Disclaimer: Oh yeah sure, we own Atlantis, and we also own the Milky Way. Why are our noses growing?
A/N Tinuviel Undomiel: Some good Shweir bits in here, and a VERY good Teyla/Ronon scene. Enjoy everybody.
A/N Nerwen Aldarion: Well here it is probably one of my favorite chapters. The ending leads to an awesome confrontation in the next chapter so I certaintly hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 4: Betrayal
Havenston wasn't the smallest town in Kalante, but it certainly wasn't the largest. It was the home for traders and merchants, and housed only a few ruffians. Hope's Door was the largest tavern in Havenston, and the busiest. The owner was a pretty middle-aged woman with light brown hair and laughing brown eyes; however, she might have looked sweet, but she was a feisty wench.
"There you go," Mary Sheppard said as she set two mugs of mead in front of two men, "Will you be needing..." She gave a yelp and turned to glare at man behind her, "You pinch me one more time Gram, and I'll box your ears!"
She picked up her tray and returned to the bar to get more drinks. A piercing whistle sounded from the door, but it didn't disturb the din in the tavern.
"Quit your cat-calling, I'm coming!" She yelled as she set three tall pints of ale on her tray.
"Is that anyway to treat a paying customer?" The whistler asked.
Mary forgot all about her tray, and turned around to smile at him. "Paying customer? Hah! You've never paid for a drink in here your whole life!"
"Why should I have?" John asked still grinning, "Since I worked here my whole life."
Mary shook her head before running to her son and embracing him in a large hug, "Oh I missed you John."
"I missed you too, Mom."
"You don't visit me enough," She scolded him while smiling; "I miss you too much."
She looked past her son and saw his companions, "I thought I taught you not to be rude? Now introduce me to your friends."
"Oh, well this is Rodney," John pointed, "He's a Mage who's hired me to take him to Abalon. This is Ronon and Teyla and…" He noticed Elizabeth had wandered away from the group and was standing beside a keg by the bar, "And that one is Elizabeth."
"Dearie, that keg is sour, I wouldn't drink from it," Mary warned.
Elizabeth wasn't planning on drinking from it; instead she placed a finger in her mouth, and then dipped it into the barrel. She took a clean mug from the bar and scooped some of the ale into it. She walked over to John and handed it to him, "Drink," She said.
"What?" John asked incredulously, "You heard that stuff is bad."
"Just drink it," She replied.
Still frowning, John accepted the glass and hesitantly took a sip. He stared at the liquid inside, "Hey, this is…pretty good. Really good, how did…"
"A half-blood!" Mary exclaimed, "How lucky!"
Elizabeth frowned in confusion. "Around here, Dearie, Elves are considered good luck," Mary explained.
A crash was heard in the kitchen, and Rodney's absence was noted, "Stay out of that kitchen, you half-wit!" Mary cried as she rushed to protect her stock from the hungry Mage.
John just looked around all the chaos and smiled, "Home sweet home."
"Out, out, out!" Mary shooed the last few customers out of the tavern now that it was closing time. Rodney had already gone upstairs to sleep, but the rest of them were still downstairs helping her clean up.
"I better light some candles," She said, "its getting dark."
Without thinking, Teyla said an Ancient word and snapped her fingers. Instantly all of the candles in the room were lit.
"Lordy!" Mary cried, "A witch!"
"It's alright, Mom," John reassured, "She's with us."
"If it makes you uncomfortable, I can leave," Teyla said.
"Oh no, Dearie, you just gave me quite a fright," Mary said.
Teyla picked up a few mugs and moved to place them in the kitchen. She noticed a lovely piece of embroidery that depicted a saying she new well. "Is it customary to have a tapestry of the prophecy?"
"It used to be," Mary said, "Now only a few carry it. It means hope to some of us, especially my Wiston." Mary realized the slip she'd made, but was surprised when Teyla didn't ask about Wiston.
"Is that why the tavern is named Hope's Door?"
"Yes, I feel that hope is what men are lacking now, and I think that if we believe the prophecy will come; then someday it will."
