Okay, we'll see if this format works better. For those that have not read before, this was the chapter I thought would be the hardest. Sorry for any similarity to Narnia, my Beta pointed out a sequence that was similar and that was unintentional, just a desperate mind trying to figure out how to make things work!

Chapter 14-Thermopylae

Sheppard, his generals, and the Atlantis team sat around the large banquet table eating dinner and talking about the day. There was anticipation but also a calm. In a way Sheppard was surprised. For the most part, these warriors had been largely untested. They had not fought battles of this proportion before, but they caught on very quickly and Sheppard was impressed with the leadership of his military commanders. He watched Ronon and O'Neill laughing and looking deceptively unconcerned about what was going to happen.

He was about to turn to Teyla to tell her something when he saw a courier run into the hall toward him. The room grew silent before he reached Sheppard. The courier bowed then leaned in toward Sheppard and spoke to him quietly. Sheppard nodded curtly, then looked across the long table.

"Arcadia will be the first to be attacked, within two hours. You all know what to do," he said, standing. "Trust the plan, trust your people, and trust yourselves…I know I do." He raised his glass, "To all the Armentarii, whom we defend today."

"To the Armentarii!" came the reply from table. Sheppard took a sip then nodded and everyone went to do their jobs.

oOoOoOoOo

Caldwell waited at the control center on the Arcadia planet with Sarik. He had to admit that he was surprised that Sheppard had trusted him to defend the home planet of his line. That must be weird for the colonel, to know that your people actually came from a world in a different galaxy. Sarik stood quietly next to Caldwell. These Guardians had stood vigil over a throne for 10,000 years, facing so many challenges and they had managed to maintain a system of government that was admirable and efficient with little ego involved. He saw how they had without question devoted themselves to Sheppard. The Air Force pilot had a knack for engendering that kind of loyalty.

A communication came through. The attack had begun. Caldwell looked down at the Guardian and nodded. "Thank you, general," Caldwell said speaking to the voice in the field. "Let them push through with little resistance, we have the trap set." Sarik turned around to an aid, "Send encrypted word to the King. It has begun, and we have engaged the enemy."

oOoOoOoOo

Sheppard was sitting on Zorthos giving orders when McKay approached him with a wary eye on the black horse. He did not know how the beast was tame around his friend because it was downright mean to most others. He grinned as he realized that in a way, he was most calm around his friend as well. The horse snorted a warning as he approached. Blue eyes on a black horse did not go together!

Sheppard patted the horse and looked at McKay with a smile. McKay saw that Sheppard was in a cavalry uniform with slight modification from the others. He had black riding boots, black pants, and black tunic under a black leather shoulder to torso vest of sorts that was belted in the back. He noticed that the glowing dagger hung around his waist and that he had his 9mm on his leg as usual and some sort of sword sheathed on the saddle. He finished pulling up black leather and metal gauntlets. "Hey, Rodney," Sheppard said cheerfully.

"Hey. You know, you look like that guy from Ladyhawke."

"What?"

"Didn't you see that movie?" McKay replied defensively at Sheppard's look of are you crazy. "Oh come on. You know the blonde French knight guy or whatever he was. He wore black, had a big horse, except you aren't blond. My sister loved that movie."

Sheppard shook his head at his friend. "Well that explains it then. Sounds like a girl movie."

"Okay, you look like Aragorn then," McKay added exasperated.

Sheppard grinned slightly. "You've got something for me, Gimley?"

"What?! I am not short and hairy!" he said, annoyed, as he handed Sheppard the PDA like device. He heard leather creak as Sheppard reached down to accept the device. He did not answer McKay's question as he looked over it approvingly. "Nice, Rodney, thanks!"

McKay sighed and looked up worried. "Don't get killed or anything…who would I use as my front guy to try all the gadgets we are finding here or for turning them on?"

Sheppard wheeled Zorthos around, "Don't worry. Magic Fingers will be at your service soon."

McKay rolled his eyes for Sheppard's benefit, but once his friend was gone, he bit the bottom of his lip. I hope so.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Sheppard looked over the field with night vision goggles. He had put those in his pack when he came over from Atlantis and was glad that he had brought them. He only wished that he had enough for all his army and the time to train them, but at least he could see what was going on to position them for the surprise counterstrike. It was dark. There were no formations yet, but he sensed that they were gathering. They had word that transport ships had landed behind a ridge. Not as many as he thought, but enough. The idiot thought that darkness would provide him cover, but Sheppard had already positioned his men, ordered them to sleep until it was time. That was if they could.

