When they entered the large double doors of the building, Daniel looked up at the pillars as he passed. Noting the inscription on the smooth surface, he cursed under his breath; in all the frantic activity of getting ready, he had not had the chance to tell everyone what he had discovered about the writings at the ruins. Before the night was out, he would have to do just that, for there were some very interesting prophecies written on the old stone pillars.
Chapter 9 – Pomp and Circumstance
Janet rushed through the doorway of the Great Hall, her dark blue gown billowing around her ankles as she hurried in to find her friends. She had spent the last few hours touring the medical facilities here on Moval and had completely lost track of time. The Healer, Trianna, had tried to urge her to leave sooner so that she would not miss any of the celebration, but Janet had been intent on studying the healing methods and medicines used by the Makesh. And so, once again, she found herself late for an official function.
Knowing that her friends were well aware of her propensity to get caught up in her work, Janet slowed her pace and allowed herself to catch her breath. Once inside the large building, she could hear the voices of many people just down the corridor, so knew she was headed in the right direction. It wouldn't do for her to show up all out of breath now, would it?
Janet stopped beside the ornate doors that were opened wide to receive villagers and guest alike to the ceremony. She straightened the gown that had been lent to her, ran her fingers through her now loose hair, then stepped inside. Immediately, her eyes went to the front of the room where the guests of honor were seated. On a raised platform in front of the crowd, Jack and Sam sat at the center of a large table, JJ resting comfortably on Jack's lap and taking in the scenery with curious eyes. Teal'c and Daniel sat to Jack's right, Jacob to Sam's left. An empty seat was waiting for her next to Jacob Carter. At either end of the table sat the High Chancellor and his wife, both talking animatedly with those visitors closest to them. Heaving a sigh of relief that the actual feast had yet to begin, Janet made her way across the floor and joined her friends.
Everyone smiled in greeting as Janet came to join them at the table, Daniel giving her an extra warm smile and a quick wink. Janet returned his smile and sat down, immediately getting drawn into conversation with Jacob, Sam and Shakena.
More villagers now began to file into the hall and the noise level rose considerably. JJ, unused to such a din and so many people at once, watched with wide eyes at the movement around him. He jumped and turned his head in surprise when he heard a loud gong sound from behind him. Jack held the little boy a bit tighter and turned as well, preparing himself for whatever was going to happen next.
The High Chancellor stood up and the room quickly quieted down as he raised his hands to speak. "We have gathered today, in our Great Hall, to share in the Scared Feast of Honor, honoring a man who has helped us form an alliance with a race who possess great power and ability. The Asgard, as foretold by the prophecies on the pillars of the temple, will provide us with protection against the ones who one day wish to destroy us."
At this comment, Jack turned to Daniel with a questioning glance. Under his breath, he muttered, "Prophecies about the Asgard?"
Daniel nodded, then whispered back, "That's what I was trying to tell you earlier."
Before Jack could question him further, he felt a nudge from Sam, indicating that he should be quiet as the High Chancellor was still speaking.
"A man of great influence himself, Ambassador O'Neill has been instrumental in bringing about this important alliance. We honor him today, as well as his mate, Colonel Samantha Carter, and his son, JJ. We bestow upon them the honor and respect we, as a people, feel for them this day." At this comment, all of the villages of Moval stood as one and bowed low to those seated on the dias. Jack and Sam looked uncomfortably at each other and were relieved once the villagers all sat down.
Once again, the gong rang out and the High Chancellor spoke. "And now, in accordance with our ceremony, we will partake of the Sacred Feast." He clapped his hands twice and servers came from the kitchens, bearing platters filled with a variety of aromatic foods.
"Now this is more like it," Jack murmured appreciatively as platters of food were set before him. He carefully selected items that appeared similar to what they would eat on Earth, and asked Sam for her opinion before offering small pieces of the fruits and bread to JJ. The little boy hungrily devoured everything that was set before him, much like his father and his Uncle Teal'c.
The celebration lasted several hours, for aside from all of the delicacies native to the Makesh people, entertainment was provided as well. Women wearing colorful, flowing gowns danced to the mesmerizing music played by several of the men. A combination of instruments was played: some wind instruments similar to flutes, and some stringed instruments. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performance put on by a group of the younger children. They sang songs and danced to a more lively tune that was played for them.
Amidst all the revelry, Beroni stood off to the side, watching the guests of honor with an interest that seemed out of place for this celebration. At one point, he caught the eye of the High Chancellor, who frowned at him and gave a small shake of his head. Beroni disappeared from sight after the interchange, but remained in a corner of the room where he could not be noticed with ease. Malem observed this brief interchange from his place at one of the tables near the dias. His stomach clenched with concern at what he had witnessed: surely the High Chancellor and Beroni would not do anything that could mar the Sacred Feast of Honor?
JJ lasted longer than either Jack or Sam had expected. The bright outfits, engaging music, and different foods all conspired to hold his attention throughout most of the ceremony. But by 2100 hours, Earth time, his attention began to falter; soon JJ began to squirm and whimper. And like any child under the age of a year, those whimpers soon escalated into full-fledged cries.
Shakena looked to Sam with alarm, "Is something wrong with your son, Colonel Carter? Did the food not settle with him?"
Sam rose, taking JJ from Jack's lap and rocking back and forth slightly as she stood with him on the dias. "No, Shakena. JJ is just tired. It's past his bedtime and all this stimulation has tired him out. I'm afraid I will have to return to our quarters and put him down for the night." She ran her hand soothingly up and down JJ's back while she murmured softly to him. The reassuring comfort of his mother's arms helped ease his distress for a little while and JJ quieted down, although he still let out an occasional whimper, just to let everyone know he was not pleased.