"Perhaps sooner than you think," Teyla whispered to herself. She looked at Ronon for several moments. He caught her gaze, and she quickly turned away. "I…I think I'll retire now," She said, as she dashed up the stairs. She couldn't get any closer to him; if she did he would only hate her more.
Ronon watched her go, and almost followed her, but decided not too. She didn't want to talk, and no matter how much he tried she wouldn't change her mind.
John was sitting at the bar sipping some of the ale Elizabeth had turned from sour to the best brew ever. Elizabeth took the half full glass from his hand.
"Hey, I wasn't finished yet!"
"Well I'm not letting you get drunk," She said, taking the mug into the kitchen to rinse it out.
John muttered something under his breath, making his mother laugh. "She certainly is a character, John," Mary said, "She'd make an excellent wife."
"Too someone I guess, not for me," John told her.
Elizabeth came out of the kitchen at that moment, "Most definitely not for you," She agreed, but Mary still smiled.
Ronon was standing in front of the hearth where a large white dog with brown spots was lying in front of the warm fire. He reached over to pet him, but the dog snapped savagely at his hand.
"Demon dog," Ronon muttered, as Elizabeth walked over still laughing.
She held out her hand to the dog, who sniffed it in greeting and then licked it. She smiled and petted the dog on his head.
"Well he likes her," Ronon said.
"Is there any scraps in the kitchen?" Elizabeth asked, "Boyce is hungry."
"How did…? Never mind, yes they are in the pantry," Mary said.
Elizabeth got up to get them while Ronon excused himself to go upstairs. John pulled up a chair to sit in front of the fire. He was petting Boyce when Elizabeth returned, "He only likes Mom and me…and you."
"Yes, I know," She said, "People must earn his trust."
John gave her a smile, and settled back down in his chair while his mother pulled up one of her own. With a happy bark, Boyce gobbled up the food Elizabeth brought and licked her face with thanks.
"So why did you bring so many friends?" Marry asked her son.
"Oh well, as I said before Rodney's hired me to take him to Winnington. We met Ronon in Sitar, and Teyla joined us in the Broken Forest. Elizabeth's village was attacked by the Wraith," John explained, "She was the only survivor; we are taking her to the river so she can find her Elf father."
"Poor girl," Mary sympathized.
"She's taken it all pretty well," John said.
"John, do they…"
"Yeah, the nosy Mage found the ring in my bag."
"I'll bet they were surprised," Mary guessed.
"Not as surprised as me when that one said she saw me as a king," John tilted his head to Elizabeth.
"That doesn't surprise me," Mary replied.
John sighed, "Mom, I can't. He abandoned you. It's his fault Marcutia suffers."
"John there is just so much you just don't understand," Mary said, "And if you just listened…"
"No, you told me about him five years ago, that's all I needed to hear." John said. He turned his attention to the fire, and smiled at what he saw. "Look at that."
Elizabeth had fallen asleep with Boyce in front of the fire. She was using his body as a pillow, and was curled up in a ball with her legs tucked beneath her tattered skirt.
"Guess she was more tired than I thought," John said.
Mary caught the look in his eye and smiled, "You fancy her."
"No!" John protested, "I mean look at her, she looks so…" He meant to say childish, but instead he said, "Beautiful."
"Perhaps you should carry her upstairs," His mother suggested.
"Why would I want to do that?" John replied, trying to make up for his slip earlier.
"Well, I suppose I can always get Ronon…"
"No, I'll do it," John jumped in, failing to sound like he didn't care. He lifted her up from the hearth, one arm under her back, the other underneath her knees so she was cradled against him. In her sleep, Elizabeth still sought the comfort of a heartbeat, and rested her head against his chest. John sucked in his breath when she did that as a thousand different feelings raced through his veins.
Mary laughed at him, and John shot her a look, "I was just startled," He defended, but she still smiled.
He carried her up the stairs, and into Mary's room, which was also being shared by Teyla. He gently placed her on a pallet on the floor, while Mary stood in the doorway. John pulled the blanket up to her chin, and tucked it around her. He meant to move away then, but he couldn't bring himself to. His fingers tenderly brushed her cheek, when he realized what he was doing, he jumped up in surprise. He glared at his mother, "You're putting ideas in my head."