It had started to rain, adding a deeper chill to the air. Four hours had passed since Caldwell and Sarik had notified them that the attack had begun. Sheppard had sent a small contingent to put on a show of falling for the trap, but Caldwell called back not long ago saying that the battle was very much under control and that they were wrapping up some small skirmishes. The stunners had done the trick and there had been few deaths. He was relieved, but knew it would be different here. He squinted his eyes and noticed movement in the trees. He sighed then sent word.

oOoOoOoOo

Teyla looked around the village. It had been mostly evacuated, but she was distressed to see that there were still some older villagers and some women and children that had not made it out in time. Quietly she had them moved to a central home and hid them as best she could. She did not know what to expect but she imagined that this village would be hit the hardest because of its proximity to the city. The soldiers and men of the village had quietly set up defenses and now waited in various homes for an attack. She looked over at General Terendale who was looking down at the PDA Rodney had given him. He looked up at Teyla with a slight nod. It had begun.

oOoOoOoOo

Sheppard glanced over at Ronon. The man looked too large for the horse he was on and seemed uncomfortable. "You know how to ride?" Sheppard asked skeptically.

Ronon did not look at him but instead watched the cavalry move silently into position behind a ridge and hidden from the tree line. "Of course," he said without any idea. He had never ridden a beast before, but that was no reason for him not to be where he was needed.

Sheppard said nothing more but grinned. Okay, sure. The city and the castle were still hidden by the darkness, but the forest of the wilderness began to have the glow of dawn. This amplified Sheppard's vision with the night vision goggles, but soon he would not need them. He saw figures starting to emerge slowly. The line was at least a half of a mile across. Sheppard waited nearly 30 minutes then Ronon saw that the last line of troops had emerged. There were several thousand on the ground, and they seemed completely oblivious that surely they would have been detected by now. Sheppard entered something into his PDA. Ronon was watching Sheppard's ground forces stand in the shadows perfectly still as the mass moved toward them and the castle. Suddenly the Armentarii began to move forward in columns with wide lanes between them. Ronon did not know how this would work, but he trusted Sheppard to know what he was doing.

Sheppard watched as his men emerged from the cover of the shadows and into the emerging dawn. At a haunting sound of a horn, they doubled their pace heading straight for the insurgent force. Sheppard saw through his regular binoculars hesitation and wide eyes as the insurgent forces saw that they were not alone. Before the insurgent leaders could make any changes, Sheppard's men were upon them. The noise of clashing men was deafening and Sheppard flinched slightly. A number of the insurgent men ran through the columns as Sheppard expected, but surprisingly they did not form up but kept running toward the castle. Ronon saw Sheppard shake his head slightly as he again entered something into the device McKay had given him then turn back to look at the field again. Ronon was watching the battle intently when he heard the sound of aircraft. He saw several dozen fly past the castle and then heard the stunners begin. The stunners were effective but not efficient. It was difficult to hit small moving targets on the ground, but they were making good work. If anyone got through, it was very likely that O'Neill's defenses would make short work of them.

"Hey Ronon, look," he heard Sheppard say. He followed Sheppard's arm. It took a minute then he saw what looked like a contingent of three to four thousand moving efficiently through the fighting and straight for the castle. "I think that is the group loyal to the bad guy." Sheppard looked around quickly at the field to the left and then to the right. The contingent was just about to move in range of the cavalry. Sheppard saw that his well prepared ground forces were effectively containing at least for now, the main insurgent forces to the left of his field of vision, while the air defenses were meticulously stunning whom they could. The pile of men would make a push for the castle difficult, and he figured that the stun strength would give him three hours before they would start to wake. Sheppard quickly entered his orders then put the PDA away.

"Time to go, buddy," the king said has he put on his black helmet. It came down just at his eyes and covered the back of his head to just above his neck. A plume of black horsehair stuck out from the top. Ronon admitted the effect was striking. He did not like that his friend was the sole person with a black horse and helmet, but that could not be helped now.

"Where's your helmet?" Sheppard asked.

"I don't need one." Ronon said without looking at him.

"What if you fall?"

"I have a hard head," he said, turning to his friend.

Sheppard shook his head, then met his eyes. "I guess that hair of yours would soften the impact."

Ronon grinned. "Exactly."

Sheppard looked to the man next to him and nodded curtly.

The man raised a horn, then lifted his head. The deep auspicious tone sent a shiver down Ronon's back.

Sheppard unsheathed the sword from his saddle then without warning, charged ahead toward their target. The lane was mostly clear and anyone in it quickly got out of the way. Sheppard led the tip of the triangle. They would slice through the men like a knife on a point, as the rear wider base would swing around and encircle their respective prey. Ronon grinned as his horse raced after Sheppard's. The experience riding a beast in a charge was exhilarating!

In less than a minute he saw Sheppard's sword raise then come down. He caught a glimpse of his friend cutting down several men before he himself started to swing both offensively and defensively.