Jack stood as well and ran his hand over JJ's hair in a similar show of comfort. "I'll come with you, Sam. It's been a long evening and we can all use some rest."
The High Chancellor stepped forward. "Please, Ambassador. You must remain for the final portion of our ceremony. We will present to you a scroll which contains the history of our people. It is a symbolic gesture of accepting you as one of our own."
Jack grimaced before controlling his features and turning to the man behind him. "Could Daniel stand in for me? He is, after all, our resident expert on cultures and history. He absolutely loves that stuff, don't you Danny?"
Before Daniel could respond, the High Chancellor stated, "While we hold Dr. Jackson in the highest regard, the symbolism of the ceremony will be lost if you do not accept the scroll. Please Ambassador, it will only take fifteen more minutes, then you will be free to rejoin your wife in your quarters."
Jack glanced at Sam, whose attention was diverted by her unhappy son. JJ's fussing was beginning in earnest; his back arching in his frustration and exhaustion. Sighing with resignation, Jack conceded, "All right. I'll stay. But only until after this little presentation of yours, High Chancellor. Then I will join my family."
"I will return with Colonel Carter and Jonathon Jacob," Teal'c informed the small group. "They will return safely to our accommodations, O'Neill."
"I'll return as well," Jacob added. "Sam may need a bit of help," he noted dryly as he watched his daughter struggle with JJ. Jack nodded thankfully to them both before giving his son a brief kiss on the head.
With a quick round of good-byes, Sam, JJ, Teal'c and Jacob got ready to leave the celebration and return to their living. Teal'c took JJ from Sam's arms as they stepped off the dias. The change in positions helped quiet the little boy down and he peered over Teal'c's shoulder, smiling at his father as they left the room.
Jack sighed once again and returned to his seat, hoping this would be over soon so he could rejoin Sam and JJ. He absolutley hated being away from them while they were on this planet.Due to hiscontemplation of recent events, Jackdidn't notice the small nod that the High Chancellor gave to the man hiding in the shadows near the back of the great hall.
Once they reached the smaller adobe house, Sam took JJ from Teal'c and followed her father into the main room. Lamps had been lit in their absence, giving the room a warm, inviting glow. While Teal'c checked all of the rooms, Jacob went and prepared a bottle for JJ. They had brought along their own water supply and formula, just so they wouldn't have to worry about having a fresh supply for JJ.
Sam gratefully accepted the bottle from her father and sank into one of the large, soft chairs that adorned the main room. JJ immediately latched onto the bottle, sucking greedily. The comforting feel of warm milk and his mother's arms had him quickly closing his eyes.
"All is clear, Colonel Carter," Teal'c stated as he came back into the room. "I have secured the window intoyour room.Nothing will be able to leave or enter the through that portal."
"Thanks, Teal'c," Sam said tiredly. "But I really don't think anything is going to happen. If the Makesh had any ulterior motives, surely something would have happened by now."
"Never the less, I will continue in my duties as guard for both you and JJ until we return to the SGC." His tone was firm and resolute. Sam shared a smile with her father; they both knew how tenacious Teal'c could be.
"Sam, do you think you'll have a few minutes after you get JJ down to help with me something? I brought along that scanner and have replaced a few parts with some Tok'ra technology. I just need some help in testing it; see if they are compatible or not."
"Sure Dad, I'd be happy to look at it," Sam smiled. "But first, I'd better get this little guy ready for bed." Sam leaned over and kissed JJ on the head as she removed the almost empty bottle from his lips. He opened his eyes briefly before snuggling closer into her warmth. All of the excitement had worn him out and he was minutes from a deep sleep.
Sam stood up, placing the bottle on the table in front of her. "I'll be back out in a few minutes, guys."
"You need any help?" Jacob offered. It had been a long time, but he could certainly help get his grandson to bed.
"No thanks, Dad. I'll just be a minute." She left the room, carrying her sleeping son with her.
Sam gently laid JJ on the large bed and began to take off the little leggings so that she could change his diaper before putting him down for the night. She smiled affectionately as his little lips smacked together in his sleep. Obviously, he was still imagining he was drinking his night time bottle! Once he had a fresh diaper on, Sam took a fuzzy green sleeper out of her pack and laid it on the bed next to him. This was going to be the tricky part, she thought to herself.
Gently, Sam eased the tunic over JJ's head, being careful not to jostle him too much and wake him up. She knew if he woke up now, it would be difficult to get him back to sleep once again. Finally, the tunic was off and lying on the bed next to the leggings. Sam frowned as she looked down at JJ and her eyes took in the gift from the Makesh. The green and blue necklace, which she had kept carefully tucked under JJ's tunic the entire evening, appeared to be giving off a slight glow. Sam bent forward to get a closer look; sure enough, the necklace was glowing against the white of JJ's undershirt. Glancing down quickly at her chest, Sam's eyes widened in surprise to see her blue necklace take on an ethereal glow of its own.
In the fraction of an instant that it took her brain to register and sift through the possible ramifications of the glowing necklaces, Sam attempted to do several things at once. She picked JJ up in her arms, called out a rather frantic, "Dad!" and tried to take the necklace off of JJ. Before she could complete this last, crucial task, the room was engulfed in a blinding greenish blue light, taking both Sam and JJ from the room in an instant.
A/N: Well, nothing blew up at least! Thanks for your helpful comments and reviews. I hope to not leave you hanging too long but...