Author's Note: Italics mean spoke Abydonian. This chapter was extremely hard to write. I kept starting, stopping, restarting, and starting over. I hope this chapter does justice to the relationship I've been building for these characters.
Additionally, I have outlined the rest of this fic all the way to the end! Of course, barring a few one shot here and there. I can't believe I've finally gotten there; it's been a long ride and I'm grateful to everyone who's supported this story. The last few years were not easy, and I loved coming back to this story. If you have any ideas, recommendations or requests let me know. As always reviews are much appreciated, as are favs and follows. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Forty-Three
Vows
A large stack of books dropped down atop my desk.
"Ah," I jumped, nearly dropping the arm bands I'd been examining. Vala had finally agreed to disengage them from Daniel and herself. That had seemed that. Until she had gated away and Daniel fainted. Of course, if you asked him, he would say he passed out, much more manly sounding. All the same. Inexplicably he and Vala were still linked. Across a series of crazy hijinks though the Stargate, and one or two ex-husbands, it had been discovered that only time would negate the arm bands effects. And now Vala was stuck here, with Daniel. He was so happy.
Not.
Coming back to the present I scolded Skaara, "Hey these are very delicate."
Skaara just grinned, "We're getting married."
"Yes, I am aware." I said amused, "That is what engaged means." Shaking my head and went back to tinkering with the bands. I held one close to my face. The sharp metal tool I was using carefully pried open the power source's casing.
"No." He pushed my working hands down, "I mean right now."
"As in right now?" I looked around our office, half expecting a priest to appear. At not seeing one a part of me was genuinely disappointed.
Skaara blushed, flustered, "Well not at this very moment. But," he knelt down next to my chair like he was about to propose again, "After this past week and everything we've been through I don't want to spend another second not married to you."
My work was long forgotten, "Okay lets do it." I pursed my lips, "How should we do it?"
Bracing his hand on my desk he pulled himself up, "Hard on the knees," He explained and leaned against the desk's edge, at my look he cocked his head, "I'm not as young as I used to be." I patted his knee playfully as he continued, "We had always planned on getting married on Abydos. I know we never really talked about it after I had…" his face darkened, I knew who and what he was thinking about. After a moment, so quickly I could have thought I had imagined it, he went back to his bright happy mood. There was a time the thought of Klorel would not have been so easily brushed aside. Now he was no more than an unpleasant ghost and a few scars.
Skaara shook himself slightly, "Landry gave us all the week off. Now seems like as good a time as any."
"And Landry did say he wanted us to focus on non-work-related activities." I pointed out.
"We've been doing plenty of that." The look on his face made me blush.
"You know what I mean. And you're right." I said pushing aside my work, "We've waiting more than long enough." Grinning I thought about everything that would need to be done. It was a lot but not daunting as I would have thought.
Skaara's expression matched mine, "What all do you want?"
We settled in, getting comfortable for the long haul. Across the big table in the center of our shared office we spread out our note pas and made lists. I knew I didn't care about a big fancy wedding with the white dress and all the trimmings. The first time we planned our wedding was way way back. Before having the wedding on Earth had even an option. In fact, I never thought I'd set foot on my home planet again.
"Woah!" The thought brought me up short for a minute. At Skaara's slightly started glance I shrugged, "We've been engaged for almost," counting off my fingers, "eight years. That's got to be a record or something."
Mirth shone on his face, "Among my people it most likely is."
Back before the stargate program, leaving Abydos, any of it, we were going to be married in but a few short weeks after we had been engaged.
"Alright back to it then," I ran through the list of who we wanted to attend in my head, " I'd still like to have it on Abydos. I mean if you would."
"Of course. My Father will be glad to see you after your awakening."
"It will be good to see Good-Father again." The last time I had seen Kasuf had been when Daniel and I had returned to Abydos one year to the day after Skaara and Sha're had been taken. That day had not been a joyous occasion. This time however, it would be different.
To get official permission we had gone to Landry first who, lucky for us, wasn't busy. He had given us the go ahead for our plans. Surprisingly, it had not taken, much, if any convincing. We already had the time off and we didn't plan to be gone longer than a few days. Most SGC missions were far far longer.
When all was said and done, we had decided upon a more or less traditional Abydonian marriage ceremony with a few hints of Earth thrown in. Kasuf, being the chief, would be officiating the marriage. We were going to wait until this coming weekend so Cassie would not miss any school.
