Please forgive me again in the delay of this. This particular story has been harder for me as said previously but I think as I struggle to write it, I finally know where I want to go. The first two were clearer to me and I was impatient to get it on paper so to speak. I am amazed and grateful for you wonderful feedback and encouragement as they really to inspire me to keep going. I promise I will not give up on this until completed. I cannot believe that you have truly enjoyed this saga or series and I only want to please you and perhaps that is what has made it a bit more difficult. I have read all of your feedback and I apologize for not responding directly, but thank you very very much. I have had to re-read my previous two of this series to stay on track and find direction. I know this chapter is not much action but next chapter things will ramp up. As always your feedback and comments are appreciated.

Chapter Three -Return

Tristan watched the king as the younger human eyed the gift of his forefather Evander. There was a gleam in his hazel eyes that was very readable. A slight upward tilt of his mouth added to that gleam as the king nodded his head approvingly. He looked back toward Tristan with a boyish enthusiasm that the Ancient had seen before but not for many years. Those had been good times, though initially challenging, and they had all been overcome with grief as they left the Armentarian worlds and their people behind. But it had been the only way to protect them-and here stood the embodiment of all their labor. The Armentarian people had kept their promise to prepare for the king; and the Order of the Pegasi had protected the line of Evander until the right time came-until the right one came.

"This is terrific. It almost makes all the stones worth it. Rodney is going to be really excited…well, at least Gen O'Neill will be. But what are these for…planetary defense? The Scabuer has many of the same capabilities."

"Yes my lord. The Scabuer is for quick insertion of a strike team. These are for planetary defense but can also accompany the Scabuer in support of a mission as you dictate."

Sheppard let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes. His head still hurt slightly; but he was mostly just exhausted. He sincerely hoped there were no more stones and, to be honest, he just couldn't imagine what else could possibly fit in his brain. It scared him to think what he could do with it. He had come to terms with his abilities but it still scared him nonetheless. He smiled self-consciously when he realized Tristan was watching him with curiosity. He coughed slightly. "Hey, are you sure George Lucas isn't an Ancient?"

Tristan laughed. "I am quite certain, my lord. The human imagination never ceases to amaze us."

"No kidding." Sheppard said moving away and toward the main chamber. "So what is the plan?"

"Plan, your majesty?" Tristan asked ducking his head as they walked through one doorway.

"Well, you called me over here, so to speak, so I am hoping that you would like to go back home and be part of the team to kick some Wraith butt?"

Tristan raised an eyebrow as he smiled. He bowed his head. "We are at your service, Your Majesty, but of course we would like to return-at least, most of us. Some of us should remain to maintain this base—those who are well integrated into society. With these ships we will have the opportunity to travel back and forth as is necessary, but some of your missions may require you to return here and the remaining Pegasi can assist you and protect you."

They entered the main hall through a beautifully carved wooden door. Sheppard noticed several coats of arms and also an intertwining of the same four symbols branded on his back. He sat in a chair at a table that looked very old. Its wood was dark with various knots and in the middle was an etched carving of the mythical horse Pegasus.

"Um," Sheppard said realizing something. "Aren't I breaking all kinds of treaties? I mean, I don't really have an official role here and everyone will kind of freak when they realize there is a strike force here on Earth."

"Yes," Tristan said thoughtfully. "Politics and mistrust. They will mistrust you. They will be quite upset if they find out."

Sheppard grinned mischievously. So let's not let them find out…just yet.

I agree.

Sheppard did a double take when someone walked past him and bowed. "You know he looks a lot like…what's his name. The guy in black in that movie with the hawk. What is his name? Rodney made me watch that after the battle with Vanitis. I can't believe he watched that movie."

"Etienne." Tristan answered with a smile. "Merely a coincidence."

Sheppard kept looking at the man. "I don't know. He really looks like him but that guy must be…well anyway Rodney is going to bug him for sure."

Tristan smiled and wondered who this Rodney was. "It seems that this Rodney that you speak of watches quite a bit of television."

Sheppard shrugged. "We all kind of do I guess. But you know it really is weird that two of you at least look suspiciously like some characters. He sat back in his chair with his arms behind his head. "So tell me Tristan. Why are you still here as an Ancient-un-aged or at least virtually un-aged. Your names, most of them anyway, sound very familiar…even…."

