Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or anything connected to them.

Sorry, I went on vacation, but I'm back! I hope you enjoy this chapter... it took a lot of work and a bit of research... Well... more to come soon. Enjoy!!!

Our strengths are what divide us from the masses and make us unique. When a member of SG-1 loses their greatest asset, will they still be as valuable as they once were? And can that person come to grips with the loss?

What are we, without our Strengths?: Elder

The group of SG-1 and Krixis approached the throne and saw a figure materialize in it.
"All honourably elder Lerzokos, I present three travelers who came through the Stargate. They are three of the four who violated the sacred forest. The forth was bitten by the Hunter and they wish permission to seek a Hunter in order to cure their friend." Krixis bowed low, then stepped aside and allowed SG-1 to step forward.
"Krixis." The elder said in a loud yet gentle voice.
"Yes my lord?"
"Strangers entered the sacred forest, why did you not deal with them as you should have? The punishment as you know is death."
"My lord... They did not know..."
"They dishonoured you... have you lost your nerve?"
"No! But my lord, they fought valiantly, and have come as allies..."
"Krixis that is why you lead the Brethren: a sharp sword and a sharp mind." Krixis smiled and bowed low. "Strangers, you come to catch a Hunter?"
"Yes, our friend is very ill and our doctor believes that is the only way to save her." Daniel responded.
"She is very lucky for two reasons. One, had she been a man, she would be dead already, and two, she has friends who would risk their lives for her." The elder paused. "Give me time." The elder dematerialized.
"The elder is fair, now we wait." Krixis went over to a wall and leaned against it and sighed. SG-1 just sort of wondered around the hall.
After about ten minutes Daniel shouted loud enough to startle the other three in the hall. "Ah ha!!!"
"Daniel?" O'Neill asked.
"I knew I recognized this writing! It's Etruscan!"
"So?"
"Jack, the Etruscans were an advanced society who wrote books before the foundation of Rome, actually they founded Rome! Then they disappeared... and no one has even been able to translate their writing!"
"Oh." O'Neill said.
"Etruscans... if I remember my ancient history, yes we were called that." Krixis responded. Suddenly, the elder reappeared.
"You, step forward." The elder motioned toward Daniel. "You know much of our most ancient history. The only way that could be, is if you are of the Tau'ri. Are you?"
"Yes."
"Then I will share the rest of the story with you. After we founded the city of Romulus, we discovered the Stargate and we began exploring the stars."
"How did you find the addresses? How did you know what to dial?" Daniel asked.
"Hidden close to the Stargate was a tablet containing fifty addresses as you call them. We explored them all, then when the Romans rebelled against our rule, we traveled to this world; the most beautiful of them all." The elder sighed and then continued. "The sacred forest contains the runes of our first city. After we settled, an evil and powerful race called the Goa'uld attacked us. We survived, but they sacked and burned our city and we declared it a sacred site. The forest grew and we evolved, but to this day, the only people allowed within that sacred forest are those who respect the time period of the forest and wear the armour and hold the weapons of that age." He motioned toward Krixis. "The Goa'uld sometime return, Krixis and his Brethren protect us. His armour is imbued with a powerful force shield that protects him from attacks. The Goa'uld have stolen this technology, but have never made it as effective as ours."
The elder paused and scanned his audience. "If you wish to enter the forest and seek the Hunter, you may. Krixis, you will provide them with the proper attire and guide them through the forest."
"My lord! I will provide them with the attire, but guide them? I am already dishonoured, let my second in command guide them, I am too shamed." Krixis pleaded.
"No, no one knows the forest as well as you. You are the only one I can trust with the strangers. Do what you must to regain your honour as long as the Tau'ri complete their quest. Do you understand?" O'Neill was sure he heard some sort of underlying meaning, and decided to keep a careful eye on Krixis.
"I will guide them. Thank you, my lord." Krixis bowed and headed toward the doors.
"Thank you for hearing us out." Daniel ended.
"Yeah thanks a bunch!" O'Neill said and followed Krixis.
Soon the group was outside and collected their weapons. "So, now what?" O'Neill asked.
"I take you to the Stargate, and you return to your... Earth." Krixis answered.
"Wait justa minute! The elder said..." O'Neill began.
"Tomorrow you will return and we will hunt the hunter." Krixis said and began walking toward the Stargate. When they reached the gate, Krixis dialled them home, with Daniel looking over his shoulder.
"When you return, tend to your friend. Then prepare and return tomorrow." Krixis said, then turned and walked away, leaving SG-1 to head through the gate.

Note: I would like to point out; the Etruscans are a real race from ancient history. They existed before the foundation of Rome, they developed books and Etruscans served as kings in Rome until the Romans rebelled. To this day, we don't know what happened to the Etruscans or how or why they vanished and we still haven't deciphered their books. I found this extremely interesting and decided to include it with a Stargate explanation as to what happen to them.

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