Next, we had to wrangle together our friends and family. It was late into the night, but we had called almost everyone we wanted coming to the wedding. Sam was flying in at the end of the week. Teal'c would meet us there from his democratic talks on Dakara. Cam was going to tag along. For the short time I'd known him he was a pretty decent guy. Even Hammond decided to peek his head out of retirement to make one last trip through the Stargate. Daniel had to of course bring Vala. He and I both agreed that we needed to keep her away from the lower levels of the Great Pyramid. Particularly away from Ra's treasure hoard. Even Janet was coming.
There was just one person left.
"Hello," Jack's cheerful voice answered the phone after the second ring.
Wow that was quick, especially for him, "Hi Jack it's Erin. Hey Skaara and I wanted to ask a question."
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Blue light reflected around the room from the active Stargate. Sometimes I got so caught up with life here at the SGC I forgot how uniquely beautiful the sight was.
"I will see you soon." Skaara stood beside me. It had been a long amount of time since I'd seen him in his tradition Abydonian garb. He would be going to ahead to make preparations. Not that Abydonian wedding had much preparation or fanfare, if any at all. Heck Daniel hadn't even realized he'd accepted marriage with Sha're until a few days later.
I gave his hand a small squeeze. Truthfully, I would have wanted to do more but we were in the center of a military base surrounded by a lot of people who, at the moment, were just trying to do their jobs. Would have been a bit awkward to say the least. "I love you."
"And I you." He said and stepped though.
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It was time and we all gathered in the gate room awaiting Walter to dial it up. Daniel and I were in Abydonian robes. I forgot how much I missed wearing them. So much better than the BDU I was now used to putting on. Everyone came down to meet us. Hammond had given me a hearty hug as he came into the Gate room. Besides the complete lack of hair now, he hadn't really aged a day.
Everybody was wearing the typical off world get up, only with handguns instead of P-90's. Abydos was an ally planet, that didn't mean that the unexpected couldn't happen. Once we were to the city everyone planned to change into more fitting attire any way. Cam and Hammond would be wearing their military dress uniforms. As this wasn't a military event Jack, Sam and Janet had elected to wear more casual suits. Which was a good thing, especially for Sam and Janet. The heels that they would usually wear as part of their military dress uniform would have become a problem in all the sand once we got beyond the pyramid.
When it came to Vala. Well, I'd been a bit reluctant to let her into my closet. She had seen my bathing suit and wagged her brows. I told her under no circumstances was she wearing that to my wedding or to anywhere else. Ever. She'd ended up with a pair of my jeans and a red tank that I made sure was clear I'd better get back.
Cassie was still keeping her distance. When Skaara and I had told her about us getting married we had emphasized that if she didn't want to come it was more than alright. But if she did come, she would be welcome and loved. I was overjoyed when she agreed to come. She even let me help her pick out a dress, a calf length rose printed one.
Walter finished the dialing sequence and the Gate whooshed to life.
"Ms. Clark." Landry spoke through the mic in the control room, "We're receiving confirmation from Abydos. You and yours have a go. Godspeed."
"Thank you." I called back and we all stepped through.
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Kasuf was waiting for us on the other side with his Earth radio. As soon as Daniel and I appeared he was rushing to us.
"Good-Son! Good-Daughter!" Kasuf greeted us warmly with a kiss on our foreheads. He wrapped me firmly in an embrace. Gods I missed him. He hadn't changed much. Sure his face had a few more wrinkles and his hair was greyer and there was less of it. For the first time, in a long time, I felt a glimmer of what it was like to have a father again.
Kasuf pulled back and beamed at our group. "You have returned. When my son arrived through the Chappa'ai and told me of the news," he clapped his hands together, "I did not think it true until your arrival. Come! Come!"
A man stood off to the side, a woman and a small boy by his side. When we got closer I nearly whooped with joy, "Nabeh! My friend!"
"It is good to be seeing you again!" he said as we clasped arms, his face still bore his boyish goffy grin. Bringing his two companions closer he introduced his family, "This is my wife Amralis and my son Jack."
At seeing his namesake Jack knelt down to the little boy no older than three, "Well hello there." He took the boys plump hand and shook it, Jack's hand completely enveloping the little one's.
Little Jack stuck his thumb in his mouth and turned his face into his mother's skirts shyly.
My memories flashed back to when Nabeh and I saved each other's lives here at this every pyramid. And to think this beautiful family almost never happened.
Nabeh tousled the boys long hair, "It took you a long time to marry that idiot?"
My cheeks flushed, "Not for lack of trying."
Kasuf led the group out of the gate chamber. There was a ways to go to get to the city. By the time we exited the Pyramid the sun was far beyond its zenith, which brought the ambient temperature down to a more bearable level for the Earthlings.
