Here is the final chapter…Enjoy!
Chapter Fifteen: Happily Ever After
The Athosian Priest took a deep breath before beginning the ceremony.
"All gathered here witness the joining of Lieutenant Colonel John Mathew Sheppard and our leader Teyla Emmagan!" He called out loudly for everyone to hear. "If anyone gathered here, no matter their origin know why these may not be joined proclaim it now!" Teyla closed her eyes and took a deep breath. A few mumblings were heard but no one said anything against them. She slowly opened her eyes and gazed into John's, immediately she relaxed.
"Told you it'd be okay!" He mouthed, she replied by grinning at him.
"Teyla Emmagen, leader of the Athosians, do you wish for this man to claim you? Do you wish for him to care for you? Do you wish to spend the rest of your life with him?" She paused just to annoy John more.
"Yes, I wish to be his."
"John Sheppard, of Earth and ruler of Hokalla, do you wish to claim this woman? Do you wish to care for her? Do you wish to spend the rest of your life with her?"
"Yes, I wish for her to be mine." The Athosian priest gestured for them to bow their heads. He held a hand over their heads.
"Ancestors of Earth; care for this couple who we entrust into your care. May they be blessed with many children and a long and fulfilling life together!" He chanted this three times, one for each planet substituting the names. "Our leader has asked to combine Earth elements into this ceremony, more specifically the exchanging of rings."
"You didn't!" John whispered into her ear.
"I did." She grinned. "All of Atlantis, Hokalla and Chaya will then realise we are married." John shuddered at her sharp tone when she mentioned Chaya.
"Even though this wedding completely disregards important Athosian and Atlantian customs, I have decided to allow them their request." John looked at Teyla and saw her eyes turn dark.
"This ceremony creates a new custom, I have apparently disregarded tradition by my willingness to marry a non-Athosian!" This time it was John's turn to say something.
"Everyone here are descended from the Ancients. Earth was their final home; Athos and Hokalla were their colonies. We are all related one way or another no matter where or when we were born! New traditions need to be formed, times have changed; now seems the exact place to start." The Hokallans in the crowd stood and started to clap at John's short and to the point answer. Slowly the clapping spread throughout the congregation. John had made his first speech as ruler over Hokalla and for the most part it went down pretty well; it earned him the respect of Hokalla and the Athosians. "And I don't know about you but I don't want to delay my own wedding any longer. So if you have anymore arguments or questions can you please save them until I'm married!" A few in the crowd started to laugh.
"TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH!" Someone yelled from nearby. John snapped his head round to look at the expedition but they all looked suspiciously innocent. The words of the Priest quickly brought him back to the wedding.
"Will you please take each others hands, repeat after me, with this ring I thee wed." John lifted Teyla's hand higher and slipped the ring on.
"With this ring I thee wed." Teyla repeat John's actions.
"With this ring I thee wed."
"May no one break this couple's bond of love!" John and Teyla looked at each other, knowing what was to come. "You may kiss…" Before the priest could finish John and Teyla were already kissing. A cheer was heard among the crowd.
While they were kissing Liz came and stood next to them.
"I present to you, after a long time in waiting, Mr and Mrs Sheppard!" The newlyweds beamed at everyone.
"Now any questions?" John asked. As he surveyed the room only one person had their hand raised. John looked slightly annoyed. "Yes Carson?"
"You two love breaking traditions don't you?" Everyone laughed at the comment knowing that it was totally true of John Sheppard.
Obviously the one tradition they followed to the letter was the tradition to ignore most other traditions just like another famous Stargate team, the team that gave them the reason these two soul mates from distant galaxies met.
The End (Finally)