~~Author's notes: Usual disclaimers…don't own 'em, can't afford 'em. Just having fun…~~
The frigid water closed over his head and Teal'c sank towards the bottom of the pool. He began to think that perhaps this wasn't such a good idea after all. The cold water began to numb his skin and kicking his legs, he exhaled and rose to the surface. He paddled for a moment before reaching out to grab the rope that dangled from the ledge above. He pulled on the rope and the plastic wrapped pack dropped into the water beside him with a splash. With the pack trailing behind, he struck out for the closest edge nearest to where he thought he'd seen stairs.
The water grew shallower closer to the edge. Teal'c waded out, still pulling his pack behind. He stood on the shore and looked back towards where he had come from. The ledge was almost invisible in the dim light. He unwrapped his pack and, thankfully, everything inside was dry. Teal'c shivered for a moment, pulled out a towel and dried himself. He quickly donned his clothes and boots and pulled his flashlight out of the pack. He shone the light on the area that he thought he'd seen stairs in. Yes, indeed, there was a set of stairs carved into the rough stone wall. He shouldered his pack and cautiously began to climb the stairs.
The stairs led to a corridor that slanted sharply upwards. He proceeded slowly, checking the ground for possible traps. After a few moments, the passage seemed to level out. Teal'c shone his light towards the end of the passageway, but it seemed to be blocked by a landslide of stones that made up the corridor he was in. Something at the edge of the pile caught his eye however. There seemed to be a doorway partially hidden by the fallen rock. Teal'c put down his pack and walked closer to the slide. Yes, it was a door - and if he was careful, he might be able to get it open and see what was beyond. He began to shift some of the larger rocks out of the way, widening the opening next to the door. After a few minutes, he had cleared enough space so that he could push the latch that held the door closed. He shoved downwards on the latch, inadvertently starting a small rockslide when the door popped open. He grabbed his pack and jumped through the doorway, just as a loud rumbling noise alerted him to a more serious landslide occurrence. Teal'c pushed against the door with all his might; managing to shove the door closed as the rock fall tried to slide further into the room. He leaned back against the door and looked around.
The room had a high ceiling and small triangular windows at the top on one side, which let in a small amount of light. There was no way he could reach them. There seemed to be no other exits as the only door was blocked by the new rockslide. Teal'c frowned, a crease appearing in the golden tattoo on his forehead. He set his pack down and began to carefully inspect the walls for another way out. Examining the wall on the far side, Teal'c noticed an odd formation to several stones. He shone his flashlight and noticed a hairline fracture running up the wall between several stones. He pushed against it, but it did not move. He ran his fingers along the wall, looking for any sort of loose stone or indentation that would indicate an opening mechanism. Just as he was about to give up, his fingers found a slightly loose stone. He pushed the stone inwards and the crack widened into a doorway.
Bright light poured into the dark room causing Teal'c to blink. He picked up his pack and stepped through the doorway into a large room. The room, lit from above with massive cathedral windows, was empty. Teal'c could see a large wooden door at one end of the room. He hurried towards it, hoping that it was an exit to the outside. Pulling open the door, he saw a fruit tree filled courtyard, surrounded by high walls. He stepped out onto the terrace stone flags and looked around. There was an arched opening at one end of the courtyard. Teal'c walked through the fruit trees towards the archway. Large red apples hung in abundance from the trees. Teal'c decided against taking some, as it was an alien planet he was on after all.
The archway led into a passage which, at the end, he could see an open drawbridge of sorts. Teal'c walked to the end of the passageway and saw a small group of trees where a campfire was burning brightly. Sitting around the campfire, he could see Daniel Jackson and Major Carter. Pacing nearby was Colonel O'Neill.
"Where the heck is Teal'c?" He heard Colonel O'Neill say loudly. "He should have been here an hour ago."
Teal'c crossed the bridge. As he drew nearer, he could hear the end of Major Carter's reply.
"…and FRED probably got stuck a few times and it is taking longer that we originally thought to get here," Major Carter was saying. "You know how that thing drives."
"Jack, just sit down and relax," Daniel said. "Teal'c will be here soon enough and then we can.." Daniel's voice ebbed away.
"We can what, Daniel?" Jack asked. He turned to look at the archeologist. "Hello!! Earth to Daniel!!"
"Uh, Jack," Daniel said, standing up slowly. "Teal'c is over there." He gestured in the direction of the castle.
"Where?" Jack spun around to look in the direction of the castle. "Oh, hey, T-buddy, I was just about to send out the cavalry. What took you so long and where is FRED? And for that matter, how did you get over there?" Jack finished, scratching his head.
"O'Neill, I have not noticed any equines on this planet. I fell into a hole while enroute and ended up in an underground passage that led to a very cold pool of water. I then found myself in a rockslide and a room with no exit. After finding a secret door, I found myself in the castle. I assume that FRED is where I left it – next to the hole in the woods." Teal'c replied.
"Oh, well, glad you made it ok," Jack said. "The rest of your story needs more explanation, but I am sure you will explain while we retrieve FRED from the woods."
"Indeed," Teal'c said, inclining his head. "I am sure the lasagna that Dr. Frasier sent for your dinner will be cold by now."
TBC…Reviews always appreciated.