"Or maybe those ideas had already been there," Mary suggested with a smile. John still had no clue what was going on, but he had to get rid of Elizabeth soon, or these temptations would get to hard to resist.
The next morning, John got up and left his room, which he had shared with Rodney and Ronon, to get a muffin in the kitchen, but his mother stopped him in the hallway.
"There is something I have to show you," She said.
He followed her into her room, it was empty since Teyla and Elizabeth had already gotten up. She opened the large trunk at the foot of her bed and pulled out two things: a large sword in a scabbard and a scroll.
"You wouldn't listen to me before, John, so I'm making you now," Mary said, "Your father was a good man. He loved me as much as I loved him. He wanted to marry me, but the law forbids the king to marry a commoner. When I told him I was with child, he wanted to abdicate the throne so he could marry me. I didn't trust Clayton, so I told him not to." Mary opened the scroll, and handed it to John, "This proclaims you as his heir. He was the there the day you were born, he gave me the ring that day so that it would be binding." She touched the sword, "His old nurse smuggled this out to me, and sent me with the warning that Clayton knew of your existence. In order to protect you, I came here. Your father loved you John, he died loving you, me, and Marcutia."
John was at a loss for words, and just stared at the piece of parchment in his hands. His father's signature was at the bottom, as well as the crest that was on the ring he had.
"You don't have to be king," Mary said, picking up the sword, "Just be a man your father would be proud of."
John looked at the sword she carried, his father's sword. He rolled up the scroll, and took the sword from her hands. He slid it out of its scabbard to admire its beauty. A steel blade polished, and sharpened ended at a gold hilt encrusted with rubies. The royal crest was etched into the hilt, proclaiming its importance. John took the swords scabbard, and sheathed it again. He didn't hand it back to his mother.
Mary smiled; she knew that his acceptance meant one thing: he was ready to be king.
Elizabeth and Ronon were waiting outside of the tavern when John came out with his gear.
"Is that a new sword?" Ronon asked.
"Yeah, it belonged to my father," John said. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in surprise, but didn't say anything.
"May I see it?" Ronon requested.
"Why do you want to criticize it too?" John joked as he handed it to the warrior.
Ronon unsheathed it and studied its blade with a critical eye. He examined its weight, and strength, and slashed it through the air a few times, "It's nice," He said, "This is a good sword, a lot better than that other one."
"Thanks," John said, accepting it back.
Elizabeth watched as he checked over his gear, "What do you see?" She asked Ronon.
"I see a man with a good sword."
She smiled at John, even though he didn't notice, "I see a king."
It was a few hours journey, but the five reached the Sylus in the early afternoon. John didn't know what to think when he saw the rushing water. Originally he had wanted to get rid of Elizabeth, but now…
"This is it," She said a little sad.
"Yeah," John replied, "Uh, you might want to head to Dwenville, you can get a boat there so you can get across, or…"
He stopped when he saw Teyla staring at several black dots in the sky, "What is it?"
"I'm not sure," The witch replied.
Elizabeth looked at the same spot she was. Her sight was far more superior to the others due to her Elvin blood, and she could see what it was.
"Gryphons, they have seen us," She told them.
"Gryphons!" John exclaimed, "I've never fought them before!"
"Can you use your magic against them?" Ronon asked Teyla.
"No," She said, dashing that small bit of hope, "These creatures were made by the pagans; our magic is useless against them."
"Well that's just great!" John cried, "When we need your powers you can't use them!"
"Shouting is not going to help," Elizabeth said, "We only have a few more minutes before they swarm upon us, we need a plan."
She thought for a second, and then stuck her silver sword into the ground. Where the blade met earth, a peculiar mist swirled out. The mist continued to spread until it was a thick grey fog that surrounded all of them.
"Good idea," Ronon said, "It might be a bit harder to see, but it gives us cover."
"Elizabeth, stay with Rodney and find some place to hide, "John said.
"No."
"What!" John shouted again.
"We're going to help you," Elizabeth said.
