(A/N: Here's a rather short chapter - sorry for the delay. Oh, and deb - it's gotten me into trouble in foreign countries, too! lol!)
"I feel ridiculous," Jack grumbled, looking down at himself.
"You? What about me? I look like a peacock!" Daniel complained.
Jack could see his point. Where Jack's outfit of embroidered satin was done in shades ranging from the silver of his loose-fitting pants to the black of his long coat, Daniel's was not. His friend's outfit was a riot of color - dark teal pants combined with a vibrant purple shirt to be topped with a rich blue coat. But, ridiculous as Daniel thought he might appear, Jack had to admit that the clothing suited the younger man. Once again he was reminded why women all over the galaxy wanted to get their hands on his young friend.
"But, Daniel," Jack simpered, fluttering his lashes at the other man. "The outfit brings out the lovely color of your eyes."
He clasped his hands his chest and rolled his eyes theatrically as the archaeologist glared at him. Score one for me, Jack thought. If looks could kill...
"Lady's light, you're a handsome pair."
Jack and Daniel turned to find Bride standing in the doorway, staring at them appreciatively. Jack felt the heat rising in his cheeks again. For cryin' out loud! He'd blushed more already on this trip than he had since he was a pre-teen.
"Where's Ariana?" Daniel blurted, obviously as uncomfortable as Jack.
Bride smiled. Turning towards the dressing area she called, "Come out, Lady, so that your fearìn can see my handiwork."
Ariana slowly entered the room.
"Whoa," breathed Daniel.
"Ditto..." said Jack, just as awestruck.
The anthropologist was clad in a full-length sleeveless gown done in a brilliant scarlet. Thin gold cords wrapped across her midriff, molding the silky material to her curves, and they caught tantalizing glimpses of her long legs through high slits in the flowing skirts. Gold combs studded with sparkling red gems held her sable curls on top of her head and matching earrings dangled from her ears.
Ariana smiled shyly. "Thank you for the votes of approval."
"Now," Bride said, clapping her hands together and startling them from their reveries, "there is not much time left. Your lady has informed me that the Taur'i do not wear tattoos as we do, but that is easily fixed. It would be most unseemly for you to appear in public unmarked."
As she bustled back to the dressing area, Jack raised his eyebrows at Daniel. "Unseemly? They really like that word, don't they?" he whispered. Daniel grinned at him and he heard Ariana giggle softly as Bride returned, carrying a small jar and paintbrush.
"This is ichor. It is a component of the ink used to create our tattoos and we use it as a paint to retouch tattoos that have faded over time. What symbol shall we use to represent your house?" She looked at them expectantly.
"What about the gate symbol for Earth?" Daniel asked, reaching for his discarded uniform jacket and showing it to Bride.
"A simple design, but it will have to suffice" the woman mused.
"There," Bride sat back and admired her handiwork.
Jack looked at the intricate black design now decorating his right wrist. Bride had taken the gate symbol for Earth and connected three of them using an intricate knotwork pattern so that it appeared as if a three-pointed star graced his wrist. He had endured Daniel's lecture on the meaning of using three of the same symbol to represent the completeness of birth, life and death with an atypical stoicism. Jack actually found the topic pretty interesting - not that he'd ever let Daniel know that.
Bride screwed the lid shut on the jar of ichor. "Once the ichor has dried, it will take many days to fade. I will leave this for you to use if you have need. Your escorts should be here soon."
Ariana touched the older woman on the shoulder. "Thank you, Bride. You've been an immense help."
"I didn't really do is for you, meistres. My Etain is a good lady and would one day make a good queen. If she is able to help Lady Ianna make a successful alliance with your people, it will strengthen her position at court. She has been fighting against her mother's reputation for too long."
"We understand, Bride," Ariana assured her. "You serve your lady well."
Bride smiled. "I practically raised the poor girl after her father... was killed. Epona has always been more interested in collecting men than in being a mother or ruling her people. She's evil, that one is. I'd watch her, Lady, if I were you. She'll be wanting your Daniel the minute she lays eyes on him, and Epona's not used to being thwarted, foreign dignitaries or no."
Ariana traded a troubled glance with Jack, while Daniel merely looked flustered. Jack silently promised himself that he would keep a close eye on the archaeologist until they left this place.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door of their suite. Bride bustled off to answer it and ushered Myrddin and Etain into the sitting room. The two young people were also garbed in evening wear - Myrddin in scarlet and black, Etain in a blue gown similar to Ariana's that set off her red-gold hair to perfection. After thanking Bride a second time, they followed their escorts from their rooms.
As they walked through the corridors of the caislean, Daniel leaned towards Ariana. "Did you see the bracelets Myrddin and Etain were wearing?"
Ariana nodded. "Obviously the sigil of their houses. Avalorans must not get tattooed until either they come of age or marry."
"Or take a concubine," Jack interjected with a grin.
Daniel rolled his eyes. "That's true, I suppose. They've kept to the traditional Celtic symbology, too. The dragon for the royal family and the horse for Etain's."
"Of course! Epona - the name can't just be coincidence," replied Ariana.
"Huh?" Jack asked
"Epona was a goddess in the Celtic pantheon who was usually associated with the horse," Daniel answered.
Before Daniel could continue his lecture, they noticed that Myrddin and Etain had stopped in front of a set of large double doors flanked by armed guards. Etain nodded to one of the guards who flung the doors wide, revealing a great hall. A huge fireplace took up most of one wall and tables were set in u-shape around it. Men and women garbed in bright colors clustered in the open space between the tables, gossiping over drinks. They fell silent at the entrance of the visitors.
Etain and Myrddin led their guests to the high table, the throng parting before them. The small group of people standing before the high table waited for them in silence. A regal blonde woman whom Ariana assumed to be the queen stood before them. A beaming Beacan and a handsome dark haired man who bore a striking resemblance to Myrddin stood on either side of her. Etain paused before the queen and bowed her head.
"My Queen, may I present the visitors of the Taur'i - Lady-Doctor Ariana Farrell and her fearìn, Colonel Jack O'Neill and Dr. Daniel Jackson."
Ariana bowed her head and noticed that Jack and Daniel had done the same. She smiled at the queen and addressed her. "Lady, it is a great honor to meet you. I bring you greetings from the leaders of my world and a wish that our two peoples may become great friends."
The queen nodded in acknowledgment of the greeting. "That is my wish as well, Lady Ariana. You have already met my children, please let me make you known to my consort and the commander of my armies, Padraig mab Aelwen le Conan."
Padraig stepped forward to clasp Ariana's hand in his own and bowed. He gave her a devastating smile and said in a low voice, "Well met, my lady. It appears that my sons did not exaggerate your charms - you are indeed lovely." His green eyes twinkled at the sudden blushes that rose on his sons' faces.
"Padraig! Stop it - you're embarrassing the boys," the queen admonished. Padraig grinned at his mate unabashedly and Ariana was struck by the open affection between them. Theirs was obviously not just a marriage of state.
"Come, Lady Ariana," said the queen. "Let me introduce you to the ladies of my court before the feast begins. I am certain that the men will excuse us."