Theia

The inner terrarium of the temple gardens is, in human terms, the size of four football pitches, arranged to form a large rectangle. It is pleasantly wooded with slim willsaw and taller broadleaved cuthard. Across the floor of the terrarium is a careful mix of wolf ferns, fairybells and giants' ease, meandering artfully through the trees to mimic a natural glade. Near the edges, a high hedge of thorn-thick protects the inner glade from prying temple eyes. There are only four exits, high arches cut into the hedge soaring some twenty cubits high, one on each side, leading to glass doors. Beyond this hedge, walls hewn from huge slabs of interlocking basalt-like stone hold up the roof. Reaching almost to the glass roof are the trees, ranging from fifteen to twenty-five cubits, short for their natural state but perfect for the terrarium.

Above the trees, the glass roof, a series of glass scales that can be opened or closed for natural ventilation, allow the green light to filter through, their shadows of their shape giving the impression of clouds scudding past. Towards one end of the terrarium is the gate pool, the temple complex built up around it thousands of years ago. The inner terrarium itself, sits within the temple gardens, a series of orchards and lawns running through the centre of the temple, connecting the outer courtyards, walkways, plazas and stairways with the rest of the temple buildings.

On a planet where once thousands of giants had lived, now only Theia and a handful of loyal retainers are left. Theia reaches the basalt walls of the inner terrarium to find two temple guards are already outside the only unlocked door. Lapyx with his wings outstretched and his silversilk bow drawn, and Horogia, her silversilk scythe at the ready. Theia smiles, once upon a time these two accompanied her in her exile here on Pantheon, the planet of the giants, making sure she would never leave. Now, they are more like companions than jailors.

'Probably another tree falling into the pool.' Horogia announces as Theia arrives, noting the giant's club at her side.

'My exile here is dependent on remaining forgotten and unfound. The Celestians and Spinners were very insistent on that point. No one who arrives here can leave here, you know that. I know that and they will know that or I will grind their bones…' Theia replies.

'It's probably just a tree…' Horogia repeats. 'You won't need your club.'

'You think I'm going to try and escape? Why would I leave paradise for a universe that hates me?' Theia asks petulantly.

'You gave them good cause to hate you, old friend.' Lapyx laughs. 'What kind of guards would we be if we let you near the gate pool with your club in hand?'

'The kind who know I am not interested in leaving, anyway you have your silversilk weapons, this is no match for them.' Theia twirls her club as if to demonstrate and Horogia sighs.

'Very well but, if someone has managed to come through the gate, we will deal with it. You must remain hidden, otherwise they cannot return to their homeworld.' Horogia opens the glass door. 'Lapyx and I will send them on their way, as long as they do not know where they are or who we are, they are free to leave. You must stay hidden in the tree shadows Theia and try to tread lightly.'

As Teal'c, Daniel, Kyna and Aelix wait in the pool, the trees seem to tremble and shake, as though a wind is rustling them. It takes Kyna a moment or two and then she pinpoints what is making her uneasy. Eyes watching her, in the distance, high up in one of the taller trees. She is about to whisper to the Aelix standing next to her what she has she spied when, on the other side of the pool, a couple of creatures emerge through the trees, one with a shining bow raised, the other with a scythe held aloft.

Aelix stares in surprise at them. The creature with bow must stand ten-foot-tall, large golden-feathered wings spreading out from its shoulders with the head, body and legs of a Celestian but the golden tail of a lion. His mind starts to run through all the known and mythical beasts he can think of, trying to work out what it is. The second creature seems almost impossible, one moment young, the next moment old, a woman is dressed in grey with long iridescent hair flowing like mist around her. She is holding a scythe, taller than her by several feet and she seems to almost float in the air… not in the air, in time itself, years slipping through her like the mists of time on Avalon, sometimes pausing, crystals of time falling into the mists gathering at the hem of her gown.

Teal'c draws himself up to his full height but this strange pair are much taller. He is about to challenge them when Daniel lays a hand on his arm, whispering 'Wait, we are no threat to them, yet.'

'Hello. My name is Daniel.' Daniel steps forward.

'Stop Celestian. You must leave immediately; you are not welcome here!' Lapyx announces, bow aimed at Daniel's chest.

'We are looking for the homeworld of the Giants…' Daniel trails off as the two creatures glance at each other.

'Leave now or stay forever.' Horogia points at the pool. 'Leave now!'

From the trees, where Kyna spied someone watching them, a loud voice announces. 'That's not fair, Horogia. They said they were looking for this planet. So now they must stay!' The voice is followed by the ground shaking and ripples spreading out across the pool as through the trees Theia emerges from hiding. Horogia rolls her eyes, 'I thought you were going to stay hidden!'

'How small they are.' Theia bends over, inspecting the Celestians in the pool. 'I had almost forgotten.'

'Theia, step back from the pool,' Lapyx moves between the giant and the Celestians, his bow now raised at Theia. 'These Celestians are our guests.'

Theia sighs and reluctantly steps back as Aelix suddenly announces. 'Death and Speed!' You are the mythological creatures, Death and Speed!'

Horogia laughs and shakes her head. 'My name is Horogia, the timekeeper and this is Lapyx, the winged breeze. Welcome to Pantheon Celestians, your new home.'

Aelix is about to argue that he and Kyna are not Celestians when he realises what Horogia has just said. 'What do you mean by 'our new home''?'

'Unfortunately, you have seen Theia and all who see her must stay here on Pantheon for the rest of their days.' Horogia indicates to the path through the trees nearby and adds. 'Now, please follow us and we will find rooms for you all.'

Daniel, Kyna, Aelix and Teal'c have no other option as Theia ushers them gently from the pool with a large hand. For now, they must do as their hosts say. As they exit the inner terrarium through an arch in the thorn-thick hedge, Lapyx locks the glass door behind them, the gate pool safe in its stone and glass terrarium and carefully tucks the key into his feathers so no one can escape and return home.