This was to include the coronation ceremony, as Sheppard continues down the path of kingship, but felt like needed to add some POV from folks and little conflict with Sheppard still trying to make sense of it and maybe get out of it if he can. It got too long so next chapter we find Sheppard does not get out of it. He knows duty after all. Thanks for your reviews! Thanks to my beta Comanche-Antigo!
Chapter 8 Preparation
"Theosticles! Are you kidding me!?" Rodney exclaimed with a full mouth. He was Sheppard's dinner partner that night. "That is really cool. Do you remember much of anything else?"
"Other than speaking Ancient and some Wraith not really. Just pictures right now, but out of focus."
Rodney was looking at him wide-eyed. "You can speak Wraith?"
"Well, I don't know. I feel like I could, but it is on the tip of my tongue. I hate that feeling."
"Yeah, me too," Rodney replied. "Hey, so when is the coronation thingy?"
"Oh hell. I don't know. I don't think we need to have one," Sheppard said with a sigh. Everything was moving so fast but the information in his head was moving too slow. He knew he had to go through with it, that was part of the deal wasn't it? He just frankly felt embarrassed by the whole thing, and secretly worried that he would no longer have his solitude. Atlantis still offered him those moments, but he wasn't ruler of Atlantis.
McKay looked at him opened mouth. Then he looked at him angrily. "You can't just shirk your responsibility to these people...to all of us. "
Sheppard looked at him surprised as the scientist continued. "You are the king, colonel, despite what you want to believe and despite the fact that you may not want to be one. Whether you get crowned or not, does not change anything except that these people have waited 10,000 years for you."
Sheppard did not say anything but looked down. He should protest and be angry. It was his life, wasn't it? He knew McKay was right, so he said nothing. But was he really right? To him acquiring the information and leading a system of planets was quite different and did not necessarily have to coincide. But these people had waited for the heir, and made everything ready for just an event. It was not like they had to. The Wraith had not even been here. They had done this for the galaxy and to them both the information and the king did go together. Evander must have been special if they had wanted to meet his heir. People had a thing for long lost heirs and kings and things of that nature, but Sheppard was never one to be impressed by nobility. And he did not like all the attention especially since it was not related to anything he had done but rather to someone he was related to.
McKay stared at him and knew that his words perhaps had stung Sheppard. "I'm...I'm sorry, John. I did not mean..."
"No, Rodney. You're right. Really you are. I just- I'm just a grunt and all of this," he said, " Well hell, I felt okay on a base in the middle of the Antarctic as long as I could fly. Here people serving me, doing whatever the hell I want them to do..."
McKay nodded in understanding. He knew how to read between the lines. Like himself, Sheppard was really a loner at heart, but he had come to build a family on Atlantis and now that could change too.
"Colonel, you belong in this role. Really. I don't know why, but it just makes sense. I mean, it really did not even surprise me…despite my disbelief initially. Besides, from what I understand you can fly whatever the hell you want here whenever you want."
Sheppard grinned. "Yeah there is that." The Air Force of these planets was actually his. Heck even the president of the United States could not claim that.
"And, it is good for a person like me to have an inside with the king of a world that has the most advanced technology that we have yet encountered. I mean at least no bows and arrows or natives chasing us while we try to explore."
"Yeah, that too," He looked up at McKay. "I just thought…well maybe you would be pissed…even jealous." Sheppard had worried what his friends would think of him, how this would all change.
McKay did not look at him as he grabbed the dessert on Sheppard's plate. "Well…I am kind of jealous. I mean heck Sheppard you get all kinds of stuff…cool stuff handed to you and without even trying, you charm the pants off of everybody. But …" McKay added quietly, "You never really get anything for free. There always seems to be a catch…it just seems, well, like I said. You belong here. You won't go soft so let them pamper you a bit when you aren't fighting Wraith and Genii or any other crazy thing in this galaxy bent on killing us. But, would you please send some of those attendants of yours my way to make me a bath or something?"
Sheppard laughed. "I'll do my best Rodney."
Rodney looked at Sheppard then away again, but Sheppard knew the look well.
"What?" Sheppard asked.
"Well...you know this can change everything." Great minds think alike, Sheppard thought.
