Teyla stood at the edge of the open field, watching the jumpers land in front of her and expedition members hurry down the ships' ramps. A blanket of white several inches thick lay on the ground, and the tiny crystals blew upwards as each of the ships touched down. It had been snowing since the day before, and the low clouds hanging overhead not only dimmed the already fading afternoon light but threatened more snow before morning.
The normally serious business of scientific discovery or protecting the city had been laid aside for the moment, and the scientists and Marines laughed and chattered happily amongst themselves as they walked away from the jumpers toward the village. Teyla watched with interest as the more longtime expedition members greeted her people with hugs or handshakes, then introduced the Athosians to the more recent arrivals to the city. It wasn't long before the two groups blended in a sea of red coats and the long, fur-lined dusters worn by the villagers.
Teyla smiled as Stackhouse draped one arm over the shoulders of a young Marine and tugged the young man along at his side.
"Relax. You're going to have a great time," Stackhouse said to the Marine. He glanced around at the people mingling nearby and waved to Therin. "Therin! Come meet my friend Paul."
Therin smiled and walked over to Stackhouse. "Hello," he said with a nod to the Marine. "Mother has made more of the fruit pies you enjoy," he added to Stackhouse. "She wanted me to tell you to come find her as soon as you arrived."
"Best not to keep her waiting," Stackhouse said as he draped his other arm over Therin's shoulders, and they walked toward the village. "You are in for a treat," Stackhouse said to Paul. "Darsan is an amazing cook. Her fruit pies are something to die for."
A few moments later, Teyla heard all three men laughing as they walked back toward the village.
The last jumper landed, and Teyla waited until the snow settled again before making her way over to the ramp. Several scientists greeted her as they walked down the ramp, and Doctor Brown held up a box as she greeted Teyla with a smile.
"I hope there are enough," Doctor Brown said as she handed Teyla the box. "If you need more, let me know."
"Thank you, Doctor Brown," Teyla said with a nod as she took the box.
"Katie," Katie replied. "Please call me Katie."
"Katie," Teyla replied.
Katie smiled and squeezed Teyla's hand. Her smile faltered as she glanced back into the jumper, and she stepped back. "I should, umm, go," she said to Teyla with another glance at the jumper.
"Is everything all right?" Teyla asked.
Katie gave her a weak smile. "I had hoped …" She sighed and shook her head. "It's not important," she said. She gave Teyla a weak smile and followed the last of the scientists walking toward the village.
"Come on, Rodney, you're holding up the party," Sheppard said a moment before he walked down the ramp and waved to Teyla.
Teyla glanced at Katie's retreating back as the pieces fell into place. It appeared Rodney was still doing his best to ignore her, Teyla realised and shook her head.
"Teyla," John said and stepped off the ramp. He took a deep breath and blew it out with a smile.
"Colonel," she replied, pleased to see Sheppard so relaxed. "Doctor Beckett," she added as Carson followed John down the ramp.
"Teyla, lass," Carson greeted. He studied her for a moment and asked, "How are you holding up?"
Teyla adjusted her hold on the box and glanced back at the village. She had returned to the village to help with the last-minute decorating of the village because she had always loved the festive look of the garlands and the smells of all the cooking. She hadn't expected the lump in her throat as she strung the lanterns and decorations outside of Charin's tent. She had also found herself wiping the tears from her eyes more than once as she saw Rada or Iranda performing some part of the preparations that had always been Charin's job in the past.
"I will be fine," she said in a whisper to Carson.
"Yes, you will," he replied.
"McKay!" John hollered into the jumper.
"Yes, yes, I'm coming," Rodney groused, and a few moments later, he limped down the ramp wearing not only the standard-issue red coat but a knitted cap and a pair of thick gloves.
"I told you it wasn't that cold," Ronon said as he followed Rodney, his leather duster open to the weather.
"Maybe not for you," Rodney grumbled and tried to get a better grip on the cane. "I've done hypothermia once. I'm not interested in doing it again."
"There will be a fire in the village after the feast," Teyla assured him as Ronon took the box from her.
"What about before?" Rodney grumbled as Carson tucked Teyla's hand in the crook of his arm, and they led the way back to the village.
They entered the village square a few minutes later, and her team's reaction was everything Teyla could have hoped for.
"Whoa," John said as he stopped and stared at the transformed square.
Rodney stopped beside him and made a silent whistle as he looked around the village.
Brightly lit paper lanterns hung outside every tent, their warm glow offering more than enough light to navigate the village in dim afternoon gloom. More lanterns hung from poles lining the edge of the square, and colorful ribbons and garlands made from dried berries were wrapped around and draped between the poles.
The villagers had combined four smaller tents to form one large tent to accommodate everyone attending the feast. The side facing the square was open and more lanterns hung from the tent supports wrapped with garlands of berries. Tables against one wall of the tent held trays of roasted meats and cooked vegetables, baskets of fruit, fresh bread, and fruit pies, and the whiskey-soaked cakes had pride of place at the end of the table. Long rows of tables with benches lined the rest of the tent.