"Mythological?" Tristan finished.

"Yeah. Mythological. Your name, for instance, and where we are…Ireland…is not lost on me you know."

Tristan sat down. "As you know, much of mythology is based on fact but is often twisted through the ages as the oral tradition passes it down and various writers put their particular flavor to it."

"Like the goaul'd or the Asgaard?"

A flash of anger crossed Tristan's eyes though it was not directed at Sheppard. "No. The goaul'd were parasites who manipulated tradition to instill fear and to dominate. And the Asgaard were distant, though benevolent. They did not interact side by side."

"How, then, were you able to intervene with Earth? I thought that was against Ancient rules?"

"It became part of the rules later, after Evander and the rest of us came to Earth. We initially interacted as part of Earth's history. We built cities and defended them. We stayed as long as we could to protect Evander's and, frankly, our own lines. There were many more of us. Some had come with Evander and some had come as separate groups; but we all kept in contact with the other. The Order's sole purpose was to protect Evander and his line here on Earth, but others had different agendas-to further science or art or to just complete their natural lives free from the Wraith and try to forget what difficulties we had created in Pegasus. We helped the Earth humans, as much as we could, to fight against the goaul'd; but we tried not to interfere in the troubles humans created for themselves."

"How come you still look young, especially for someone over 10,000 years old?"

Tristan smiled slightly. "We had all ascended, so to speak. We could come and go as we pleased to this Earth. Many of us enjoyed working closely with the humans of your world-so like our own. After several thousand years a split occurred. Some wanted to join the others in the non-corporeal world. They forgot about Pegasus and did not come to Earth did not like what we had done here. Perhaps they were jealous, felt guilty, or were bored. I know not. They mostly wanted Evander because he was truly the most powerful and they feared what he could do on Earth. He had done so much on Pegasus and on Earth already. They grew more distant and more arrogant." Tristan looked disgusted as he spoke. His eyes became distant and his voice was bitter. "There would have been a war."

"Between the Ancients?"

"Yes."

"The more I learn about you, the less I really like."

Tristan sighed. "Yes. Well, I suppose I could understand that. But we had our petty and not so petty differences. Some, like Evander and those that followed him, truly cared for the people of Pegasus and the Milky Way. Some just did not care and lived in their own world of self-discovery. Some were 'bad seeds' as you would say-power hungry or became so later."

"Erebus."

"Yes, he was one. So to prevent conflict and to protect you and those who came before you, to protect not just you but his promise to Pegasus, Evander agreed to leave but we were allowed to remain on Earth as a compromise…"

"Immortality on Earth is some compromise."

"Yes indeed. It has not been without its sorrow, and there have been a handful of others allowed to do the same. Those who have opposed Evander's promise to Pegasus."

"Why?"

"A good many of my people believed that humans must learn to deal with their own issues…but before you say anything, a great number followed Evander and believed it was our responsibility to rid Pegasus of the Wraith. Evander was a great and charismatic leader-the most powerful of all Ancients as it was he who showed them the path of ascension. By making Evander promise to remain ascended apart from Earth…well, they could control him more. Of course he had his own purpose and that was that he could control them more."

Sheppard frowned. "You people truly have destroyed my image of you. I mean, maybe you and Evander and the rest of the order here kind of fit the image, but it all sounds like some Ancient soap opera with bad guys and everything. Not to mention you all gallivanting around Earth making history and mythology."

Tristan laughed. "All you need to know is that Evander was a great king, and he gave you many gifts...including us, I dare say." Tristan saw the worried look on Sheppard's face. "What is it, your highness?"

Sheppard hesitated. It was nothing new. It just overwhelmed him still that he was part of this drama and so much rested on his shoulders. He tried not to think of it but, "I am not really sure how to defeat the Wraith…I have all of this stuff in my head and I have no idea what to do with it." There. He had said it.

Tristan looked sympathetic as he leaned in and put a hand on Sheppard's shoulder. "We are here to help, your highness."

"Can't you call me John?"

Tristan bowed his head slightly. "As you wish…John. We must not worry on how to defeat all of the Wraith, only the one who is above all."

"What do you mean above all? I thought that the Wraith were independent of each other, run by Queens with fragile alliances."

"Aye, but search the memories that Evander has given you. There is one Queen who is mother to all others. Destroy her and it will be easy to destroy the others. They draw their strength from her."

