Disclaimer: We don't own Stargate: Atlantis, but we do own a map of the Kingdoms of Old

A/N Tinuviel Undomiel: Sorry this took so long to get out, had a bit of writers block, but the fourth chapter will definatly come out soon. Shwier fans, I don't think you'll be dissapointed, Teyla/Ronon fans I KNOW you won't be dissapointed. Have fun.

A/N Nerwen Aldarion: Yes this chapter was fun to write, a lot of Teyla/Ronon fluff so I certaintly hope you guys enjoy, honestly I can't wait to write the next chapter so it will definatley be soon.

Chapter 3: Unfolding

It was late in the afternoon when the five stopped to make camp. Teyla and Ronon were setting up the bed rolls, while Rodney scrounged around for food in his pack. John was completely focused on Elizabeth, watching her as she peered around the campsite. She walked slowly towards an old, dead tree, and placed her hands on its trunk. Her ear was pressed against its bark as she closed her eyes.

"You know that tree is dead," John told her.

She shook her head and smiled as she stepped back from it. Rodney stopped looking through the bags and gasped. Even Ronon and Teyla were amazed by the sight.

"I'm no Mage," John said, "But aren't dead trees not supposed to have leaves?"

A tall tree with large, droopy branches thick with emerald colored leaves now stood where the dead one had.

"How did you do that?" Rodney asked in awe.

"Creatures of Life," Teyla said for Elizabeth, "The Elves have the power to recreate life from death, except for in humans."

"That is possible actually," Elizabeth said.

"Really, how?" Rodney asked.

As she opened her mouth to answer him John interrupted, "I hate to break up all of this fun…but if we want to eat tonight we're gonna have to hunt."

"I'll go," Ronon volunteered, picking up his bow, he turned to the two girls, "You want to come?"

"I can't!" Elizabeth cried out.

"Why not?" John asked.

"Death is like a plague to the mind of the Elves," Teyla explained, "It hurts them."

"It's why I fainted in the village," Elizabeth said, "I'm not trained to block myself from the pain."

"So you can't eat meat?" John asked with annoyance.

"Yes, I can, but I cannot kill the creatures."

"Okay, you don't have to come," Ronon said, "What about you, Teyla?"

An opportunity is at hand, she thought. She knew that she was going to have to separate him from the group. "Yes I'll go." was her reply.

"Maybe you don't need to bring that bow Ronon," John remarked, "I'm sure she could do something."

She glared at him, "Perhaps I'll turn you into an animal and we could have you for supper."

"Don't argue with a witch," John told himself, "got it."

Teyla watched Ronon as he tracked the deer, his slow calculated movements, and his ability to see an almost invisible trail. He's gifted she thought, and he was.

She didn't realize she was staring until he turned to look at her, "What?" he asked.

"I was…I was just thinking about how…how amazing it is that you can hunt so well," She wanted to kick herself, how foolish did that sound, he must think of her as a fool. But why should she even care what he thought? "Did someone teach you?" she asked but then realized what she said, "Oh I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that."

He just smiled that smile that always brought a strange feeling to her stomach. "Its fine," he told her, "In fact, I was wondering how you got to be the way you are.

She looked at him confused, "Become a witch," he explained.

"Oh," she leaned against a tree, "Well as you know the pagans were driven out of the kingdoms of men a long time ago. Most witches come from the pagan lands but sometimes they are found outside the lands, and those are the most powerful."

"So which one are you?" he asked.

"I was born in another kingdom, I do not know which one, but it was obvious when I was very young that I was different. My parents realized this and took me to the Witches Guild so that I would not harm anyone." He looked confused, so she explained further, "If I was not taught to control my powers it could have brought about much damage, if I ever became angry I could have destroyed an entire town on accident."

"So all of this power, comes from your blood?" He asked.

"Yes, it amazes me to sometimes, blood controlling what we can do. Like Elizabeth being able to wield Elvin swords, only you could be able to touch her sword with out being hurt."

He was surprised by that, "Really?"

"Yes, didn't you hear what I said earlier? Only those with Elvin blood have green eyes, just like you." At that point those eyes were staring at her so intently she had to look away least she become lost in them.

