Winter had covered the world with a soft white coat. Trees and many animals slept peacefully, waiting for the return of spring to blossom again.
Lya, a basket of winter berries under her arm, paused for a moment, gazing at the big stone ring, also sleeping under his cloak.
They had buried it, then dug it up, and then buried it again, as the oh-so-young and surprising Taur'i had advised them. But in the end, when once again they had to take it out of the ground, the council had decided it would be better left there. After all, they had been protecting the Nox and all the other inhabitants of Gaia for millennia, hiding them from unwelcome eyes, and it had always worked. Why stop?
Because the Tau'ri had advised them to do so. But they were young, and knew so little.
Gentle, sincere and full of good intentions, but so ignorant of the ways of the universe.
She smiled. Was it also winter on their world? Did it look like theirs, under a big coat of snow? She had gone there, but had only seen the military base where the Gate was hidden. Poor Taur'i, so terrified of their own people that they dared not reveal to them the existence of the Stargate and the hidden wonders beyond. Shaking her head compassionately, Lya started walking again. One day, maybe soon, they would be wise enough. One day, maybe soon, could they really walk together towards the future. That day, the Nox would be there, and welcome them with open arms. That day, beside the light footprints of his bare feet in the snow, one may find the deep traces of the heavy leather boots of the Earthlings.
That day, the galaxy will go one step further towards harmony.