Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG-1 or anything associated with the coolness that is Stargate. I'm just writing this for entertainment purposes and in the hopes that there is some talent scout out there who might actually make an episode out of one of my stories! Ok, just kidding…
Chapter 3: The Prophecy
The Elders' Hall rose up before Jonas's eyes majestically, the walls of the large cabin painted with images that could have only been form their past. Men and women fought back others in the armor of jaffa warriors. The main panel, however, depicted the turning point in their war against the Goa'uld. A woman with brilliant red hair was grappling another who was unmistakably Nirrti. But the defending woman looked familiar, as well.
The defender looked very much like Cetaesa. Jonas leaned towards the huntress.
"I thought you said that you weren't alive back when your people defeated Nirrti," he stated, nodding towards the canvas painting. Cetaesa looked at it and chuckled softly.
"That is not me, Jonas," she told him. "That, however, is my ancestor. Her name was Celani. The Elders believe that I am the reincarnation of the Great Defender because of my remarkable resemblance. But I have my doubts." Jonas could feel discomfort radiating off of her in waves and was shocked to see her eyes become haunted, as if she were remembering something she thought she'd forgotten long ago.
"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," he apologized. "I had no idea it was such a sensitive subject." Cetaesa gave him a wan smile in return.
"Worry not, Jonas Quinn," she answered. "It is something I will eventually have to cope with. Do not trouble yourself."
Again, Jonas felt her discomfort, but now it was shot through with fine lines of emotional pain. Whatever her connection to this Celani woman, she did not like it, and she had not yet found a way to deal with it. Jonas fought down the urge to reach out to her and offer her comfort. He forced himself to stand there and watch as she fought an emotional battle within herself. After a few moments, she regained her composure, and stood up straight.
"Come with me," she commanded in her silk over steel voice. "The Elders await." With a purposeful stride, she led SG-1 into the large cabin.
Inside, a fire was burning in a large, wide mouthed bowl of shiny metal. Smoke curled up from the bowl and wafted towards a hole in the ceiling where the daylight poured in. Just beyond the dancing fire sat 5 people- 3 men, 2 women, all of them with silver hair. Gracefully, Cetaesa dropped to one knee and bowed her head.
"Elders," she intoned respectfully. "I have brought you the strangers who came through the chapa'ai." One of the old men smiled and held her hand out to her.
"You, as always, have served us well, Cetaesa," he stated in a voice like rustling leaves.
"Pah!" another man interjected. "She is too concerned, as usual, with her place in the Prophecy to provide us with more than mediocre service." Cetaesa's head came up, and even Jonas could tell that the light of anger burned like jade fire in her eyes.
"Oh, hush, you old bat," one of the women, a kindly looking dame with her silvery hair in a wrist- thick braid, scolded. "Cetaesa has been nothing short of a faithful daughter to us all. And you would be wise to remember her place in the Prophecy, as well." The old woman beamed at the young huntress, who cringed away slightly. "She will save us all, she will. Just like her ancestor Celani."
"Rise, Cetaesa," the second woman, a bitter looking old lady, ordered. "You may wait outside for your new friends." Stiffly, Cetaesa climbed to her feet. She bowed perfunctorily at the waist, and turned on her heel, marching out. She tried to storm out past Jonas, but he reached out a hand and caught her shoulder. She paused for just a second, and grabbed his offered hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, letting him know silently that she would be all right. She released his hand and walked out of the tent, her temper cooled a bit.
"So," the kindly old woman asked, "you are the travelers who came through the chapa'ai?" She smiled at them all, and motioned for them to sit. "I am called Nauru, and I am the High Elder of the White Tiger Tribe." Jonas gratefully sank down on the floor into a comfortable sitting position.
"My name is Jonas Quinn," he began. "These are Colonel Jack O'Neill-"
"I'm the… head boss guy," Jack interrupted, waving his hand. Jonas resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and motioned towards Sam.
"That is Major Samantha Carter," he stated. Then he motioned to the jaffa. "And that is Teal'c." The bitter old man stiffened in his seat.
"Jaffa," he breathed.
"First Prime of Apophis," whispered the sour old lady. Nauru smiled at Teal'c.
"Shol'dam," she added. "Betrayer of Apophis and the Goa'uld. Be welcome among us." Teal'c smiled, which he rarely did, and nodded his head.
"Um, if it's not too much to ask," Jonas put in, "we came here to forge an alliance with you against the Goa'uld." Nauru raised her hand, silencing him.
"Yes, Jonas Quinn, so Cetaesa has told us," she assured him. "It was written in the Prophecy that you would come here." Jack, of course, was the first one to answer up.
"Prophecy?" he asked. "Ya mean you knew we were coming here?" Nauru smiled and laughed lightly.
"Of course, colonel," she admitted. "We know everything that is going to happen for the next several centuries. We knew some time ago that four strangers were going to come through the chapa'ai, but they would not be our enemies." He smile faded and her voice grew solemn. "We also know that, though unintentional, you will lead our enemies back to this place. The Goa'uld will return." Jonas, keeping his thoughts to himself up until now, finally began to put things together.
"So that's Cetaesa's role in the Prophecy," he said. "She's going to drive off the Goa'uld." Nauru's eyes widened, and seem to fill with sorrow.
"I'm afraid not, Jonas Quinn," she disagreed. "Cetaesa is going to die at the hands of our enemies. Her death is going to lead you to the Goa'uld."
To be continued…