Most of the Kingdom had gathered in the city for the wedding. Most were curious about this beautiful bride the Prince was going to marry.
In her room Teyla felt ugly, she wore the purple dress. She hoped John would be able to keep his promise. Last night Dr Elizabeth McKay had come through the gate at her husband's request, as they weren't allowed to leave the planet. The servants had come to collect her for the ceremony to begin.
As Teyla stood at the back of the throne room she saw John standing with Rodney, Carson and Liz. They had decided not to arouse suspicions by dressing smartly. Liz wore a smart trouser suit, Carson and Rodney both wore tuxes, and lastly John wore his Dress Blues. John and Carson looked at each other smirking.
Teyla walked past them just as she reached a smiling Troy, she heard a distinctive voice yell.
"In dubium vocāre!" Teyla had no idea what this meant but it couldn't be that good for the Prince as he grew angry. At Troy's anger she found herself smiling.
"Kill him!" He ordered the guards.
"Son you have to respect tradition. He has challenged you! You can't deny the challenge." Malinak told his son. Teyla stepped away from him. "Teyla this challenge is to the death. Reject the challenge and marry my son. If he dies you won't be able to love him." Teyla gave a pause thinking the challenge through.
"What am I supposed to do?" John asked Liz.
"Go up there. Sort this out." Rodney gave John a 'gentle' shove towards Teyla. Teyla watched as John came towards her, she grinned.
"John with this challenge you could die." She told him.
"I won't."
"John…" She tried to reason with him.
"Trust me Teyla. I won't die. I promised you I would stop this and I will." Teyla conceded to John.
"I accept this mans challenge." The King and Prince grew angry, she leant in and whispered to John, "If he grows angry his defences will weaken and he will tire sooner." John nodded. He pulled off his jacket and wrapped it round Teyla's shoulders. "I thought you wearing your dress uniform would be too good to be true." Underneath he wore the black shirt he loved. As John moved to take position opposite Troy, Teyla grabbed his arm again. "Promise to survive."
"I promise." John kissed her; the crowd finally understood that the Prince had tried to tear these soul mates apart. As he broke the kiss Teyla brushed his cheek with her hand.
"I like the way you promise."
"I thought you would." He grinned.
Sheppard was handed a sword, as was Troy. He stood opposite the Prince. The King was annoyed with this challenge.
"This challenge has not been used for more that 20 generations. The fight is to win the hand of Teyla. Begin!" The Prince started to circle John. When he lashed out John had some disadvantage by not having handled a sword before but they were like Bantos and hopefully his losing streak wouldn't show.
John obviously had learned something because he easily parried the Princes blows. The Prince was a weak fighter. So far all John had to do was win, but he had a feeling the Prince had a trick up his sleeve.
Unfortunately for John the Prince had managed to knock his sword out of his hand. The swords skidded across the floor and under the thrones. Trying to avoid the blows John tripped and fell.
"John!" He heard Teyla scream as Troy prepared to plunge his sword through John's heart. John suddenly made a swatting gesture with his arm at the Prince. Unfortunately for John his hand didn't connect, but instead Troy was flung against a wall. "John?" Teyla asked as John looked at his hand. Troy advanced towards him again. Sheppard threw his hand forward in a pushing motion and Troy was flung back against the wall. The King started to grow scared of the power that John harnessed - the previously unknown power. Troy became angry at John's ability and immediately tried to retaliate.
"Try not using your arms!" Liz and Rodney yelled. John concentrated and threw Troy back without waving his hand.
"I don't want to kill you!" He called.
"If you won't kill me and I obviously can't kill you there is only one option left." Troy picked up his sword and moved in the opposite direction to John and towards Teyla.
"NO!" John yelled as Troy managed to grab Teyla's wrist. Everything that happened next was a blur the only clear thing was Troy plunging his dagger right through Teyla's stomach.
John flung Troy against a wall. A crunch was heard as one of Troy's legs were broken. John ran towards Teyla and held her. Tears started to make their way down his cheeks.
"Come on Teyla you're gonna be okay. Teyla." John hugged her body. Carson approached. "You can't leave me Teyla I love you." Teyla rested her hand on his cheek he leaned into her touch.
"I love…you too…John!" She gasped out.
"Teyla hold on. We've gotta tell our grandkids about how grandpa tried to get grandma in trouble with Zelenka for stealing his movies."
"John…it hurts."
"I know it does. But you're gonna be okay." Suddenly Teyla began to shake, and then she stopped. John buried his head in Teyla's neck and cried.
TBC