"Are you saying I could do things like she can?"

She shook her head, "No, what ever relative of yours that was Elvin was long ago. You have magic in your family but it is wild and untamed and it would be dangerous if we did try to draw it out. You would be unable to control it." She took his hand and looked at his palm, "Still there is so much power in your blood, I can feel it."

He didn't even look at his hand that she was holding, he was watching her. She didn't notice until she looked up, and that was also when she realized how close to him she was.

His hand gripped her tightly, while his other gently held the back of her head, guiding her lips to his. Teyla's heart was beating so fast. She was feeling emotions she never knew existed when he gently kissed her, she found herself pulling him closer in order to deepen this experience. She wanted to know the extent of this which had always been forbidden to her.

Forbidden, the word flashed through her mind, letting herself get a sight grip on her thoughts that were so easily slipping away. She pulled herself away from him, a battle going on inside her head. Part of her longing to stay that way with him, the other part knowing what would happen if he master learned what she was doing.

"No," she told him, "we can't…I can't do this."

"Why not?" he asked, anger on the edge of his words.

"If you knew the truth…" she began, "I mean this isn't what I'm allowed to do. It's forbidden for me to do things like this…with anyone." Especially you, she thought.

"Please don't be angry," she pleaded. But it wasn't anger in those beautiful eyes that she, saw but hurt. He really wanted to be with her, she realized and she suddenly had to urge to wrap her arms around him, to take that hurt away.

"Come on," he said turning away from her, "We have to continue hunting."

And she followed, her heart still beating fast. She was certain she had done the right thing, but why then did it feel so wrong?

John was casually throwing a stone up in the air while sneaking a few glances at their newest traveler. For some reason she fascinated him, whether it was in a good way or not, he didn't see the harm in keeping an eye on her.

Rodney was starting a fire, using flint instead of magic, since it was getting dark. Elizabeth seemed unaffected by the darkness, and instead was leaning against the same tall oak she had returned life to. He hear was pressed against it, and her eyes were closed again.

"What are you doing?' John asked, his curiosity stoked.

"I'm listening," She replied.

"To what?"

"The tree," She said.

"It's a tree," John stated, "There is nothing to listen to."

"It speaks to me," She said with her eyes still closed.

John looked at Rodney, "She's nuts," He mouthed while tapping at his head to gesture his point.

"It's unwise to speak of people behind their backs," Elizabeth said as she moved back towards the camp, "And I rather agree with the tree, you are a disdainful bastard."

He leapt to his feet, "You want me to call you names? Alright Pixie Ears you've got it."

"Pixie Ears!"

"What would you prefer, tree-talker?"

"You…!"

"Stop it both of you!" Rodney interrupted, "Unless you want to wake up every evil creature out there, then go on ahead and keep arguing. You don't have to like each other, but at least work together."

"He's right," Elizabeth agreed.

"I guess," John said, walking over to his bedroll and swiping up his water skin. He took a long swig, but stopped when his eye caught the sight of a large Tindlebrush

Slowly, John picked up his own bow, and fit an arrow to it. He pulled the string taut, and was about to release it when Elizabeth jumped in his way, "Don't!"

His knuckles on his bow turned white as he gripped the bow harder, "Why did you just do that!"

Not answering his question, Elizabeth tip-toed towards the bird, and held out her hand. Twittering softly, the Tindlebrush flew from its perch and settled onto her palm.

"Great, so we lose a perfectly good meal because you want to play with the bird!" John stated bitterly as he threw down his bow."

"She is only searching for food," Elizabeth said as she stroked the bird's white breast, "Her three chicks are hungry. If you had killed her they would have died."

"Things die," John said, "Get used to it."

"But if you can prevent death…"

"Yeah well you sure did a good job of that, didn't you?" John pointed to the direction of her village, "If you like saving lives, why didn't you do anything about them."

"If I could have done something, I would have," She spat at him, "Then I would not be stuck in this forest with a malicious knave like you!"

Elizabeth turned on her heels, and charged away from the camp and moving deeper into the forest.

John kicked at his bedroll angrily before sitting down by the fire. Rodney kept looking at him with a look of surprise.

"What are you staring at?" John demanded.