Ronon set the box of books just inside the tent, and Teyla led them over to the food tables. She filled her plate and accepted the mug of beer Halling handed to her.
"Compliments of Teg," he said.
Teyla took a few swallows of beer and smiled. "Some of his best yet."
Halling nodded and pulled another pint for John standing behind her. "You will still want to lead the procession, won't you?" Halling asked as he handed the mug to John.
"Of course," Teyla replied and felt a pang that Charin wouldn't be walking beside her.
Rodney glanced from the cane to the plate in his hands, grimacing at the row of empty mugs beside Halling. Ronon shook his head and held up two fingers to Halling.
"Procession?" John asked once Ronon had his beer, and they walked over to one of the tables.
Teyla nodded. "After the feast, there is a bonfire in the fields. Families carry lit candles and walk together. Once everyone is seated, Halling lights the bonfire, symbolising the return of the sun. Families exchange gifts, and Halling and some of the others tell stories."
Ahh, John mouthed, and Teyla wondered at the odd expression on his face as he sat down at the table.
Ronon plunked down the two mugs of beer he held and his plate of food at one end of the table, sat, and started eating.
Rodney set his plate down next to John and turned back toward the food line.
"Where are you going?" Ronon asked, looking up from his meal.
"To get -" Rodney stopped speaking when Ronon shoved one of the beer mugs across the table.
"Oh, umm, thanks," Rodney replied. He set the cane on the ground beside him, and after a brief struggle with the bench, sat down.
"Ahh, so much like Christmas back on Earth," Carson said after they had been eating for a few minutes. "Family and friends all gathered together over good food," he took a swallow of beer, "and good drink. All that's missing is the carols."
Teyla noticed John start to say something and then jerk to one side. She saw Rodney glaring at Sheppard and assumed Rodney had kicked John under the table. John grinned back and went back to eating.
The sun set, and once everyone was finished eating and the dishes cleared away, several children walked up and down the tables handing out long, tapered candles. Teyla accepted her candle with a smile, and she noticed Rodney giving his candle a dubious look as the children moved on to the next table. Once everyone had a candle, Telus and Rada put out the lanterns in the tent, and Halling stood, barely visible, in the middle of the tent.
"On this longest night, we remember those we have lost in life's journey this year." Halling bowed his head, and everyone in the tent followed suit.
Teyla gripped her candle and tried to swallow the lump rising in her throat at the memory of Charin. She felt a hand on her arm, glanced up, and John squeezed her hand.
After a long moment of silence, a red spark lit Halling's face as he touched the spark to his candlewick. He held his candle out to the nearest table and lit Iranda's candle. Iranda turned to her neighbor with her lit candle, and Halling walked around the tent, lighting one candle for each of the tables.
"This is also a time of new beginnings," Halling said, returning to the middle of the tent. The light in the tent returned as the candlelight passed down the tables. "The darkness recedes as the light returns, and a new year brings new wonders and new friends." He paused and glanced around the tent. "Let us celebrate the returning of the light." He held up his candle and everyone raised their candles in reply.
"Beautiful," Carson murmured, and Teyla had to agree. The lighting of the candles was her favorite part of the celebration.
Halling lowered his candle a moment later and said, "Teyla Emmagan."
Teyla took a deep breath and stood. She ignored John whispering behind her, gripping her candle a little tighter as she straightened her shoulders. She had only taken a few steps when she heard a voice behind her.
"A little help?" Rodney asked.
Teyla turned around and saw John and Ronon standing behind her while Rodney tried to hold the candle such that he didn't burn himself, pick up the cane, and extricate himself from the long bench seat all at the same time.
Ronon rolled his eyes but took the candle while John helped Rodney stand and handed him the cane. Ronon handed back the candle, and John stepped up beside Teyla.
"What are you doing?" Teyla hissed at John and glanced at Halling.
"You said families walked together, right?" John asked and nodded to Rodney and Ronon standing beside him. Elizabeth, Carson, and Zelenka stood a few steps behind them. "Lead the way."
"Your people are your family, Teyla."
Teyla wiped a tear from her eye. Her people weren't her only family, she realised and gave John a watery smile. She stepped forward, and holding the candle clear, she touched her forehead to John's and whispered, "Thank you."
She stepped back and nodded to Rodney and Ronon. "Thank you," she said again, then took a deep breath and led the way out of the tent.
~*~*~*~ SGA ~*~*~*~
Teyla stood at the end of the hallway outside her quarters, watching the snow falling past the window in front of her. Every now and then, a gust of wind blew the flakes against the window, leaving wet streaks down the glass. More snow accumulated in the corners of the balcony outside, and Teyla estimated there would be several inches of fresh powder on the balconies and piers by morning.
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, warding off a chill from standing too close to the windows and thought back to the festival earlier that evening. As she had expected, the celebration had been bittersweet. She still missed Charin terribly but remembering John and the others walking with her at the head of the procession out to the bonfire, she realised she had found a new family even as she lost the last of her old one.