"We?" Rodney asked, "why we?"
"Please Rodney, be brave," Elizabeth pleaded.
"You are not going to…" John never got to finish because he had to dive out of the way when a large beak snapped at him.
Rodney fainted when he saw the huge beasts that were half eagle, and half lion. Elizabeth hacked at the beast with her sword. She only cut it a bit, but the pain from the Elvin silver caused it to shriek.
Teyla longed to use her powers, but it would be useless. It was difficult for her to only defend herself with her sword.
The Gryphons had trouble seeing their meal, but the five also had trouble seeing the Gryphons. They brought down several, but there were so many.
Elizabeth was trying to defend the unconscious Rodney, and John was trying to protect her.
It was a flurry of feathers, slashing of swords and beaks, claws raked at skin. One by one they all were brought down, until only Elizabeth stood. They were closing in on her, and there were too many, far too many.
She stuck her sword in the ground again, and called out in her mind "Haryön, lunre tüyai brigintor simpasse gyf wík!" (To those who will hear, I call on your aid.)
As she thought she was about to die, the sweet song of arrows released from a bow sounded. She could hear the Gryphons as they fell to the ground in agony, but she kept her eyes closed; until she heard a voice say in Elvish, "Jünor gynór wunil cör." (Open your eyes, little one.)
She did as the voice told, and saw a hand stretched out in front of her. She accepted the hand as well as his aid.
Teyla awoke in a room that was filled with sunlight. White silk curtains framed the huge windows; everything about the room was fresh and pure. She had never been to a place so filled with life, she briefly wondered where she was until the tall Elf entered the room.
"I am Dingar," The Elf spoke to her, his green eyes not showing any emotion.
"I'm in Parithia aren't I?" She asked still amazed at her surroundings.
"Yes," was his reply.
Teyla stood up from the bed, she saw that Dingar was wary of her and she had a feeling why. Mistrust had always been a mutual feeling between the Elves and the Pagans. But what frightened her most was that for some reason she was certain this man knew more than just what she was, but what her true agenda was as well.
"Am I safe here?" Teyla asked.
"You are safe from all creatures here."
"No," Teyla explained, "Am I safe here from your kind?"
She was afraid he would be angry for that question but he just nodded his understanding, "The half-blood has pledged your honor, you are welcome here."
The half-blood! He meant Elizabeth, "Where can I find her?" She asked.
Dingar smiled, "She should be here soon."
As if on cue, Elizabeth burst into the room wearing a simple blue gown. She looked flushed with happiness, "Oh Teyla it's so good to see you!"
"Ronon and the others?" Teyla asked.
"They are fine," Elizabeth said, "In fact everyone is waiting outside." Elizabeth turned to Dingar, "Is it alright if she leaves the room."
Dingar nodded, "She is as healthy as ever."
"Come on then," Elizabeth said, "You have to see this place."
With Elizabeth's insistence, Teyla dressed as fast as she could, but paused when she noticed that her weapons were not in the room, "My sword?"
"You will have no need for weapons here," Dingar said.
Teyla didn't like being unarmed, but she had no time to think about that because Elizabeth pulled her outside.
Parithia Palace was indeed very beautiful. It had tall, rounded towers in a pearl color. The towers were so tall that you could see the Varcönn Lake and the Cathörion Forest. The Sylus River branched off her, and left beautiful waterfalls spilling into the Parithia Lake surrounding the palace.
"Good to see you up, Teyla," John said, as he got up from the balcony ledge he had been sitting. He, Ronon and Rodney were all dressed in simple Elvin clothing, and both he and Ronon were absent their swords.
"This place is…overwhelming," Teyla said while looking around, "How did we get here."
"Pixie said that some guy named, Holden, or Hordig…"
"Hedwig," Elizabeth corrected, "I called for help, and an Elf named Hedwig came. He brought us here to safety; he even told me he is King Tylas's nephew."
"Besides Elizabeth, Rodney was the only one who escaped the Gryphons unscathed," Ronon said.
"That's because he fainted," John said with a smile.
"I did not faint!" Rodney protested, "I passed out due to…the rotten smell of the Gryphons."
