." said Daniel as he caught it. He saw Jack looking at him and he shook the bottle. "Anti-histamines."

Jack nodded and taking a leaf out of Sam's book, rid himself of his jacket, leaving his arms bare. "You doin' alright, T?"

"I am well, O'Neill." said Teal'c, picking up his staff as he relieved himself of his jacket. "Saorsa has a very warm Summer." he commented.

"You're telling me. Hard not to with four suns in the sky." replied Jack, taking the bottle of suncream from Sam as she offered it to him. He squeezed a small dollop into his hand and lathered it onto his face and the back of his neck.

Sam opened her canteen and took a long swig before putting it back into her pack. She stood, her bag comfortably on her back, her P90 resting by her hip and turned to the suns, closing her eyes and basking in their heat.

"By the looks of it, we still have quite a way to go." said Daniel, looking towards the forest. He squinted before taking a step back. "Er…"

The team looked towards where Daniel was looking and saw a horse trotting towards them. The horse was white, as if crafted from the snow on top of the mountains. Its mane and tail were a deep auburn colour and its eyes were glittering in the suns like sapphires.

"What kind of horse is that?" said Jack, watching the creature with great interest. "I've never seen a horse like that."

"Nor I, O'Neill."

They watched as the horse slowed to a stop in front of them and regarded them with what could only be described as a warm look. It flicked its ears before lowering its head. The team looked at one another, unsure of what to do.

Sam took a step towards the horse, her hand coming up to rest on its nose.

"Ah! Carter!" warned Jack, making the other men look at him. "We've never come across a Saorsan animal before, could be venomous or rabid for all you know."

Sam shook her head as the horse seemed to snort in disgust. "I don't think this is an ordinary horse, Sir."

"Uh, Sam?"

"Look at the colouring, I think it's Danu." said Sam softly, a smile on her face as the horse bowed its head again.

"What?"

"Can she do that?"

Sam grinned as the horse fixed Jack with a stare. "Goddess, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah, I remember." muttered Jack, eyeing the mare skeptically. "How do we know it's actually Danu?"

The mare snorted before seemingly glaring at Jack.

"That's actually a fair point." agreed Daniel, taking a step back as the mare snorted in his direction.

Teal'c remained where he stood, regarding the horse with an impassive stare. "How many suns are in the sky?"

Sam snickered as the horse appeared to roll its eyes. Her snicker turned into a full blown belly laugh when the mare raised a hoof and used it to stamp on the ground four times.

"Okay, Danu, what's the plan here?" asked Jack, finally accepting that the graceful animal in front of him was actually the goddess they had been travelling with.

The mare trotted over to Sam and began to pull at her pack. Sam removed her pack and pulled a rope out. "Are you sure?"

The horse nudged Sam, making the blonde smile. The astrophysicist dropped to a squat before looking at the men of her team. "Pass me your packs."

The men removed their packs and handed them to Sam. The blonde made short work of threading the rope she had removed from her pack through the shoulder straps. With a huff of effort, she loaded them onto Danu's back, two packs hanging either side of her. Once Sam was sure Danu was comfortable, she looked at the men who were regarding her with a look of disbelief.

"Didn't have you down as a horse lover, Major." commented Jack with a smirk. "How very Disney of you."

Ignoring Daniel's chuckle, Sam sneered at him before turning on her heel and following Danu into the forest.