Teyla heard footsteps behind her but ignored it, assuming it was only someone returning to their quarters. She looked up in surprise when John leant against the wall on the other side of the window. "You okay?" he asked.
"I am doing better," Teyla replied with a smile.
John nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. The silence grew between them, and Teyla glanced out the window again.
"The first holiday is always the worst," he said softly several moments later, never looking at her.
"How -" Teyla started to ask but stopped when John pushed off the wall.
"Carson sent me to find you," John said, moving back down the hall. "There's something he wants to show you."
"Oh?" Teyla asked and followed John back to the transporter.
She expected John to lead her back to the infirmary and was surprised when instead, they stepped out of the transporter near the rec room.
"John? What is going on?"
"You'll see," John replied and led her into the rec room where Carson, Ronon, and Major Lorne stood waiting for her. Rodney sat on the bench for the keyboard with his foot balanced on a crate.
"What is all of this?" Teyla asked, looking from Carson to John.
"You mentioned to Colonel Sheppard that your people give each other gifts during the festival," Carson said. He stepped forward, holding out an oilskin tube balanced in his hands.
Teyla took the tube with a puzzled frown and pulled on the drawstring at one end. She peered into the tube, pulled out the sheet of heavy paper inside, and slowly unrolled it.
"Oh," she whispered, and tears sprang into her eyes when she saw the drawing of Charin.
"I remembered what you said about not having any pictures of Charin," Carson told her. "I spoke to Major Lorne, and he took care of the rest."
Teyla looked up from the drawing in surprise. "You drew this, Major?" Teyla asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Lorne said with a smile. "With some help from Doctor Beckett." He pointed to the drawing and added, "I don't normally draw people, so I hope it's good enough."
"It is perfect. Thank you, Major." Teyla squeezed Lorne's hand. She set down the drawing, turned to Carson, and hugged him. "Thank you, Carson. I will treasure this."
"You're welcome, lass," Carson replied as he returned the hug. "I hope it helps to ease some of the pain."
Teyla wiped her eyes as she stepped back and nodded.
"There's something else," John said and handed her a bundle wrapped in a piece of cloth and tied with a bit of string.
"What is this?" she asked, turning over the bundle in her hands.
"Open it," John said.
Teyla sat on the reclaimed jumper bench seat, untied the string holding the bundle together and peeled back the edges of the cloth. The first thing she saw was the small book Rodney had found in the tent on Athos.
"I thought I gave this to Halling," she said, opening the book. The long strings of symbols were as unfathomable as before.
"You did," John replied. "I asked Halling if I could borrow it for a little bit."
"For what purpose?"
"You told me you were afraid your people were losing their history." John tapped the small book and then nodded at the thick stack of papers held together with a metal ring. "I wanted to do something to help with that."
Rodney loudly cleared his throat.
"McKay might have helped," John amended with a cheeky glance at Rodney.
"Oh, good grief," Rodney grumbled and sat forward on the piano bench. "Sheppard asked, and I had Chaudhri translate the book." He picked up one of the smaller notebooks still in Teyla's lap. "I also had him make a translation key so your people can start working on any other old books you might still have."
Teyla paged through the stack of papers, stunned by what John and Rodney had done for her. For her people. "Thank you," she said. "This is …" She paused. "My people are in your debt."
"I also volunteered Corrigan to help with your other project," Rodney added as Teyla gathered the bundle together and re-tied the string. "He said he would stop by and talk to you in a few days."
"Other project?" Teyla asked.
"The blank books you asked Katie Brown for?" Rodney replied with a knowing glance. "It didn't take being a genius to figure out what you wanted them for. Once you have the books back, Corrigan will help you organise all of that information into something permanent you can pass along to the rest of your people."
Teyla sat on the bench seat, overwhelmed by what her friends, her family, had done for her. She wasn't sure how she would ever thank them enough for helping her save her people's past.
She ran her hand over the black book and glanced at the drawing. She had spent the last several weeks thinking she was now alone in the world. John, Ronon, Carson, Rodney, not to mention Lorne, and Rodney's scientists, proved that was far from the truth. Charin had been right, she realised. She could find her place within two different worlds and thrive in both.
She wiped her eyes and saw Rodney giving John a worried look. John shook his head and clapped Rodney on the shoulder.
"I'm going over to the mess hall," Ronon said as the silence in the room grew.
"I could eat," Rodney replied and reached for the cane balanced against the end of the keyboard.
"The feast on the mainland was only a few hours ago. How can you two be hungry again already?" Carson asked.
Ronon and Rodney gave Carson matching innocent looks, and Teyla laughed. "I brought back a basket of baked goods from the mainland. I will meet you all in the mess hall, and we can share them."
"Just so long as it isn't more of that cake," Carson said as they left the rec room. "I've had proper Scots whiskey with a lower alcohol content."
"I liked it," Ronon said, waving his hand over the sensor for the transporter.
"I'm sure," Carson replied and shook his head. "We'll see how much you like it tomorrow."
FIN