Sheppard sighed. "Maybe, Rodney. I mean I can't stay here and fight the Wraith. Like you said I will have to go off world. Just not sure what that does to my AF commission, or how much they would even know. It just seems kind of complicated right now."
McKay did not look convinced but he knew that the team and Atlantis meant everything to Sheppard. McKay set his worry aside for now. Sheppard had tried to teach him that, but he was not sure if he learned that lesson well. "Sorry I ate all your dessert."
Sheppard grinned. "It's okay, Rodney. There are other plusses to being a king, like dessert when you want it."
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Weir had asked him if he had invited O'Neill to the ceremony as the SGC and earth representative. He was good with that and Col Caldwell of course was not to be left out. He respected them both for different reasons. However, there were no others from earth or Atlantis other than Weir and Sheppard's team as well as Zelenka who had been sworn to secrecy. It was agreed to keep the number of scientists to a bare minimum for now. It was too much of a risk to have too many people know what was going on. Weir hated the deception, but until this played out, she wanted as few people to know as possible until they sorted out the implications. She had only given O'Neill the full story, but had him think about keeping as much of it to himself for now. He had agreed. Despite this he was still shocked to see General O'Neill step through the gate and he wasn't even in trouble, or at least he thought not. It had been just over two weeks or was it three since the transfer.
"Sir, it is great to see you!"
O'Neill shook his hand and grinned. "Well you know, not everyday some common flyboy gets to be king." Sheppard stared through the general and said nothing as a tingling sensation ran through his hand and up to his brain. He saw a picture flash in his mind and then a name. Capys.
Sheppard looked around uncomfortably then said quietly "Yeah, well I always thought it was a coincidence that I just happened to be your escort at McMurdo and just happened to be able to light up that chair."
O'Neill nodded then leaned in to whisper, "That had crossed my mind too, Sheppard, but maybe we should think about that some more later. I want to see as much of your kingdom as possible." He grinned knowing his teasing was making the pilot uncomfortable.
Sheppard smiled and turned to Colonel Caldwell. "It is good to see you again, sir."
"Thank you colonel. Likewise. Looks like a little R & R is in order."
"Yes, sir," He turned to O'Neill again. "I hope Elizabeth told you to bring your fishing pole. Lots of good stuff, just down that way a few clicks."
O'Neill followed the colonel's gaze across a green rolling hill. He caught the coast. Sweet. "You have a boat, Sheppard?"
"Actually, I am not sure, but they have to have something." He turned on his heels. "Guess we should head back so you all can rest a little while, explore or do whatever beforehand. This city loves to have state dinners." he said with a mischievious look toward O'Neill. Then innocently, "The food is good though."
"Well after Daedalus cuisine, I am ready for anything," O'Neill quipped. Caldwell smiled but did not take the bait. He was too busy looking at the white horses in front of him amazed that all their eyes were blue. He could not, however, take his eyes off the black beast staring at him.
Sheppard did not say anything then grinned. "We brought a coach to haul us back or if you would prefer you can ride one of the horses."
Caldwell and O'Neill looked at each other with a smile. "No way we are riding in coaches Sheppard," O'Neill said challengingly.
"I thought you might say that. I told that to Saphides, but he insisted that protocol be followed." Sheppard looked at a gentleman holding the black horse and nodded. The gentleman turned and gave instructions to two others." The coach was taken away and two white horses were presented to the colonel and general.
"Could get a ride around the grounds before dinner," Sheppard said looking down at them from atop Zorthos.
"Sounds good, colonel. I could use some peace and quiet. All this pomp and circumstance drives me crazy," O'Neill said as he easily mounted.
"I know what you mean, sir. Just wait until tonight."
O'Neill looked at the black horse more closely. "Are you sure that thing you are on won't eat us?"
"No, sir," Sheppard said moving away from them.
O'Neill looked at Caldwell. "Do you think that was a no, he won't eat us or a no, I don't know?"
Caldwell was wondering the same thing. "Not sure, but let's give it a wide berth. That thing is huge."
The three walked off separately from the coach and small entourage. O'Neill looked back and saw two intimidating looking men riding discretely behind them. "You have your own secret service, Sheppard," he said to the lieutenant colonel.