"You do know that her entire village is dead?" Rodney asked, "The life she knew is dead, her mother is dead. And what you just said…"

"I get it, McKay," John said. "Oh crap, now I feel guilty."

"Maybe you should find her and apologize," Rodney suggested.

"You're right," John agreed as he got up. Before he left the camp, he turned back, "Elves can't turn people into stone or anything right?

Rodney shook his head, "I don't think so."

John sighed of relief, "Well that's good news," He said as he headed in the direction Elizabeth had left in.

It was almost completely dark, with only the moon and a sprinkling of stars for light. The Broken Forest was a terrifying place at night; almost pitch black with branches stretched out like demon hands trying to capture your soul. John had been in these woods many times, but it still gave him the creeps. He held his sword ready in case a pagan decided to cross his path.

A sharp growl sounded in front of John, halting him. Snarling, a grey wolf dashed out of the bushes. John raised his sword to defend himself from this angry creature.

"Stop!" Elizabeth cried as she also stepped out of the bushes and walked over to the wolf.

"Stop?" John repeated, "That thing was trying to kill me!"

She shook her head, "He's hurt," She held up the wolf's bloody paw to show him, "The pain is making him irritable."

John watched with fascination as she softly traced the wound with her fingertips. She didn't utter any words like Teyla did, but somehow the gash healed as if it had never been there.

Elizabeth smiled and released the wolf, which ran away back into the bushes.

"Wow," John said in amazement, "Think you can teach me that?"

"It would be impossible," She replied, "You do not have Elvin blood."

"I knew that," John said, "It was a joke." John looked around the forest again, still wary of his surroundings, "You shouldn't be out here alone."

"You didn't come because you feared for my safety," She stated knowingly.

"What makes you think that?"

"Because you don't care for anyone but yourself."

"That's not true!" John defended himself, "I don't understand half the things you say and do, but that doesn't mean that I would just watch you die."

"I wasn't in danger."

"Maybe not then, but you could have been," John said, "I may prefer to work alone, but that doesn't give you a right to call me self-centered."

Elizabeth looked at the ground, "You're right, I'm sorry."

"And I'm sorry about what I said earlier," John apologized.

"We may not understand each other, but we should at least try to get along," Elizabeth said.

"I agree, but you still shouldn't come out here alone," John warned, "You may be connected to all life, but there are some things that don't care, trust me, I know."

Elizabeth nodded, "I just wanted some privacy."

Guilt knotted his stomach again, "Are you alright? I mean, you lost your mother and…"

"I'll be fine," She assured him, "Grief may stay for a while, but eventually it fades."

"But you don't have a home," John said.

"Hopefully, my father will accept me."

"Do you even know who he is?" John asked.

Elizabeth shook her head, "My mother wouldn't tell me of him, and I don't know why. He left some Elvin books for me, the sword, and this," She held up a silver pendent with a large blue stone in its center. Etched into the stone appeared to be a crest, although whose family it was John didn't know.

"Don't touch it," She said as he reached for a better look, "its Elvin silver."

"Thanks for the warning," John said.

"Who is your father?" Elizabeth asked, "Teyla mentioned that your mother owns a tavern, but she told me nothing about your father."

John didn't say anything for a few moments, "We should head back," He told her.

Elizabeth frowned, "You didn't answer my question."

"Because I didn't want to," John snapped at her. His look softened when he saw the surprised look on her face, "It's a touchy subject, and I don't like to talk about him."

"I didn't mean to pry," She atoned.

"It's okay," John said. For a few moments they just stared at each other, unsure of what to say, and afraid to break their small bridge of peace. John did notice something had never cared to observe before; she was beautiful. It stirred something in him that he had never felt before. Something he partially feared, partially…enjoyed? Whatever it was, it definitely set him on edge.

"We should go," John broke the silence at last, "Come on, Pixie."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, "Pixie?"

John just grinned as he walked ahead of her. She stared at his back and shook her head. She wasn't sure if she was pleased with her new nickname, but at least he wasn't saying it out of anger. It was like he said it with…affection.

The five travelers were on the second day of the three day journey to Havenston.