"Where is Skaara?" Jacks asked running to catch up Dani, Kasuf and I, "I thought he'd be here to meet us?"
"Well we decided to sort of blend an Earth and Abydonian marriage." I told him.
"Meaning?" Jack was getting a bit exasperated.
I was going to respond but Dani beat me to it, "Its bad luck for the groom to see the bride."
"Ah." Jack cocked his head to the side, "I'm an idiot."
"Yeah," I agreed hooking my arm though his, leaning my head on his arm, "That's why we love you."
"Insulting a General is a court-martial-able offence." Jack mocked hurt.
"And I'm not military." I pointed out smugly.
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Once inside the city gates I was led away by the women to prepare.
"Where are you going?" Jack tried to follow on to be swatted at by the older women.
"To get ready." I answered over my shoulder.
"How am I supposed to Shaloke? What do I do?" Jack asked.
"Daniel and Skaara will tell you."
"I got you Jack, come on." Daniel led his on the opposite direction.
I was taken inside one of the larger tents towards the back of the city. When the time came Daniel would come and lead me out to just beyond the gates where everyone would be waiting.
The women elders set about preparing me as per tradition. To say I was nervous was an understatement. But I quickly felt at home. Many of these women I'd lived with before I returned to earth. One I'd assisted during a few births, another I'd taught children along-side.
Sam and Janet came inside the tent. As the closest women I had to family, they would be helping me while the elders supervised.
The elders scoffed and tugged at my short-shorn hair. For a woman to have hair as short as mine was practically unheard of on Abydos. Finally deciding to plait it and tie it at the back of my head. The knot was reminiscent of a Celtic knot. A few wisps fell around my check and my fringe was just below my eyebrows.
When I opened my bags and produced the fabric that was to make up my marriage dress the elders murmured in approval. They set about helping me into it as it was several yards of fabric that had to be wrapped and layered in just the right way.
"This is beautiful" Sam said while she twisted the material around one of my arms so the fabric billowed like a bell sleeve.
"It is." Janet agreed taking a pin from between her teeth and pinning the back of my dress.
White was not a practical color for the desert. Skaara had suggested it, even sort of pushed for me wearing the color as it was traditional for Earth. I'd told him that my dress would be a surprise. Looking down at myself, I hoped it would be.
"Thank you for agreeing to this."
"Of course." Janet waved nonchalantly.
Yeah, it beats a crazy Vegas bachelorette party any day." Sam
"I feel like there a story there."
"Yep," Sam confirmed, "And you'll never, ever hear it."
"Janet?" I turned to my other best friend.
She put her hands up in surrender, "No. I know nothing."
"But really. This means so much to me. Thank you."
Sam finished the other sleeve, "Anytime. Good luck up there," And hugged me.
"See you soon." Janet embraced me and then she and Sam headed for the city gates.
I was all done. Needing a moment of fresh air I stepped outside the tent. All the men in the wedding, besides Daniel, would by now be waiting beyond the city gates so there was no risk of Skaara seeing me before it was time.
I took a seat and leaned my head against the soft tent material. I wondered what Skaara was going to wear. I know he wanted it to be special, although I doubted he would have gotten a tux. Come to think of it I just couldn't picture him in a tux or any suit for that matter. It just wasn't him. However, he was just as handsome in his tradition robes as he was in his military BDUs. Which was saying something, not many people could pull those off.
Suddenly I heard rustling coming from around the large oblong tent. I tensed, ready to make a break for it in case I saw those tell-tale dreadlocks. It would be just like him to get impatient.
However, who walked around the corner was someone else entirely, "Cassandra." I breathed out.
"Hi." She shuffled her feet.
"You look beautiful." I stood and gestured at her dress.
"Thank you. So do you." She was fiddling with her long hair.
Without thinking I reached over and pushed a lock behind her ear, "You really are growing up to be an amazing woman."
"Thank you." She ran her fingers threw her hair, frowning when they got caught in a snag.
"Is there something wrong with it?"
"I just can't figure out what to do with my hair"
"Here I can help." I said bringing her inside the tent. Most of the elders had already begun their trek to the gates so we had the place to ourselves. I would be the last to head to the gates when the time came.
We both sat, me on a small cushion and her on a pillow on the ground so I could better reach her hair, "Thank you." She said.
I took a hairbrush and began running it though her strands.
"So this is where you and Skaara lived before earth."