"Oh, sir. Don't even go there." Sheppard said looking back at the two men annoyed. Sheppard was a military officer who had fought the Wraith, Genii, Taliban and countless others. He did not need a bodyguard but the four Guardians insisted. There would have been at least 10 following him everywhere he went. He talked them down to only two and drew the line in the sand there. They acquiesced to his stubbornness. Easier to escape two. As many times as he had escaped Carson, he figured two guards would be easy. He turned back to take a look at them and noticed Caldwell actually looking relaxed. He had no clue the colonel could ride.
Caldwell could not figure Sheppard out. He was the same man, but more subdued. What the hell happened here? Sheppard had not even made any of his smart ass comments yet. He did not have all the details yet except that Sheppard was related to some Ancient king and that this was now his own kingdom. Caldwell did not think much of birthrights and inheritances. He was surprised Sheppard had accepted this, but then thought perhaps he had not. The grounds were beautiful. This would be like a vacation, Caldwell thought. He could deal with the pomp and circumstance, but he also needed a break. When O'Neill said that he would remain weeks beyond the coronation for some leave time Caldwell had asked to do the same.
O'Neill was talking to Sheppard ahead of them as Caldwell continued to look at his surroundings. He saw the castle or whatever they wanted to call it. It was white or off white and very big. It appeared to have some of the same architecture of Atlantis, as far as tall spires went but more stone and carved in nature. There was no bridge or moat he thought bemused, but the pass up to the castle was narrow. It was a good defensible location. As they moved up the hill he looked over his shoulder and could see the ocean that Sheppard had mentioned. He shook his head. What the heck was the rank structure now? Sheppard was still a commissioned officer but he was now the head of state of half of this solar system or at least would be shortly. They arrived at the stables. Caldwell dismounted feeling stiff. It had been too long since he had ridden or taken leave for that matter. He heard Sheppard and O'Neill laughing at something one of the groomsmen told Sheppard. He watched the man bow deeply, then walk away. "What was that about?" Caldwell said with an easy smile. Yes this place could rub off on you rather quickly.
Sheppard was still chuckling. "Rodney almost got eaten by one of these horses. Guess he had kept dessert in his pocket and a couple of the loose equinari chased him through the garden to get it. He fell in some…well future compost."
Caldwell shook his head. Some things never changed, no matter what part of the galaxy you were in. Poor McKay, he would be harassed by those two tonight. Sheppard met a man named Therus at the entrance then excused himself. "Therus will take you to your quarters General O'Neill and Colonel Caldwell. Feel free to roam about, sleep, eat, harass Rodney if you see him. I will see you at dinner. Have a meeting." Welcome to my world of meetings, O'Neill thought.
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
Sauriko, Shalen, Saphides, and Sarik were waiting for him in the council chambers. They stood as he entered. As a lieutenant colonel, Sheppard was use to lower ranking military members standing when he entered a room, exited, or come to attention when he passed by them. He did the same for his superiors. It was customary protocol. Although he was laid back, he also understood that customs and courtesies were necessary to maintain order. It was just weird for men 25 years older than him to stand for him and bow. On the one hand, he understood that was how things were done here, to maintain order, but on the other, he did not feel he had earned that right based on just blood alone.
"Hello, your majesty," Saphides said. "I hope your guests are settled."
"Oh yeah. General O'Neill is ready to go fishing. How are you all doing?"
They looked at each other quizzically. This man seemed concerned frequently of their welfare or perhaps this was just an Earth custom. They had learned from him at these meetings some of the customs of his people as they in turn taught him of theirs. Earth provided a rich and diverse culture. Apparently, if the King had been raised in another area of his birth-world, he may have been speaking a different language and have had quite different customs. They had learned a great deal from him and had great laughs with some of the stories he told them. Yes, having the King's people here had opened their eyes. Evander had been wise in his purpose. This blending of two worlds would indeed make the heir powerful. After a moment, Sarik answered, "We are fine, sire. We are very excited as are all of your people."
Sheppard nodded distractedly. "You know, I was thinking. Technically speaking, if Ilian was the sister of your respective grandfathers, then that would make you my cousins at least technically speaking. But really, it seems like you are my uncles. Damn that is confusing."
They looked at him with a smile. They understood this uncle and cousin concept. Family composition had been one of the topics they had discussed. "Yes, sire, it is confusing," Sarik said softly. "We would be pleased if you considered us uncles as it is our hope to mentor you and assist you in any way that we can."