"Whatever you say, Rodney," John grinned.
Elizabeth was still caught up in the beauty of the Elvin palace, "This place is so…glorious. It's not only beautiful, it's pure. There is no evil here, only life." Her hand reached up to chest when she noticed the missing weight, and started to feel around, "My pendent," She cried, "It's gone."
"Where did you lose it?" John asked.
"I'm not sure, but I need it to held find my father."
"Don't worry, we'll find it," He assured her.
Everyone got on their hands and knees searching the ground for the lost necklace. They looked foolish, but Elizabeth was desperate to find it.
Elizabeth spotted a glimpse of sparkling silver out of the corner of her eye, and she sighed in relief. As she reached out to grab it, another hand scooped it up. Elizabeth saw an older man dressed in fine Elvin robes standing before her. Slowly, she rose to her feet.
"Did you find it?" John asked, as he and the others came up behind her. He saw the man as well, "Does any one else notice the crown on his head?"
It wasn't really a crown, more of a silver colored circlet, but it announced his rank clearly. This was King Tylas.
"Excuse me, sir," Elizabeth found the words to say, "But that is mine."
"Where did you get this?" Tylas asked.
"I've had it since I was born," Elizabeth said, "At least, that's what my mother said."
"What is your name?"
"Elizabeth."
"And your Elvin name?" he asked, "What is the name of your mother?"
"My mother said my Elvin name is Emerwyn, her name was Lorna Weir."
Tylas closed his eyes softly and held the pendent tighter in his hands, "Lorna," he whispered.
"Sir, I need that pendent to find my father," Elizabeth said.
"You don't need to look anymore, Emerwyn, for I am your father."
Everyone's mouths fell open in shock. Elizabeth didn't no what to say, instead she just stared back at Tylas in complete surprise and disbelief.
"You...you're my father?" She managed to stammer out.
"Pixie, you're a princess?" John asked from behind.
"Perhaps I should explain," Tylas offered, "I know this is quite a shock. I met your mother years ago, and even though many were against it, I married her. I had hoped that my people would accept the idea of a human queen when you were born, but still many were afraid that our kingdom would be tarnished. To protect you and your mother, I sent her back to her people in Dwenville. I had just begun searching for you, but it was taking longer than I expected. My nephew, Hedwig, left to continue the search, obviously he found you without being aware of it."
"Have I been accepted in your kingdom?" Elizabeth asked warily.
Tylas smiled, "That is why I was searching for you Emerwyn, the Elves have accepted a half-blood heir."
"My father is a king, I'm the heir," Elizabeth repeated to herself, "This is a dream far bigger than I ever imagined, oh father!" She ran over and embraced her father like she had wanted to do her whole life.
"Please," Tylas said to the other four, "All of you are welcome in my household. This is a joyous occasion, the Princess Emerwyn has been found."
John was waiting in a large gallery for the others to arrive. A large banquet was being prepared in honor of Elizabeth. It was still hard to believe that she was a princess. And you're a prince, John thought, I wonder… Don't think about that, John, she may be a princess but you're not a king, and who knows if you will be.
"Do your thoughts trouble you?" Tylas said from behind John, startling him.
"No, uh your majesty, I was just thinking about…things."
"About your kingdom, son of Wiston?"
"How do you know…?"
"I met your father years ago," Tylas explained, "You are his image reborn. He was a good man and a great king. My brother, Gyntul, was killed by Clayton when your father was slain."
"Why didn't you war against my uncle then?" John asked.
"It wasn't my war," Tylas explained, "It's yours. The flames said that Wiston had a son who will battle against Clayton; that is you."
"I may be his son, but I don't have an army," John said, "I don't even know how to be king."
"Being a king is not something you learn, it is something you are born with," Tylas said, "I see much of Wiston in you. Faith is what you need, and if you put faith in yourself you'll be the greatest king of all.
John listened to King Tylas's words that were so much like Elizabeth's. He still wasn't sure how to win this, but he wanted to try.
The feast was one of the largest the Elves ever had. Everyone was wearing beautiful garments, and bright colors. The word sad was nonexistent; every one was in high spirits because the princess had been found.