"Hurry up Pixie," John berated the half-elf in a teasing manner that earned him a glare. Elizabeth muttered something in Elvish; something Teyla knew was not wishing good health on the man.

Teyla rolled her eyes; if those two ever stopped arguing she had a feeling they might find affection in one another.

Her heart sank when she thought of that word, lately it seemed anything dealing with romance made her think of the kiss she and Ronon shared in the forest. The feeling that she had lost something had stayed with her longer than she anticipated and it had only gotten worse.

She found herself staring at him more and more, the only respite was at night when she slept. But even then she had to endure dreams, she dreamt of his smile, of him wrapping her arms around her his soft touch and the feel of his lips on hers. Dreams that only made her wish she had let that kiss continue, and see what would have become of it.

"Do you know how to use that thing?" Teyla heard John's voice, waking her from her thoughts. She looked up to see that he was asking Elizabeth and pointing at the Elvin sword.

"Not with skill." Elizabeth admitted.

Ronon smiled, "Finally you and Sheppard have something in common."

"Just because you can beat me in two minutes does not mean I don't know how to fight!" John protested his pride at stake.

Elizabeth grinned teasingly, "Only two minutes, you must truly be terrible."

John glared at Ronon, "Now you've got her started."

A cold dark feeling came from the pit of Teyla's stomach, a feeling that came only when a most feared enemy was near. "The Wraith!" she shouted, "They're here!"

"Are you sure?" John asked. All the proof he need came from the sound of snapping twigs. "You're sure." He answered for her.

John looked back at Rodney and Elizabeth, "Stay back, they are more than you two can handle."

Six Wraith stepped out of the forest, hissing with glee over the feast they saw. They were as tall as men, but their skin was pale green. They were dressed in leather armor, and carried silver swords, most likely stolen from a meal long ago.

The three fighters stood ready, swords drawn. The Wraith surrounded the three of them, hoping to frighten them with their numbers.

John attacked first, slashing with his sword, inflicting wounds on the two Wraith in front of him that healed rapidly. That was the real threat about the Wraith; they were so hard to kill due to the fact that most wounds inflicted on them healed almost instantly.

One Wraith came at Teyla she blocked his sword with her own. With her sword arm blocking his above her head, she merely smiled. "Kiltner ty," she said and she raised the other hand to her lips and gently blew a frosty breath on to the Wraith. The Wraith stood their frozen, John couldn't believe his eyes.

"Do that to mine!" He yelled at her blocking some blows, "It would definitely make out jobs easier."

Teyla paid no attention to John's words but merely brought her sword around and neatly cut off the frozen Wraith's head.

I should have been a Warlock, John thought to himself as he ducked to avoid one of the Wraith's sweeping blows. He kicked him in the stomach, causing the Wraith to double over in pain. The second Wraith was no longer paying any attention to John, but instead had caught sight of the two others trying to hide from the fight.

The Wraith smiled a cold smile when he saw the half-blood, "That one is rich with life," He said, almost drooling with delight.

Elizabeth wanted desperately to help John and the others, but she knew there was nothing she could do. She didn't know how to fight with her sword, and her powers were of little help right then. Rodney was cowering beneath a bush, terrified at the thought of being fed upon.

A cold hand grasped her throat, lifting her into the air. Rodney was frozen in fear, but Elizabeth was only focused on the yellow eyes staring at her in hunger.

John saw the Wraith's intentions, and raced towards him, forgetting about the second one. He stabbed the Wraith through the back, making him scream in agony. He dropped Elizabeth, and fell to the ground as his black blood poured out his life.

"Are you alright?" John asked her.

Elizabeth rubbed her throat, "I'm fine," She assured him. Her eyes grew with fright when she looked past John, "Ronon!"

John looked back to see the Wraith he had abandoned to save Elizabeth standing over Ronon. The warrior had been kicked to the ground, and the Wraith was now pinning his sword arm with his foot.

Teyla heard Elizabeth call out Ronon's name just as she was thrusting her sword into another Wraith's heart. Ronon had been fighting so gallantly, fighting two Wraith at a time. He was killing the second one and had not seen the third one behind him. Now he was pinned beneath it.