Sheppard looked at each of them with a grin. "Well, that's good. I tend to get in a lot of trouble."
They chuckled. Yes, they were very pleased. It was easy to like him.
"So what is the topic for today?" Sheppard said leaning back in his chair with his arms behind his head.
"We thought we should discuss your coronation. It is only two days away," Shalen answered in his deep voice.
He was the most intimidating of them all if really any of them could be called that. Shalen was fierce looking particularly in the eyes and his voice was very authoritative. Sarik was the most noble looking and acting of them all. He had a full set of hair unlike the others who were of various degrees of thinning, and he appeared the youngest or maybe just aged best. His voice was strong but diplomacy seemed to come easy to him. Sauriko was a bit on the edgy side, although affable. He was the quietest of them all. He just seemed ready to spring into action. Sheppard knew Saphides best. He was most like the uncle that might have taken you fishing or give you sweets behind your mother's back. They were all effective leaders in their own right. Sheppard had observed that. They worked well as a team, but they definitely had different personalities. Maybe they used Shalen today to reinforce that he could not avoid the topic any longer.
"Okay. What do we need to talk about? Just about an hour until this fancy meal we have planned for the General."
The meal was very good. Not quite a state dinner O'Neill thought. Sheppard must have exaggerated just to scare him with the prospect of formality. But the food was very good as promised, and he and Sheppard had duly enjoyed harassing McKay about the horse incident. That actually had been quite refreshing. To be fair, McKay had taken it in stride and gave back as good as he could get. It seems that Sheppard and his team had really loosened up the guy, but maybe too much as the man just talked all the time. O'Neill watched Sheppard and his team. They had sat all around him during the meal. They would not overwhelm Sheppard with questions or smother him with concern, but they had his back and were there if he needed them. Good choice of wingmen there, Shep. The Guardians were an impressive and distinguished looking bunch. Sheppard would not lack for support. After a while, Sheppard excused himself and O'Neill noticed that others followed suit shortly after. Soon it was just the Atlantis team and himself left. "Well folks," he said standing up. "I have a fishing trip planned for tomorrow, so I will see you later." He left them talking and headed for the huge comfy bed that awaited him. Yup, he could get use to this place.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
"Dr. Weir, have you seen his highness?" Saphides was looking at her worried,"We needed to review the final preparations for the coronation ceremony."
Weir smiled. "He was with General O'Neill. I think they were going to the stables or maybe it was fishing on the coast."
"Oh, yes. I mean oh, no. That means he won't be back for a while. I needed to get his final wishes for the coronation feast and ball."
Caldwell raised an eyebrow and looked at Weir amused. She made eye contact with him and her grinned spread wider. "It's okay Saphides. I can help you with that. Colonel Sheppard wanted me to help you with those matters however I could and told me that he trusted our judgment."
"I bet he did," muttered Caldwell for which he received a kick from Weir.
Saphides seemed appeased. "Thank you, Elizabeth. Colonel Caldwell, would you like to join us for lunch as we discuss the final preparations?"
Caldwell stood. "Thank you Guardian. Actually, I think I am going to my quarters for a change of clothes then a run. I would love to look around." There was no way in hell that he would be sticking around for that conversation.
"Yes of course, colonel. We will see you at dinner."
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
"That is an impressive horse." O'Neill said looking up at Zorthos as he was being saddled. Damn he was big. "You clear to go out on a small day trip? Dr. Beckett seemed to be eyeing you suspiciously."
O'Neill kept his distance as the beast eyed him curiously. He looked at his own horse. Beautiful in it's own right, but not monstrous like that one. The black horse moved over to Sheppard and snorted as he bumped him in the chest. The black head lifted so Sheppard could scratch it but the black monster kept a sapphire eye on O'Neill the whole time.
"Oh,yeah. He always does that. He cleared me a few days ago. I finally wore him down. Actually told him if he kept me in my quarters any longer I was going to have him thrown in a dungeon, if I could find one. Boat is waiting for us," he added in eager anticipation as he mounted Zorthos.
O'Neill sighed as he mounted. "Docs, you love them and hate them."
Sheppard grinned knowingly. "Yeah. Poor Carson though. We throw some interesting stuff at him." He pulled Zorthos around and they headed out the stable.
