Constructive criticisms always welcomed. Flames cheerfully ignored.

Warning: spoilers for series 5, 6 and 7 coming up.

********************************************************************

Hail to the King

Part 3: Red sky in the morning…

O'Neill climbed the stone staircase to the top of the tower, panting as he reached the top, "Need. To. Keep. In. Better. Shape." He leaned against the parapet and got his first good look at the castle, "Whoa!"

The thick stonewalls encompassed an area several square miles in diameter, and where studded with towers flying banners and flags. On the far side of the compound, a large windmill stood on top of a tower, the blades slowing in the gentle breeze the was sweeping down off the nearby mountains. A large town filled the area within the walls, complete with parks, gardens and a large pond. O'Neill turned and looked at the castle proper: It toward above the landscape, it's buttresses and ramparts soaring majestically to a central tower. A large flag flew from the very top of the structure, showing a red Dragon holding a cross stood on top of a representation of the round table.

"[I take it you are impressed Colonel O'Neill.]" Arthur said from the side, "It took a long time to build, but it make's the people feel safer, so it was worth it."

O'Neill was still amazed, "Is this what Camelot looked like?"

Arthur shook his head, "No, Camelot was a lot smaller, nowhere near as impressive. We did talk of using the same plan's when we arrived here on Avalon, but in the end we decided against it." He leaned back against the parapet, "For 1,500-years I have kept these people safe. Colonel, how big a threat is Anubis?"

O'Neill crossed his arms, "He destroyed an Asgard Battle Cruiser once, and has all but taken control of the System Lords. We're just about holding our own against him."

Arthur nodded grimly, "It is as I feared: this world is protected by a device built by the race you knows as The Ancients. The only reason Major Carter and Teal'c are still alive is that Oma Desala knows them. Come, it is time for our evening meal."

********************************************************************

O'Neill slowly opened his eyes, moaning as the early morning sunlight filled his eyes, "Note to self: mead is a lot stronger than you think!" He slowly sat up, looking around the room: apart from the comfortable bed, there was an ornately craved wooden dresser with his uniform laid out.

Slowly, he swung his legs round from under the covers and stood, steadying himself on the headboard. He stretched his back and legs, and was rewarded with a dole ache that served to remind him of a previous mission. Walking over to the dresser he pulled on his clothes, doing his best to block-out his hangover.

The only door from the room opened into a small lounge that was currently occupied by Teal'c, who was sat quit happily at a table, enjoying a glass of fruit juice, "Good morning O'Neill. I am glad to see that Major Carter was incorrect."

O'Neill blinked, "Huh? What Carter say?"

Teal'c's face didn't change, "She said that you would wake up without your head after you drank so much mead last night."

O'Neill smiled, "Cute. So where are Carter and Daniel?"

Teal'c finished his drink, "They are with Merlin: he is telling them the history of this place and the land you know as England."

O'Neill crossed to the window, "Man, talk about a sunrise!"

Teal'c walked over, "Sunrise was many hours ago: that is fire reflected on the clouds."

********************************************************************

Teal'c and O'Neill made they way down the stairs to the main hall, and where met by Carter on her way up, "Sir, I was just on my way to get you: something's up." She turned round and started back down the stairway, "A rider came in from one of the outposts to the west. He was badly hurt." She stopped suddenly, "Sir, if I didn't know better, I'd say he was hit by a blast from a staff-weapon."

O'Neill shock his head, "Not possible: Arthur told me that this planet is protected by a device that the Ancients built. No-way that there could be any staff-weapon's on planet. Excluding Teal'c's that is."

The main hall was a hive of activity, men and woman in guard uniforms running backwards and forwards, Arthur standing over a large map that was spread across the main table, "[…If we call back the garrisons from the outer fort's, we can muster maybe 2,000-troop's, with another 1,000 from the city militia. No, it's still not enough. We need to send a message to Sir Bedivere to bring his forces down from the north.]"

O'Neill leaned over the table, "What's going on?"

Arthur looked up; "[One of our smaller outposts has been destroyed, apparently by Jaffa. Only one man got out, and he is gravely injured. I am trying to arrange the defences for this castle so we can hold out until the main body of our army can arrive. I have already sent messages by four different means: hopefully one of them will get through.]"

O'Neill nodded, "We'll head back to the Stargate, see if we can bring help through from Earth."

Arthur looked over to the captain of the guards, "[Quarterstaff, is the area surrounding the Chaapa'ai still in our hands?]"

The man nodded, "It is your highness, but I can not guaranty for how much longer we can hold it."

Arthur nodded, "[Have horses made ready to take our guests back there, then tell the outer defences to pull back. I will open the armoury so we can prepare the militia. I only hope Sir Bedivere get's our message in time.]"

********************************************************************

Teal'c crossed the ridge leading to the Stargate and dropped to the ground, signalling for the others to do the same. O'Neill crawled up the earthen bank until he was just below the crest, "What you see big-guy?"

The former Jaffa slid back down, "The Stargate has already fallen to the invaders, and they are using it to bring in reinforcements."

O'Neill pulled his binoculars from his belt and carefully made his way to the crest to see for himself: sure enough, Jaffa where marching out of the Stargate in double rank, forming up in columns on either side. One last figure stepped through, and the wormhole disengaged. O'Neill lowered his field-glasses, "Not good: Osiris."

To Be Continued…