Mitchell walked into the room that held her Jaffa, and felt a now familiar stab of guilt and grief at the reminder of the loss of Tao. She fought down the ache, though, and watched as the Jaffa assembled themselves, warned ahead of time that she was coming so that they wouldn't be caught off-guard. Nothing worse than being reviewed by your goddess after she'd caught you in your underwear, after all. Which had been the whole idea of sending a warning ahead of time.

Maybe they go commando…

The sting of loss was eased a little with that comment, and Melony hid her smile as easily as she hid her pain.

That's in the category of too much information.

You could ask Teal'c

Not a chance.

You could ask Teyla

She snorted, turning it into a cough to hide her mirth, but luckily none of the Jaffa noticed – or at least they didn't comment on it.

Melony walked up to the first rank of Jaffa, who were standing at what for them was attention – and was pretty impressive considering the amount of armor they were wearing. The only thing missing were their staff weapons and other weapons, which they weren't carrying just then.

She nodded to the first of them, signaling approval, and moved on to the others, carefully inspecting all of them. Not because she expected there to be a need, but because the Jaffa expected it of her – and she wanted things as normal as they could be with the Jaffa just then.

You're doing fine

She didn't answer him. Instead, she moved on to the next rank, and the next, until she'd carefully inspected all 300 Jaffa – minus the two that had been guarding the entrance to the room.

When she was finished, she turned her back on them and walked to the front of the room, just as Teal'c walked in and silently stood a few steps behind her. Not in the exact position of a First Prime, because they still hadn't completely finished that conversation, but in a spot of honor, because he deserved to be there with the other Jaffa. She turned to face them once more, not acknowledging Teal'c's arrival with anything more than a glance.

"You are a credit to your people, and your families," Talon told them, taking over but using words he and Melony had both agreed on. "What you have accomplished here was without a doubt one of the most important battles that has ever been waged, and I'm proud to be able to say that I know those who were brave enough to stand and fight to protect those in peril. People you didn't even know, but who will learn of you and your bravery – and will not fear you, but will always be grateful to you for what you have done and the sacrifice you were willing to make for them."

A sacrifice they had been willing to make, but one Mitchell had done her best to keep them from making. And had nearly succeeded.

The Jaffa listening straightened even more – as if it were possible – and their shoulders came back, their heads came up as they all but preened under her praise. But they didn't say anything. And Talon continued.

"The day after tomorrow, we'll be heading back – and all will hear of your deeds and valor, and of the enemy you helped to destroy. Today, however, we have one final task to complete."

She turned and headed for the door, and Teal'c took charge, gesturing at the assembled Jaffa to form up in lines, which they did immediately. Then they followed their goddess out of the door and down the hall to the Jumper bay.

OOOOOOOO

The day was sunny and bright, and the mainland was in full bloom. Flowers were blossoming everywhere, sharing their warm fragrances with the gentle wind that blew across the faces of those assembled, and the colors were vivid and cheerful. Far too cheerful for the purpose of the gathering.

The funeral pyre was mountainous, well-treated logs had been cut and stacked perfectly, and Tao's dead form had been dressed in full armor and laid gently to rest upon the summit. The Jaffa who were gathered to pay their final respects to one of their own who had fallen were joined by several others – mostly Atlanteans, although there were several Athosians as well, and Kale and Char had elected to come as well. While their presence might have been frowned upon by the Jaffa under normal circumstances, in this instance it wasn't. The Jaffa were well aware that Char was sporting bandages on his arms because of burns received while he was saving many of their lives, and if for no other reason, that more than made him a welcomed addition – and Kale as well.

The Light Ones were dressed in well-fitting clothing, dark blue instead of black – and even wore boots, which Melony might have wondered about if she hadn't had more on her mind just then. The humans who were military were in full dress uniforms – which were as sharp as if they'd been made only the week before, since there hadn't been a lot of use for formal wear in Atlantis thus far – and the scientists and the Athosians were dressed in muted colors; blacks and blues for the most part, out of respect for the soberness of the occasion.

Melony herself was dressed in full armor; armor that she'd never worn, because she didn't like the way it creaked when she moved, but which she'd always carried – just in case she'd needed it. It shone brilliant gold in the full sunlight, and several times the radiant gleam had caused people to shield their eyes for a moment when it was directed at them as she moved.

"She looks like a system lord…" Rodney said, softly, from his position between Weir and Sheppard.

"You doubted?" Elizabeth asked, watching as Mitchell walked up to a small fire that had been started off to the side of the pyre.

"No… it's just… she's a lot more imposing, now."

Especially since she looked about as stony-faced as any of them had ever seen her.

"Yeah."

They fell silent, watching as Mitchell picked up a burning branch, and held it high for the assembled Jaffa to see. Without saying anything, she tossed the branch onto the pyre, and the treated wood caught immediately. In only a matter of minutes the flames were so high that they couldn't see Tao's body at the top.

"Isn't she supposed to say something?" Carson asked, curiously. He'd been standing beside Daniel, with Jack on the other side, and Sam on the far side of Jack, supporting him as he tried to remain upright long enough for the ceremony.

"She just did," Daniel said, softly. "There's no greater honor to a Jaffa than having their funeral pyre lit by their god – their system lord. Whether she wants them to think it or not, Melony's their goddess, and she's just told the others that Tao was – and always will be – one of her favorites. Blessed among all other dead, and will be a great leader in their after-life."

No one responded to that, but it was plain they were all thinking about it as Mitchell stood to the side watching the pyre burn. After a few minutes of respectful silence the Jaffa began moving towards the Jumpers once more, telling the humans who were with them that the ceremony was over, but Melony didn't move. Consumed by her own guilt and anguish, she held her position, and none of them went over to talk to her, having been warned by Teal'c not to say anything to her until she spoke first – at least as long as the Jaffa were there.

So she was left alone – although Talon was, as he always was, right there with her.