Time seemed to slow as Teyla watched the Wraith thrust his hand on to Ronon's chest. She could feel her heart beating in her ears as she rushed over to try to save him, her one thought was Please don't let him die.

There was no way she could get there in time, the Wraith should already be feeding on him, that much she knew.

The Wraith with drew his hand and stared at it confused, John came at that moment and began to duel with it, while Teyla rushed over to Ronon.

She knelt down beside him, not even bothering to look at his face, her entire focus on the bleeding wounds that had come from the Wraith's hands.

She was hysterical, the held her hands across his chest trying to staunch the bleeding, all the while repeating over and over again aloud, "Too late, I'm too late." She was so certain he was dying that she didn't notice the hand that had placed itself on her cheek, brushing away the tears she had no idea were falling.

"Teyla," Ronon said gently, "It's alright." Only then did she look up at him, shock and relief washed over her features, so glad to realize that he was alive and well. "Something made it stop," He explained.

But nothing mattered except the knowledge that he was fine. The hand was still caressing her cheek. She didn't try to stop him from showing this bit of affection; she was too busy staring into his passion filled eyes.

She leaned in close to him and gently let her lips caress his, letting her lips show how glad she was that he was alive. One hand wrapped itself around his neck, the other still pressed against his chest soon followed. His hand was caressing her hair, running the silky strands between his fingers. She let herself deepen the kiss, his tongue probing inside mouth, gently inviting hers to dance with it. Neither warriors remembered where they were, the circumstances, nor even that they were not alone. That is until John made it quite clear.

"Oh yeah sure, you two keep enjoying yourselves, for all you know I could be fighting an army of Wraith, single-handedly."

Ronon shot John a venomous look, but he just kept smiling.

"That was rather rude of you, John," Elizabeth commented as she and Rodney joined them.

"I guess, but I found it kind of fun," He smiled at her before turning to Ronon and Teyla, "Finish up you two so we can keep going. Maybe you can rent a room in Havenston."

Before either of them could say something, Rodney made a point, "Have all of you forgotten that Ronon's chest is bleeding because a Wraith fed upon him, and somehow he isn't dead?"

"He's right," Elizabeth said, as she knelt down beside Ronon. She traced his cuts with her fingers and they healed up instantly.

"That never gets old," John commented.

"How are you alive?" Rodney asked again.

"I have no idea," Ronon admitted.

"I'm just glad he you aren't dead," Teyla said.

"Yeah, saw that," John teased again.

"Perhaps we should continue on?" Teyla suggested while giving John a glare.

"Okay," John agreed, "Is anyone else hurt?" He asked. Everyone shook there heads no. "Good, grab your stuff and let's move out."

Later that night, the five had settled at a campsite already out of the Broken Forest. Teyla started a fire using her powers, and making Rodney envious again. Ronon was still staring at his chest in question as to why he was still alive.

Elizabeth listening to the wind, which John found stranger than her talking to a tree, but he enjoyed it a lot better because the wind would blow her hair, making it ruffle delightfully.

"There are no more Wraith," She informed them, "We may sleep in peace tonight."

"Well that's a relief," Rodney said, "I've been so scared that I hardly ate." He turned to John, "That reminds me, I'm hungry. Where is that dried meat?"

"You didn't hardly eat, and we just had dinner an hour ago," John stated in disbelief.

"Do you want me to starve to death?"

"You're not…" John threw up his hands in exasperation "Why do I even bother," he muttered to himself before throwing his pouch at the Mage, "Take as much as you like."

Rodney dug inside the leather bag for a few moments, but he forgot about the meat when his fingers brushed something hard, "What's this?" He asked as he drew it out.

It was a ring, a handsome one at that. It looked to be made of costly gold, with rubies circling around a crest.

John swiped the ring from Rodney's hand, but he had already seen what he needed to see, "How did you get that?"

"Get what?" Ronon asked.

"Nothing," John replied, "It's nothing."

"That is not nothing," Rodney said, "That is a signet ring with the royal seal of Marcutia."

"How did you get a ring with a royal seal on it?" Ronon asked, while Elizabeth and Teyla watched with curiosity.

"I didn't steal it if that's what you think," John explained hesitantly, "My father left it for me."