"Is…is there a…king Wraith?"

Tristan looked distant for a moment and he smiled at a memory. "No. That was a last great battle Evander fought. It was a trap set by Erebus through his operatives including Evander's half brother." Tristan looked pointedly at Sheppard with compassion. "You have suffered, John, through the actions of Erebus. There is more suffering for all of us on the road before us; but there is also victory. You can defeat this Queen. The hardest part is finding her. She is well hidden like our worlds back in Pegasus, but only you can defeat her…only you. It may take time. "

Sheppard sighed. If asked, he would admit he was scared-the healthy fear that motivated you to get it right; but he also knew he had a lot of help; and something about Tristan reassured him. "We should get back to Pegasus. You must be ready to go back."

Tristan rose. "Yes, and it will be sad to leave your home world. It also has become our own after all this time."

"But you said we will be back."

"That we will."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

O'Neill looked at Scabuer and the small fleet of ships surrounding it. They were in the large hangar near the palace flight line. Lear and Terendale stood smartly in front of a number of troops neatly lined up in boxed columns. O'Neill started humming. He could feel a pair of eyes on him and he turned to Caldwell who raised an eyebrow. "Darth Vader's theme?" O'Neill shrugged slightly. "I don't know, doesn't it kind of remind you of it a little? Besides, I couldn't think of a the Jedi one…coincidentally, take a look at that guy." Caldwell turned and his mouth dropped open.

"Yeah, he looks like…"

"Qui Gon Jinn."

There was fanfare. Sheppard had called ahead and, apparently, there was a welcome ceremony for any returning Pegasi. There seemed to be a ceremony for everything and O'Neill wondered how Sheppard tolerated it; but the king rarely complained anymore. The general watched the 20 or so men walk behind Sheppard. They looked intimidating in their black leather and armor. They were tall and they were the legends of Earth. He looked back at Caldwell. "These men built Rome."

Caldwell nodded. "And most other kingdoms. All this time we wondered where the Ancients were and they were on Earth all along." O'Neill watched the small ceremony and, in particular Sheppard, as the king spoke in Ancient. Sheppard spoke that more and more now and it had become effortless.

"And they were there just for him," O'Neill said to himself, but Caldwell nodded. "Come on, time to meet the bad asses of our mythology."

McKay looked on in awe. He racked his brain at how it was possible that the resemblance could be so strong. One looked like Qui Gon and the other looked like Navarre. Of course the one was called Tristan and the other Etienne, but McKay could not believe all was just a coincidence. Yet for all his own curiosity, it was Daniel Jackson, standing beside him, who was nearly shaking with excitement. O'Neill had warned the anthropologist to keep his distance for a while; but that would be challenging for Jackson. To meet men of Earth's history was far too tempting. McKay was more eager to learn about the ships. There were just too many toys to keep up with and the scientific team of Atlantis was having a great deal of fun working with the scientists of Sheppard's kingdom. McKay looked at his friend and felt pride. Sheppard was striding down on the golden carpet looking every part the king-this time surrounded by some very intimidating bodyguards. McKay turned to Lorne. "Looks like the imperial guard just grew."

Lorne was not a jealous man and never looked a gift horse in the mouth.

"Yeah," he said quietly and with a smile, "Our ability to kick ass just multiplied exponentially."

McKay nodded absently. These Ancients had brought a calm even to his nerves. "Weird resemblance though, don't you think?"

Lorne shrugged not giving anything. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Great lords of our Ancient times. Those who walked with Evander…welcome home!" Saphides said enthusiastically after the official ceremony. The four guardians bowed deeply in front of Tristan and the other Pegasi. "We are honored to have you with us once more!"

Tristan smiled warmly and glanced at Sheppard before looking back at the guardians. "Thank you, Guardian Saphides. Thanks to each of you for protecting the legacy and preparing the way for Evander's heir, our king Armentarius. Together may we all restore peace to this galaxy."

Sheppard looked at Saphides. "I guess this is another excuse for a party?"

Saphides and the others laughed. "Yes, your majesty. But of course we need time to arrange this celebration, and I am sure our visitors wish to return to their lands."

Tristan sighed. "Yes we would like permission to spend some time reacquainting ourselves, and for some," Tristan said looking toward a group of younger Pegasi, "introducing to what we left."

