Betrothal

Chapter 7

Teyla paced within the confines of the large chamber. A huge bed, covered with soft, silken linens, occupied most of the space. Two chairs and a mirror took up one wall, while the other contained a window with a view of the countryside. She was on the top-most floor of the manor house, nearly forty feet from the ground, and escape out the window was impossible.

Nearly five hours had passed since her encounter with Keir. Guards were posted at her door, and she had been unable to determine where her friends were being held. She had been relieved to see that they were unharmed, for she knew how brutal Keir could be when angered. In truth, she had worried the most for Ronon Dex; his temperament was unpredictable and Teyla was still unsure how he would react in different situations. She had feared that the big runner would have been hurt or even killed.

Teyla resumed her pacing, annoyed at the gown that tangled itself around her legs. Keir had sent two maids a short time ago, and they had insisted that she wear the dress. Teyla had attempted to speak to the two women, but a guard had also entered the chamber, and curtly ordered that there was to be no talking.

Teyla stepped back as the door swung open. A guard looked in, gesturing for her to follow him. Swallowing hard, she gave him a cold look, then lifted the train of the dress and left the room. In short time, they had returned to the antechamber, and Teyla was dismayed to see only Keir in the room. She had been hoping that he would make this wedding some kind of extravaganza, helping to create a diversion.

"Teyla. You look lovely," Keir's voice was harsh, his eyes glittering with lust. Teyla managed to put a smile on her face, and she approached the dais. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest as he reached out to take her hand.

"You call this wedding, Keir?" Teyla said disdainfully. "No priest, no music, no guests? Do I have to do everything?" She yanked her hand from his, then swung around, turning her back on the man. She heard his sharp intake of breath, then he grabbed her arm, turning her face to him.

"You dare to turn your back on me?" he bellowed. She stood firm, her face betraying none of the fear that raced through her. He released her arm, then clapped his hands together. Immediately, the entry door opened and the three SGA-1 members were pushed roughly into the room.

"Your guests, my lady," Keir sneered at her. Teyla glared back, although inside she was secretly relieved. She reached up and rubbed at her neck, and, under her skin, she felt a small click. Now all she needed was some time.

"Thank you, my lord. Your kindness will not go unrewarded," Teyla replied, once again plastering a seductive look on her face. John and the others were watching her carefully, but she refrained from sending them any signal. Instead, she turned her full attention back to Keir.

"I offer you a wedding gift, my lady," Keir said. He walked casually over to the three prisoners, stopping next to Ronon. "You may choose one of these three to live."

Teyla gasped in horror as his words sank in.

"Of course, the survivor will become my slave, but still, he will live. Thanks to you. Now, choose." Keir removed his sword, gesturing at the guards to step back. He faced Teyla, idly swinging his sword in front of her.

Suddenly, he slashed at her, cutting a long furrow on one arm, and immediately, blood streamed down her arm. She jumped back from Keir, surprise and pain causing her to cry out.

"I am going to kill you," Ronon Dex's furious voice lashed out as he lunged for Keir. The guards yanked painfully on his chains, and he was brought up short.

Teyla stood, shaking, her mind reeling from pain. She watched in disbelief as Keir attacked her again with his sword, an evil grin plastered on his face. This time, however, she rolled away from him, then springing back to her feet.

She watched fury roll across his features.

"Very well," he spat. "They all die." Keir turned towards Ronon, raising his sword once again. The guards had moved forward, grabbing the prisoners' chains. Suddenly, Colonel Sheppard ducked down, his weight pulling his guard down with him. As the man fell, John rolled on top, and slammed a hard punch into the guard's face. Behind him, Rodney had grabbed his chains, and, using them as a weapon, swung them into the next guard, flooring the man.

Ronon had also moved, grabbing Keir's sword hand, and spinning it into the guard behind him. As the other two sentries ran into the room, Teyla came to life, running to intercept them. She met them both head on, using all her abilities as a warrior. Within seconds, one was unconscious on the floor. She grabbed his spear, using it to attack the other guard.

Ronon had managed to grab Keir's sword, but the man had twisted from Ronon's grasp. Now, with a roar, the First Minister ran across the room, intent on attacking Teyla. The chains on Ronon's feet slowed him down, and all he could do was shout a warning as Keir barreled into Teyla. Ronon watched as they rolled across the floor, Keir beating mercilessly at Teyla. The guard she had been fighting stood, shaking his head, then ran for the door, calling for reinforcements.

Teyla fought wildly, trying to ignore the pain Keir was inflicting. He was a skilled fighter, using his body to pin her as he rained punch after punch. Suddenly, he was pulled off her, and Rodney was there, frantically leaning down and calling her name. Dazed and hurt, she managed to blurt out that she was okay. She reached up and he took her hand. Unsteadily, she stood, leaning against the scientist.

Behind Rodney, Ronon had viciously yanked Keir off of Teyla. He threw the man to the floor, then marched over and lifted Keir up. His eyes burned as he wrapped his strong hands around Keir's neck.

John had stumbled to the door, launching himself at the one remaining guard. He knocked the man out, then hurried to the door, slamming the lock into place.

He hobbled to Teyla and Rodney, his face tight.

"Teyla. Are you alright?" He watched as she nodded her head. Her gaze was fixed on Keir's face, which was turning red as Ronon strangled him. John rushed to Ronon's side, grabbing at his arms.

"Ronon! Stop! We may need him!" John frantically pulled at Ronon, who ignored the Colonel. If anything, he tightened his grip, a satisfied smile crossing his face.

"Ronon! I'm ordering you to stop. He may be the only way we get out of here," John barked. The runner turned his gaze on to Sheppard, then, with a grunt of distaste, dropped the Caldronian leader. Keir lay on his back, his breath coming in harsh gasps and coughs.

John stared into Ronon's eyes for a moment, reassuring himself that the runner had control. Then he hurried to Teyla's side, his hand running up her shoulder. She looked badly beaten, leaning against McKay, and once more, he felt hot rage course through him. He silenced his emotions, focusing on the matter at hand.

"What's the plan, Teyla?" The words had hardly left John's mouth when the door crashed inward. Guards flowed into the room, and before Ronon could grab Keir, they had surrounded the team.

Keir's sergeant, Karcher, hurried to the First Minister's side, helping the coughing man to his feet. Keir yanked free of Karcher's grip, his hand massaging his throat. He lurched towards the SGA-1 team, his eyes focused on Teyla. His foot kicked at something, and Keir reached down and grabbed his sword.

"You bitch!" he snarled, but Teyla made no indication that she heard him. Blood was streaming down her arm, and dark bruises were appearing on her face. Her own breathing was harsh, and she believed that a rib might be broken. She let go of Rodney, standing tall, and ignoring the pain. She watched expressionlessly as Keir lowered his sword, his intent clear.

As Keir ran towards Teyla, his eyes crazed, she pushed Rodney into Ronon and spun away from Keir's attack. Using her body to shield John, she blocked Keir's lunge, feeling a piercing pain in her side. She distantly heard John call her name, but the roaring in her ears blocked out any other noise. She raced over to the unconscious guard, Keir's harsh breath urging her on. Reaching down, she grabbed at the knife in the guard's belt. Using the last of her strength, she turned, plunging the knife into Keir's chest.

Keir gasped in surprise, his eyes dropping to the knife protruding from his chest. Roaring in rage, he lunged at Teyla with his sword again.

Teyla knew she wouldn't be able to move quickly enough, and waited for the blade to stab her. The pain never came, though, when all of a sudden, an intense white light surrounded her. She felt the familiar prickling sensation as she was transformed into a matter stream, and she and the rest of the team were beamed up into the Daedelus.