"Do you know what this means?" Rodney queried, "It means that your father is related to the King of Marcutia."

"No," John said. He didn't want to tell them the truth, but it was too late now, "My father was the King of Marcutia."

Everyone froze exactly where they were as what he had just said sank in. "That's right," He said almost in a shout, "I'm the bastard son of King Wiston!"

"How…what…but…" Rodney stammered.

"But that's not possible?" John finished for him, "It is if he had an affair with a commoner."

"Wiston was said to be a noble man," Teyla said, "You should be proud to be his son."

"Proud?" John repeated, "You think I'm proud? How do you think it feels to know your father got himself killed, leaving my mother on her own? Do you think I enjoyed finding out that I'm the son of a king who never cared to know that I existed?"

"But John, that makes you Marcutia's heir," Rodney said.

"I may be his son, but that doesn't make me a prince," John said, "Do you really see me as a king."

"Yes."

Everyone turned to look at Elizabeth who had just answered John's questions with the most unexpected answer. She explained, "The greatest of kings are those who understand the lives of the common folk. To know their hardships and joys is not something many kings know. But you do, you know what it is like to feel as if you are starving, to be afraid that this next day might be your last. If a king is afraid to accept his rights, then they are the most excellent rulers."

"You see all of that just by looking at me?" John asked, still a bit stunned.

"I do."

John shook his head hard, "Well you're wrong. I'm not a king, and I don't want to be."

"Then you have sentenced Marcutia to death, for they will surely die underneath Clayton," Elizabeth told him.

"I can't…I can't talk about this right now," John said, moving away to the farther side of the camp.

"Your words are wise," Teyla told Elizabeth.

Elizabeth smiled at Teyla, "That's what my mother used to say?"

"Do you really think he would be a good king?" She asked unsure.

"Yes," Elizabeth explained, "If he will stop being afraid to accept his rights he would be one of the greatest kings of all."

Teyla's eyes widened at Elizabeth's words, her thoughts were racing and all the puzzle pieces were falling into place.

She looked at John scowling on the other side of the camp, "A prince afraid to accept his rights," She said aloud not even knowing it; she looked at Rodney, "Coward who will learn to brave the fight." She then looked at Elizabeth, "A half-blood whose words are wise…" Her eyes then fell on Ronon idly sharpening his sword, "The key." Her hand went to her mouth to stifle the gasp.

She had stumbled upon the prophecy! She had already known Ronon was the key but now knowing everyone else here was a part of it, this was all so overwhelming. These four people would destroy the Wraith! Four and another, who was that person she wondered, who was the traitor?

Later that night sleep came to all of them save Teyla who was wide awake staring into the fire, lost in her thoughts.

Suddenly the fire blazed up word, startling her. She stifled a scream when she saw the face of her master, Thomias in the flames.

"Master…I…"

"Listen to me child," He interrupted, "I have seen the four that travel with you."

"Yes," She said a slight smile on her lips, "Master they are the four of the prophecy, all of them."

"I know," He told her with an evil grin that sent a shiver down her spine, "Bring them to me…all of them."

"Shouldn't I wait? They have yet to find the fifth person of the prophecy, if we are but patient…"

"No Teyla," He said forcefully, "I want them now!"

Fear gripped her heart, "These are my friends," She explained, "What would you do to them?"

His eyes narrowed, "That is not your concern, do as I ask or face the consequences."

The fire died down back to it original size. Teyla did not realize until then that her hands were shaking.

She looked at her four sleeping friends in turn, letting her eyes linger over Ronon last. She was afraid that her master had something terrible in mind for them, and if she betrayed them now…

She chocked back the tears that welled up in her eyes; Ronon was going to hate her for sure when he learned the truth. And it really wasn't a matter of if but when.

TBC

A/N: Funny thing about the Teyla/Ronon kisses, the first one was planned right from the get go but the second one came out while writing the scene. Next chapter: John accepts who he is, Elizabeth meets her father and gets a surprise and the betrayal from the prophecy comes to pass, but it's not what you think.

If you are excited about the next chapter, please review, if you liked this chapter please review but douse all flames or we'll send Teyla and her fire balls after you.