"Take what time you need." Sheppard said as they walked toward the doorway. "We seem to have quite a few parties around here. You are also just in time for a wedding in a few days." Sheppard saw O'Neill and Caldwell standing off to the side. "Tristan, I want you to meet some special folks. Actually, there are quite a few of them but I won't overwhelm you right now." Sheppard strode up to O'Neill. "Tristan, this is General Jack O'Neill."

Tristan clasped O'Neill's hand. "Yes the descendant of Capys. We had lost track of you recently."

"Yeah, I'm kind of like that," O'Neill said with a half grin. "Just trying to keep Caldwell, here, out of trouble."

Tristan laughed as he turned his eyes to Caldwell and shook his hand. "Very nice to meet you."

Caldwell was going to say something when O'Neill patted the retired colonel on the back. "The good Viscount here is soon to be hitched, so forgive him if he looks a little shell-shocked. All this planning has taken a toll."

Tristan laughed along with Etienne who was standing nearby. "Well, Viscount. We are happy to have made it in time for this occasion. Who is the lucky bride-to-be?"

"The lady Shimon of Arcadia," Caldwell said with a glare at O'Neill. The truth was he had been exhausted with all the protocol and procedures. He thought this marriage alone would rival that of the any of the Earth royals. He still did not believe in royalty and privilege, but these were good people and certainly were not entitled-at least not most of them. He had worked hard all his life and had come from very meager means so it would be a challenge for him-maybe like it had been for Sheppard-though their backgrounds and current purposes were so different.

"So you shall join the Guardian families," Tristan said with a smile. "Arcadia is the land of Etienne here and of Jean-Pierre as well as Gaius and August. I am looking forward to the green of my own lands on Quidari."

"The Keepers have maintained the lands of the Pegasi for as long as we have preserved Evander's throne," Saphides said quietly, "Though it is no consolation for being gone so long, we hope you will be pleased."

Tristan put a hand on Saphides shoulder. "Guardian, if our lands have been kept as well as you have preserved the king's lands and his throne, then we are quite fortunate. Your families have done a remarkable job for all this time. We should never have doubted."

Saphides bowed slightly. They had worked hard and at times feared they had lost faith, but now it all came together.

"Well, plenty of time later for meeting people and talking," Sheppard said stifling a yawn. He had hardly slept on the way back as he updated Tristan and the others on the current state of affairs, "You should get settled. See you in a couple of days. Lear and Rodney-someone else I want you to meet-will be looking over these new gifts in the meantime."

Tristan nodded slightly. "Then we take your leave, Your Majesty." As they left, O'Neill called out. "Don't eat too much for the next few days…these people know how to throw a party." Etienne looked back, bemused. "Seriously, they do!" O'Neill finished with a look at Sheppard.

Caldwell walked along with Sheppard and O'Neill. "It must be odd to return to a place after 10,000 years. I can only imagine what kind of adjustment that is going to be."

"I don't know. Maybe it will hit them later. We talked a lot on the way back and they have pretty realistic expectations."

"You said about half of them remained on Earth."

"Yeah. They were a lot younger, second generation to some of the Pegasi that had ascended with Evander. They had more ties to Earth and had either only been here when they were very young and then fled with their fathers of the Order; or were actually born on Earth."

"All of them are men?" Caldwell asked as they cleared the building into a courtyard

"Yes. Some were married and took their wives and children with them; and others were separated, like Evander." Sheppard sighed and for a moment the memory of those separations flooded him and he felt only anguish and sadness. He swayed a little and felt O'Neill's steady hand on his shoulder.

"You okay?" the general asked keeping his hand on Sheppard. Caldwell stood on the other side for support but did not move.

"Yeah. Just fine. Sorry." What could he say? Could he say that he felt the memory of those separations heaped on him like a smothering weight of grief, homesickness, and the pain of separation from loved ones? For what? It was in the hope that he could use everything shoved in his brain and defeat an enemy the entire race of Ancients could not defeat. He had not felt the burden of that responsibility for some time, but to see how these men and others had left their home world was sad. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to return knowing that everyone they knew was gone. He felt almost ashamed that so much had been sacrificed for him. He shook the thought away. He knew it was a road that was useless to walk. What was, was. And besides, he hadn't asked to be in this position. "I guess it's just jet lag. I don't even know what day it is."