O'Neill had to admit, the place was beautiful. They talked about earth for a while. No major news that was different from the last time. Gou'ald were mostly tamed but you could not trust the damn things. Global warming, OEF/OIF. Sheppard did not engage in that conversation very much. O'Neil had read the reports, knew why he did not want to talk, and knew that reports only had so much information, like what was actually reported. Sometimes you just keep to yourself. O'Neill knew that as well. Funny how the goings on of movie stars and heiresses were irrelevant when you were fighting for your life and everyone else's on an almost daily basis.
"Wanna race?" Sheppard said breaking him from his thoughts. Before he could answer, Sheppard had loosened the reins on a very impatient black horse, who took off like he had been shocked.
"Kids," O'Neill muttered as he urged his horse on.
He finally caught up to him at a pier about a mile down the way. Zorthos was drinking from Sheppard's canteen. A groom was standing nearby and was shaking his head as he led the horse away to the shade once the had his fill. Another groom took O'Neill's mount.
"Well your horse kicked my horse's ass." O'Neil grumbled. Sheppard frowned slightly. "Sorry sir. He just does not get much chance to run. No one else can ride him so he gets impatient."
"I did not know you like to fish," O'Neill said as they walked toward a small boat tied off from the pier.
"Well, it is one of the more quiet things I do enjoy. Used to go out with my grandfather."
"Well I am here for six weeks so I think I could catch a lot of fish in that time. Good to be back in the field again, even for vacation. Don't ever let them promote you to general Sheppard. Never."
Sheppard nodded. Having O'Neill here was comforting. He knew that, although they were different, they were kindred spirits of sorts. They had seen many of the same things.
O'Neill watched Sheppard out of the corner of his eye. He did not seem worried or even ruffled by what was going on. He knew that all this had to be bothering him to some degree. Hell, the pilot was the most powerful person he knew. President of the United States was president but this Air Force lieutenant colonel was king of half a freaking solar system. Sheppard turned and looked at him strangely. He changed tactics. "You seem to be taking all this okay, Sheppard." That is it, go straight for the jugular. Smooth Jack.
Sheppard said nothing as he steered the boat out a way. His face was the same cocky laid back innocent looking pilot. Damn, how the hell did he do that? "Well, sir, panicking right now would not be of much help."
"Well, I had the Ancient stuff in my head once. Drove me nuts. I could not understand it and no one could understand me...well Jackson a little."
Sheppard said nothing.
O'Neill squinted his eye suspiciously. "You understand it all, don't you?"
Sheppard met his eyes and nodded. "I don't remember it all, but what I do, yes sir, I understand it. Sophistides explained that it was meant only for me. Anyway. I...well really sir, I don't know what to say about it. Honestly I am not sure what I think of the whole thing, but I know that the key to defeating the Wraith is up here." he finished pointing to his head.
"Must have been one helluva headache," O'Neill said from experience.
Sheppard nodded. "You are not kidding general. Worst thing I have ever experienced."
That was saying a lot O'Neill thought. The colonel had been through some rough times not just in Afghanistan but mostly here. "That is saying a lot coming from you, Sheppard."
Sheppard raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He didn't have to. O'Neill understood.
They sat in silence after that for nearly an hour. O'Neill knew when to stop pushing and he was glad that Sheppard knew that fishing was for well fishing and relaxing but not socializing. The silence was comfortable. They stayed another two hours, the silence broken only by the excitement when catching several fish. Sheppard looked at O'Neill as he unhooked one. "We could have these to eat tonight."
"I hope they are good eating."
"Lear says the best."
"Why don't we then? It will be fun bragging about how we brought dinner home tonight."
"Well I guess we better get back. Sam will be upset if I am late for some meeting with a tailor, something about keeping everyone waiting."
"Must be tough having a personal valet."
"You have no idea, sir. It's killing me, but I like talking to the man."
They said nothing on the way back until they neared the palace stable. "You know," Sheppard said hopefully, "I just hope that Elizabeth took care of the arrangements for the damn coronation with Saphides. I really did not want to talk about menus and music and all that kind of crap. It's still a day away but people are running around like chickens."
O'Neill laughed. He understood. This might be the toughest assignment for Sheppard yet