AN/ Well, my muse finally came back after an extended vacation. My beta, Verb - bless her Canadian heart, always trying to change my American spelling - has beta'd this and has the next chapter. I've also got most of the following one written, so I should get them up regularly from now on. Thanks for waiting!

True to her word, Ashling didn't complain about the forced delay to Daniel, although he did notice several irritated glares directed at him. He smiled to himself and just carried on with the chores he'd been assigned around the village. He spent two days helping Tomas and his sons to dig a foundation for another room addition to the family's hut. It seems that Neala was expecting another child and they simply needed more room.

On the morning of the third day, Daniel and Ashling prepared to leave for the capital city of Aeire, Droichead Átha. Neala gave her niece a neck-breaking hug, then turned to pull Daniel into her embrace as well.

"May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you're going and the insight to know when you're going too far." Neala blessed them with a traditional Aeire parting, knowing that Ashling would need the reminder to take care of herself. "Send word as soon as you're able."

Tomas faced Daniel when Neala released him. "I'd go with you if I could, but my responsibility is here, with my family. However, if you find you need a strong arm, you've but to just send word and I'll be there with the strapping young men of the village." He clapped Daniel on the shoulder and nodded his good-byes.

Daniel and Ashling left with enough supplies for the three-day walk. Daniel took her hand and let her lead him toward her home.

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What would normally have been a two-day hike, took them three days. Daniel made Ashling rest frequently and they stopped each night before it became totally dark. The end of the third day brought them to the top of a hill overlooking their goal in the valley below. In the fading light, Ashling pointed out her home and the major buildings of the town. She told him where the guards were most likely stationed and what she thought would be the quickest way to the castle, without being stopped by Iollan's men.

Daniel turned from the valley below to face Ashling. "You know, it might be a better idea to just walk through the middle of town and let the people see you. According to Tomas, they've been told that you're dead. If they see you and see that you're very pregnant, the chances are good that they'll come to your aide in a fight against Iollan."

Ashling turned sorrow filled eyes towards her husband. "I never thought I'd have to fight for my birthright with my brother. Daniel, this is so hard to do."

Daniel slid an arm over her shoulders and pulled her in for a hug. "I know. I know."

She stayed in the comfort of his hug for a few moments and then slowly pulled back. "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long and strange day."

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Daniel was right. By the time they'd entered town the next morning, Ashling was being followed by several dozen cheering people. As they neared the only stone building in town, Ashling's home, the streets were lined with curious people who wanted to see if the rumors of her return were true. When they reached the castle they found Ashling's brother, Iollan, and a dozen of his men waiting at the entrance gate for them.

Daniel and Ashling stopped about fifteen feet in front of Iollan. He stood, a masculine version of his sister, with his feet spread and his arms crossed, clearly defiant. Daniel moved in front of Ashling, but she stepped from behind him to face her brother while the town's people watched.

"Iollan. I see that you are well."

"And I see that you've found yourself a dupe to get you with child so you can take the crown from me." His face was as cold as his tone of voice.

"Last I heard, our father was still Toinn Bhinse an Rí. I've come, with my husband, to claim my birthright." Ashling made an effort to keep her voice steady and calm. Nothing got Iollan's back up faster than a challenge.

Iollan was very aware that the people of the town were watching their every move. He wanted nothing more than to give a nod of his head and have Ashling captured by his men, but he knew that would lead to a rebellion against his control. He hesitated briefly and then stepped to one side, indicating with a wave of his hand that Ashling and Daniel could enter.

Daniel took a hold of Ashling's hand as they entered the castle together with Iollan's men following. Ashling led Daniel to the great hall. Iollan walked past them and sat in the central chair on the dais. Ashling's eyes flew open wide at the open manner in which her brother flaunted his usurpation of their father's place.

"So, you're not even trying to pretend that Father is still ruling." Her eyes flashed in unrestrained anger.

"Father has taken to his bed and is no longer capable of ruling." Iollan's smirk radiated the confidence he felt in his position.

"I would like to see him."

"In due time, a chroí deirfiúr mhór. First come have some refreshment and introduce me to your, um – friend."

Daniel could hear the quotation marks surround the word friend. Iollan was clearly implying that Ashling was not legally married. He wanted to step up on the dais and plant a fist in the middle of Iollan's nose. Ashling placed a restraining hand on Daniel's arm, knowing her husband well enough to know that he would want to defend her. She also knew Iollan well enough to know that he was baiting Daniel, hoping for an excuse to have him thrown into a cell.

"Ah, Iollan, forgive me for my poor manners. This is Daniel Jackson, my husband. We were married last summer in the village of our Aintin Neala. The whole village was there, if you require proof of a legal marriage." She turned to Daniel. "Husband, this is my younger brother, Iollan. He has been kind enough to help my father rule during my absence. But now that I'm back, I can relieve him of his burden."

Iollan gripped the arm rests of his chair so hard that Daniel could see his knuckles turn white with the fury that he was trying to conceal. Daniel folded his arms across his chest and decided not to interfere. Ashling seemed to be doing well in handling her brother.

Earth

Sam tossed her keys onto the table next to her door as she headed for the phone in her office. She punched speed dial number 2 and waited for Jack to answer.

"O'Neill."

"Sir, it's Carter. I need to speak to you about Daniel. Face-to-face. When's the next time you're coming out here?"

"Hello, Carter. Yes, I'm well. Thanks for asking. How are you?"

Sam sighed, knowing that the fastest way to get him back on track was to play along. "I'm glad you're well. I'm doing fine, thank you. Anything new in your life since we spoke last?"

"Nope, everything's the same. Same ol' job. Same ol' house. Same ol' bureaucrats." Jack grinned, knowing that she was barely biting back a few words of irritation. She was just so easy to annoy. "So. I understand you want to see me."

"Yes, sir. I have an idea about how we might be able to locate Daniel and I need your help. It's a little, um…, unorthodox, so I'd prefer speaking in person rather than on the phone or by email." Sam chewed on her lower lip, waiting for his response.

Jack immediately understood that Carter's "unorthodox" was at the least against regulations. "I'm scheduled for a meeting with Landry on Monday, but I can catch a ride on Saturday. Can you wait that long?"

Sam mentally sighed, but knew there was nothing that could be done. "That's fine, sir. Call me when you get in and I'll come pick you up at Peterson."

"Okay. Is Teal'c on Earth? I thought since I was going to be around for a couple of days maybe we could all go out to O'Malley's for dinner."

"He's due back from Chulak on Friday. I'm sure he'd like to see you again." Sam hesitated for a moment. "He'll probably want to be part of this search for Daniel anyway, so I can just talk to both of you together."

"What about Mitchell?"

"Well, sir, I think it would be better for him if we just left him out of this."

Definitely and seriously against regulations. "Great. See you in a couple of days, Carter."

"Good-bye, sir."

Sam held the phone for a moment before she set it back down. What she had in mind could get them all arrested.

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a chroí deirfiúr mhór – my dear older sister