Elizabeth looked beautiful in a lavender gown that was as soft as a feather in the breeze, and clung to her form perfectly. In fact, John had a hard time keeping his eyes off of her.
Teyla looked a bit uncomfortable in her light green dress, but she did look magnificent, something Ronon noticed very well.
Elizabeth and her father laughed and talked the entire time. Even though they had just met that day, it seemed like they had never been separated.
Raciella, sister to King Tylas, said very little. Instead she would observe each of the five companions in turn. Her gaze fell on Teyla the longest, and when Teyla caught her stare, a shiver went down her spine.
The Elf woman gazed at a torch lit by the wall on her side. She stared at it for a very long time with a strange smile on her face.
"What do they flames say, sister?" Tylas asked when he noticed this.
"Many things," Raciella said, "A great journey has begun, though those who travel it are unaware." She looked at Teyla, "The betrayal is about to befall."
"What does that mean?" John asked.
"You will learn, son of a king," Raciella answered, "soon you will know what your destiny is. If you listen to your heart, you will be the king your father was."
Her eyes turned to Rodney, "You lack courage, Mage, but if you trust yourself and look deep inside it is there."
She smiled at Elizabeth, "Emerwyn my beautiful niece. You are what holds everything together. When the truth is told, you must remain strong and wise, to prove that you are right."
Teyla found herself under scrutiny again, "You already know most of the tale, but the last piece is still obscure. Your choice will be before you tonight. Decide on what path to take, and choose wisely, for the quest depends upon it."
Raciella turned to the only one left, Ronon, "Your life is a mystery you want to solve, but you are a key part in this. Your destiny depends upon the traitor. Soon everything about you will unfold, and it is far greater than what you can imagine."
The Elf princess looked at the entire table, "Hope lies upon them. If they succeed darkness will be cast away from the kingdoms."
Teyla sat curled up by the window staring at the landscape outside the palace. She was in a melancholic mood and had been since Raciella had spoken about her. She had heard that some Elves could read the future in flames and obviously the king's sister was on of them. She didn't understand what Raciella had meant by the last piece being obscure, was it because they had not found the fifth person yet?
Even more frightening was the choice Raciella said she would make tonight, that the quest would depend on it. Teyla didn't like that the entire fate of the journey was on her shoulders, on a decision she had no idea about.
Maybe she should talk to Elizabeth about what she was feeling. Truthfully Teyla felt a kinship with her; maybe it was due to the fact that she was the only other woman on this quest. But Teyla suspected it was more than that; in Elizabeth Teyla felt true friendship, something she had never had at the Witches Guild.
Teyla silently left her room and tiptoed her way down the hallway, trying not to wake anyone else. All of her friends were staying in this same hallway; it was only a matter of finding the right room.
She chose a door and quietly opened it, but it was not Elizabeth occupying this room but Ronon. Now she had done it, if only she had chosen John's or Rodney's but Ronon would be her undoing, she was certain of this. She couldn't think straight around the man, he filled her mind with fantasies and passion. Something a pagan should never be allowed to know, at least not that type of passion.
She tried to close the door and correct her mistake but it was too late, he had already seen her.
"Teyla?" he called out to her.
She winced at being caught and shamefully reopened the door, "I was just looking around." She explained. Why was it that she couldn't seem to speak well around this man?
He nodded, "Is everything alright, you seemed…uncomfortable at the feast."
"Yes, it's just that…things were never really good between the Elves and the Pagans, I feel a bit uneasy being here." That was partially true but she felt more uneasy in his presence than she ever would with an Elf.
"Did you want to talk about it?" He asked slightly concerned.
"No," She replied immediately, "I'm fine, and it's rather late so I should be going." She turned to leave but his voice stopped her.
"Why do you do that?" He asked more exasperated than curious.
"Do what?"
"Avoid me as if I were a disease, you can't seem to stand being around me ever since we kissed." He explained shortening the distance between them.
She sighed, "Ronon, you know why I can't do this I already told you…"
He shook his head, "No, if you truly meant that you wouldn't have kissed me back. And don't forget you were the one that started it after the Wraith attacked."