"Yes." I brushed all her hair to her right side, careful to get out every snag. And began to French braid it. It was something I could never do on myself and I never really had anyone else to do this for except for Cassie when she was younger. Gods it only felt like last week I was doing this for her in the mornings before school.
She leaned her head so it was easier for me to grasp the strands, "I remember you doing this for me. I missed it." She was silent while I worked for about five minutes before she spoke again, "Abydos reminds me of my home." Her voice held no small amount of sadness.
"Really?" I felt my eyebrows raise in surprise.
She paused, "Well not the sand and the desert. But the people. Everyone working together. How close they all are. Earth is great it's just so big."
"Skaara never brought you here?"
"No, he didn't want anything to happen if I went off world. He did bring Kasuf to Earth a few times. Tell me something about this place."
I was almost done with her hair. A bright red piece of fabric lay on a table nearby and I used it to tie around the end of the braid. The color complemented the roses on her dress, "Well," I thought for a moment and then, "Look up."
We both did. Above us where the poles of the tent connected was an open circle. This allowed for cooking to be done safely and for the tent to be kept cool during the day. Now, in the early evening the opening allowed for Cassie and I to clearly see the Abydonian moons. All three of them. One was very large, probably twice the size of our moon back home.
"Wow." Cassie's eyes lit up, "I'd gotten so used to seeing only one back home."
"The largest one is called Edfu, and the other two are called Dja'Net and Nuturo." I finished the knot around Cassie's hair and sat it on her shoulder, "After we defeated Ra and begun rebuilding a sort of peace set in. We were able to really take in this planet and I couldn't get over the three moons. Skaara thought it was so funny and strange that I was amazed by so simple a thing as the moons."
"I wasn't so different when I came to earth."
"You're right. I'm glad I was able to bring you here."
"Me too." She stood and straightened her dress. Then tugging on her braid, "Thank you."
"Your welcome," I said feeling some of the distance between us shorten. Not by much but it was enough.
"Hey um." She fidgeted with her dress, "I just need some time, alright." She placed her hand on my shoulder, "But we'll get there."
That gave me some hope, "Take all the time you need."
"Ok." Cassie's eyes were a little watery, as were mine. In motions that almost were a mimic of each other we brushed away the wetness on our cheeks, "I'm going to head to the gates." She jerked he thumb over her shoulder.
"I'll see you there." I waved as she exited the tent.
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There was nothing else to do but wait for Daniel to come so he could give me away.
"Wow!" Daniel whistled when he saw me, "You look…?"
"Thank you." I felt my face flush.
"Skaara's favorite color." Daniel playfully tugged at my sleeve.
"Do you think he'll like it?" I asked suddenly worried and self-conscious. I wasn't some young teenager with a crush and yet I sure felt like one at this moment.
Daniel grinned, "I think he might have a stroke."
"What?" I giggled, bordering on hysterics. Oh boy this was finally happening.
"But a stroke in a good way."
"Is that even a thing?"
"Maybe."
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Unlike an Earth wedding, both sides of the wedding intermingled as one large crowd. As Daniel and I reached the back of the gathering they parted allowing us threw and then coming back together as we passed.
I tried to stand on my tip toes to see over the heads of the crowd, trying to glimpse Skaara. Damn my shortness, I couldn't see over anybody's heads! And the thick, lacy veil I wore over my face didn't help matter's much.
Daniel snickered at my predicament, "Try to be patient."
"I've been patient for years, I think I've reached my limit." I said straining my neck.
"We're almost there."
When I passed by our teammates and friends I felt a warmth building in my chest. This, this is what we were fighting for, moments like this. As I passed by Teal'c he held his hand out and I squeezed it, thankful he was able to be here. Then I reached for Sam and then Janet. When we got to Hammond I enveloped him in a hug, besides Jack he was as close to a father figure I'd had on earth.
Then I saw him.
Kasuf and Jack stood on either side of him near a simple alter. Skaara wore an ornate light yellow and orange robe that was nearly the same color and the setting sun that lit the three of them from behind. He was perfect.
Holy Hannah this was really happening.
Skaara stood by his father proud and strong. Composed. He embodied the very essence of the next Chief of Abydos. Then our eyes met.
He went slack jawed and eyes wide. Crossed arms fell to his sides.
Jack, more than a bit concerned, bumped his shoulder. No reaction. Oh no! Was he actually having a stroke?
My feet seemed to get a mind of their own and I darted forward, only Daniels' arms hooked around mine kept me in place. Unsubtly I was snagged back into step with Daniel. If not for that I probably would have tackled my future husband.
"What's I say about patience?" Daniel's face was red with mirth.