O'Neill exchanged a look with Caldwell. "Oh, okay. Well, it's Friday, Atlantis time, and somebody has a bachelor party in two days."

Sheppard smiled. "Haven't been to one of those in a really long time."

Caldwell laughed. "You? It's been even longer for me. I'm a little worried, though, because I let Jack plan it."

Sheppard stifled another yawn. He was tired but looking forward to the next few days. He new hard times were ahead but there was something comforting about having the people he trusted around him from both old and new worlds. "I would be worried too, sir, if I were you. Honestly, what were you thinking?"

Caldwell smiled warmly at Sheppard. It still surprised him when the pilot called him 'sir.' He genuinely cared for the young king. Sheppard had stayed the same and yet had changed-all at the same time. "I wasn't thinking."

O'Neill grinned mischievously and waved as he said good night.

"Good night, John," Caldwell said as he turned toward his chambers. They were staying at Sheppard's palace for the rest of the week because of the events. "You sure you're alright?"

Sheppard nodded. "Fine. I'll see you tomorrow."

Sheppard turned toward his own chambers. It had been a long trip and he was tired, but he smiled when he saw the silhouette on the terrace. He knew who it was, and he immediately smiled. The moon was behind her so he could not see her face but he could sense her reaching out with her mind. He memorized that image of her as she stood there waiting for him to approach.

Teyla could feel him reaching out to her and embracing her with his mind. She waited for him and for a moment had to suppress a laugh when he stepped in a shadow and all she could make out were the spikes in his hair.

"I wondered how long it would take for you to get here," she said quietly as she embraced him.

"Well you know, traveling the galaxy, finding the lost Ancients stuck on Earth, preparing for parties…"

She laughed. "Yes, the life of a king is quite busy."

He sat with her on a bench and they looked at the moon's reflection off of a lake. "Have your people settled?" He had not talked to her for over a week. It was strange, though, as he always felt her presence. Even when he was on Earth he could sense her reaching out to him from time to time.

"Yes. They are quite settled and very happy. I feel so relieved that they will be safe and free from worry for a long time, but I fear the Wraith will come here."

"They might, but we will be ready," he said quietly. "The defenses here are significantly better with a lot more resources, and I plan to take the fight to them, one by one. I sense that there are a few key hives that need to be addressed first, then hopefully that will lure the High Queen out."

She looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean 'High Queen'?"

"Tristan told me of the Queen that is the mother of all Queens. If we can destroy her hive then the rest will follow."

She felt fear all of a sudden. Queens were dangerous. He had easily defeated one, but she knew it would take a toll and the mother of all…the thought made her shiver to her bones.

His hand slipped over hers. "Hey, don't worry. I am not doing this alone."

Teyla smiled for him-though her worry did not vanish. She stood. "I must go now, John. It has been a long week and I am sure you are tired."

"Yeah, I am. Dinner tomorrow?"

"Yes, yes. I shall look forward to it."

They exchanged a kiss and she embraced him before slowly walking away.

He watched her go and then sighed. He could feel her love for him and she no doubt felt his own, but they had little time together. He was not a prude, but he respected her; and as much as he wanted to be with her, they both had agreed to follow the traditions of this world. Abstinence from physical intimacy was expected and, as difficult as that was for both of them, it seemed to bring them closer together. He and Caldwell had talked about it a little.

Sheppard smiled to himself as he thought that never in a million years would he imagine that he would be having that kind of conversation with Caldwell. So much had changed in their relationships. O'Neill had truly become a mentor to him and Caldwell had joined the ranks of his guardian uncles and, frankly, would soon be part of the family. He entered his quarters and stretched out on his bed. He was thankful that he would have little to do at the wedding. He and Teyla had not set a date, nor had they talked of plans, but they knew it would not be for some time. He was glad she had her people here and that she had something other than the Wraith or war preparations to focus on. He closed his eyes to rest and made a note to visit Atlantis tomorrow. He grinned as he thought how odd that sounded, as if visiting another city across the far end of the galaxy was like visiting a store around the corner. His last thought before drifting off to sleep was what O'Neill had in store for Caldwell.

Already started next chapter and will keep working on it to get it up as soon as possible. Also please note that I have two other non SGA stories that I have written for Emergency and Flashpoint over the summer. I may post them just to see if I got the voices right on those but again those are written. Warmest regards!