No she would never forget that, it had haunted her like a pleasurable ghost, reminding her of what she wanted but could never have. And there was so close and only moving closer.
"Please Ronon," She begged, "I can't talk about this, not now, not this way."
"Why?"
Maybe it was his presence that clouded her mind, or maybe the need to stop lying that all the words spilled out of her, "Because we're alone and I can't talk to you alone. Otherwise I'll forget who I am and the vows I've taken, I'll forget everything…except you. Standing their so magnificent and try as hard as I might, I can't get you out my head. You're in my thoughts, my dreams and my desires, and you shouldn't be…you shouldn't be."
Ronon had stood as still as a statue while she confessed her feelings, he had been determined to get the truth out of her and he had succeeded even more than he could have hoped. And she was still standing there, tears spilling down her cheeks; to him there was only one thing he could do. He closed the distance between them and gently wiped away the tears from her beautiful face.
"Stop thinking about what you can't or shouldn't do," He said so tenderly, "What is that you want?"
Her soft brown eyes met his striking green ones, "You," She told him so softly, "I want you."
When he heard those words a feeling of joy ran through his veins and he lowered his lips to hers to crush her in a hungry kiss. This time there was nothing in this world that could stop them. Nothing to stop her from surrendering herself to him completely.
Far away in the snow capped mountains, high in the tower, the Warlock Thomias watched the two warriors join together in a lovers embrace. He was gripping the seeing crystal so hard it cut into his hand, but he didn't even notice the pain. The blood mingling with the scene of passion and ecstasy the smooth stone reflected.
His anger reached heights it had never been before. How dare she give herself away, especially to him! Her orders were to bring them to him, not have a tussle with the one man he wanted to kill most.
Only one thought was bent on his mind, betrayal.
Teyla watched Ronon tenderly as he slept, his arm possessively around her waist, her hand resting on his chest. For once in her life she felt serene and at peace with herself. Her thoughts traveled back to what had taken place earlier and it brought a smile to her lips, she had no idea such pleasure and passion existed. She briefly wondered what else Ronon would teach her, but for now she was content just to watch him sleep.
It was then the flickering flame of the candle caught her eye and against her will she was drawn to stare at it. Then she saw her masters face in the flame and her heart filled with icy fear.
She heard her master's voice in her head, "Traitor!"
Her only thought was that she had to silence him some how, "Teronin." She said and all the candles in the room flickered out, leaving the room in darkness.
But it was too late; the realization of what she had done now sank in. The consequences of her actions were almost too much for her to bear.
What had just seemed as clear as day to her moments ago now became fogged with the teachings she had learned all her life. How could she have been so foolish giving herself to a man when it was forbidden?
She needed clarity, a place to think, a place where Ronon wouldn't muddle her thoughts. Only one such place came to mind.
Teyla gathered up her clothes that had carelessly been dropped on the floor and raced to her room. There she changed into her traveling clothes and gathered the rest of her things.
She made her way down the hallway but paused at Ronon's door. Guilt settled on her mind a long with a realization; she didn't want to leave him. This brought a question that had been plaguing her mind, was she in love with him? She didn't know, and probably wouldn't until she knew exactly which side she was on.
Teyla rushed outside and quickly found her way to the gates of the Elven palace. Luck was with her, the gates were open. She turned to have one last look at the palace and that was when she saw him.
Tylas watched her, her eyes reflected fear and pain. He saw the frantic and erratic way she stared at him and watched as she quickly turned away, running out the gates and out of his sight.
What surprised him was the feeling he sensed off of her, betrayal. What had she done?
His sister stepped out of the shadows, "Do not send anyone after her." Raciella said.
"Why?" He asked thoroughly confused.
"She has made her choice," Raciella explained, "She just needs to discover what this means, and who she is."
"And the choice was?"
Raciella smiled, "All shall be well soon."
A/N: Just to let you know, Hedwig is Gyntul's son, notRaciella's. Anyways, next chap: The truth gets out, as does Ronon's past. Please R&R, but nno flames.