Teal'c was the first to throw his head back with hearty laughter. Then the rest of our gathered loved ones joined in. Kasuf shook his head good naturedly and beckoned Daniel and I forward.
We stopped and Daniel untangled his arms from mine and took my hands, "I wish Sha're and our parents could have been here." He said kissing my cheek.
"They are." And without a doubt I knew they were.
Daniel then handed me off to Skaara. Who, thank the God's had regained his composure. Tho he bumbled a bit taking my hands from Daniel. I think if they hadn't actually been attached to my arms he would have dropped them on the ground.
"You're beautiful." He at last managed to squeak out.
"So are you." I could feel the amusement coming from our friends around us but for once I didn't feel embarrassment. Even when Jack snickered beside Skaara I didn't feel a single twinge. That was how I felt I was I far too happy to let anything bring me down.
"I should have known," He said lifting my veil which matched my dress, "Blue."
I smiled looking down at the swirls and patch words of blues and light greens, "Its your favorite color." Just as he knew that sunsets were my favorite time of day and his robes reflected that perfectly. In theory our attire should have never worked, just as I never imagined we could, and yet together they complemented each other.
"Yes," he brushed his thumb under my right eye, "But my favorite shade is right here." He said leaning forward and I closed my eyes.
Suddenly Kasuf was right between us, "Ahh not yet."
A wave of joyous laughs erupted from the crowds. Skaara's beet red face matched my own.
Kneeling before the alter Kasuf handed Skaara and I a small lit candle. Before us were four bowls filled with fragrant herbs and incense. One each for my mother and father. One for Skaara's mother and one for Sha're. Not for the first time I wished I had been able to meet Skaara's mother, she must have been a wonderful woman to have raised both him and Sha're. Grasping the candle together we lit the bowls to honor the dead and to ensure they would not be forgotten by either of us as we began our joined life. Once we were done and we lifted the candle to our faces and blew it out as one.
We remained kneeling while Kasuf began arms outstretched "We are here to witness the bond of two people. It is by their will and strength alone that they stand before you now. My Son. My Daughter. Today they pledge their lives not to gods or laws, but to each other."
Out of the corner of my eyes I say both Daniel and Teal'c translating for my Earth family. And just when I didn't think my heart could feel any fuller.
As Shaloke Jack reached atop the alter and picked up a small stone carved box and handed it to Skaara. Skaara opened the box and slipped a simple silver band on my left ring finger. It bore no gems or finery, save for a tiny engraving of Skaara's name in Egyptian hieroglyphs. Turning my hand over to admire the ring I gasped when I recognized what the ring was made from. Skaara's zippo lighter! There on the back of the band was a small fragment of the lighter's logo. Jack winked and stepped back into his place at Skaara's side. Of course, it'd been his idea. The lighter had been what got me through some of the darkest days in my memory, and now I could keep a piece of it close always. This was more precious to me than all the gold in the tombs of the pharaohs'.
"Airen. I make you this vow." He said kissing the ring on my hand, "I can't promise that there will always be enough food or water. I can't promise that life will always easy and without heartache." I saw his eyes light up when he saw I recognized his vow. It was exactly what he said years ago when he asked me to marry him, "But I can promise that I will love you from now until the day I die." Then with a cocky smile he added, "And perhaps even past then. That is if you'll have me." When he had proposed he'd been shy and anxious. He hadn't even been able to meet my gaze until I had said yes. Now he confidently awaited my answer.
"Of course," I sighed as we leaned in close.
"Not yet." Kasuf gently forced us part, clearly getting exasperated. Jack just rolled his eyes.
Now it was my turn. Jack gave me the stone box and inside was a nearly identical ring with my name carved in Hieroglyphs, no doubt made from the lighter as well. "Skaara." I placed the ring on his hand. Jack had done good. Both rings fit perfectly. "I make this vow to you. I will always come back to you. And I will always love you." Intwining our hand so our rings connected, "If you'll have me."
"Absolutely." Skaara slipped into English. Our friends who had been listening to Daniel and Teal'c translate laughed raucously.
"Now, under the eyes of our ancestors these two are one. Let it be known." Kasuf nodded knowingly at his son, "Now."
"I love you." Skaara said.
"And I you." I grasped his chin and brought our faces together.
Cheers erupted and someone tossed flowers at us. A few caught in our hair. We barely noticed.
"About time." A woman shouted. Janet, I think.
"Indeed."
I didn't have to look to know who that was.
The ceremony ended just as the last rays of the sun faded behind the great pyramid.