Sheppard's horse had barely slowed his stride, not slowing at all when someone impeded his path. The horse seemed to know how to move and use his body weight. Ronon saw that Sheppard had made it through the main body of the enemy force when he curved to the right and saw that some troops followed him and others followed Eileron to the left. Once he was through, Ronon followed to the right and very soon the cavalry had surrounded the masses, which they had already split in two groups. There was no real fear in this group of insurgents. They were professional soldiers, but Ronon knew that they could not win, and they likely knew this. Sheppard had outmaneuvered them too quickly. This made them dangerous.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Teyla stood next General Terendale. They had been able to hold off, rather easily, the insurgents that had attacked their village. It had been a half-hearted effort so far. The enemy seemed to be villagers more afraid than anything. Most had surrendered and they did not appear to be lead by anyone in particular. This confused her. Perhaps the leader of these people, the traitor, which Sheppard had spoken of, was not a strategist like Sheppard. Very few had died here in this village. None of Sheppard's men had died and only a handful of insurgent villagers. General Terendale had sent scouts to see if there was a more concerted effort waiting for them. He was also concerned that this village was right in the line of a retreat from the battlefield in front of the city castle. They had received word from O'Neill, who had the vantage point of seeing the whole battle, that Sheppard's plan had been working, even the Thermopylae plan.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Captain Gragle looked at the shield of warriors before them. They had no intelligence that such an army existed before they attacked. This would have been useful. They had expected some resistance up the pass but nothing like this…a wall of men with impenetrable armor. When his men had encountered them they had frozen in fear as the shield of men roared their battle cry. It had frozen his own blood. Yet his men dutifully attacked and then died. Wave after wave, yet the faceless men behind the golden armor did not budge. Gragle had been promised command of an entire army by his leader, but he would not sacrifice any more men toward a fruitless cause. Whoever had commanded this army was superior, and Gragle had decided to put himself at his mercy if he would spare his men. He said nothing as he was led through the city into a courtyard. There he met a very tall man with white hair. Gragle knelt immediately.

"My lord. I beg for your mercy not for myself, but for my men."

O'Neill rolled his eyes as he looked over at Caldwell, who had just returned from Arcadia.

"Your lord, King Armentarius, is over there in the field," The man said quietly, "I am General O'Neill. Please get up."

Gragle looked up at the man confused. What king? Could this general offer them mercy? "I am sorry, general. Please convey to King Armentarius that I beg forgiveness for aligning myself with an enemy of his land. I ask only for him to spare my men, who trusted in me. I have lost many to his great army at the Serian pass. They would no doubt put their trust in him and would be loyal to him if he could forgive them."

O'Neill had to grin. Sheppard could harvest men even when he killed them.

"I am sure the King would appreciate that." Sheppard had already discussed what to do with those that had surrendered. "Your men will be held under guard until the end of the battle. They will be fed and allowed to rest then allowed to return to their worlds."

Gragle looked up incredulously. This was more than he hoped for.

"General, who is this king?"

"What world are you from?"

"My family is from Arcadia and Palladin."

The tall man walked with Gragle over to the overlook where he could see the battle in the field raging on. "Haven't you heard of Evander's heir?"

The man looked up wide-eyed. "The lord, whom I had sacrificed my men for, said that he was the true heir of these worlds. That is why that we had devoted ourselves to him."

O'Neill sighed. "Well your real king is down there defending his people. How could you not have ever heard of him?" Gragle caught a glimpse of a man in black on a black horse amongst a sea of white horses. Only the King may ride the black beast, he had heard his grandfather tell him of the legend.

Gragle hung his head. "We heard reports of a king, but our forces were isolated, in training. We were told that we needed to act quickly, that an imposter was trying to take over his rightful kingdom…" Gragle sighed, "I have dishonored my family."

O'Neill looked down at him not unkindly, even with understanding. "Many good men can be fooled, Captain. Are you a good man?"

Gragle looked at the General. "Yes sir. I thought myself to be."

O'Neill nodded. "Then go tell your men, about your true King."

Gragle looked up wide-eyed then nodded curtly. Perhaps the true King, Evander's heir, would want his death. Frankly, Gragle did not think his death was enough to make up for the men he lost, but he would make sure that his men would know the truth. He was led to a courtyard where his men, now numbered less than two thousand, sat quietly eating under shelter from the rain. They looked at him expectantly when they saw him.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Sheppard had made his way closer to the center of the mass of men. His men surrounded him as they fought. He knew that the insurgents would target him, the black kind of gave away that he was the leader, yet his men held off most them. Sheppard had killed his fair share. Zorthos actually had killed a few of his own and only the bravest or dumbest even tried to approach him. Sheppard had to admire ancient warriors of any kind. Fighting with a sword was really hard and very tiring.

Zorthos reared up and came down over someone foolish enough to raise a sword at the horse. His men had to work hard against this well trained group, but they were winning. Sheppard pulled Zorthos around until he caught glimpse of Ronon. When he made eye contact he nodded to the left and made his way out of the circle to take a look at was happening.

Ronon nodded and followed Sheppard out of the fighting to watch his back as the king looked across the battlefield.

"Well?" Ronon asked.

"Looks like we're kicking ass," Sheppard said. "Ground forces under control. Looks like Sorhan is finishing them off and gathering prisoners of war. Lear pretty much has stunned whoever got through, but is sending message now that we need to send forces over to help with the disarming and getting them over to holding area. I think the cavalry is making work of…oh hell."

"What?" Ronon said straining to look in the directions Sheppard was scanning. "What!"

Sheppard barked some orders to the rider next to him then looked at Ronon. "Come on!" he said urgently.

"What?" Ronon said again.

"Part of them have broken free. They are retreating back toward the village, where Teyla is."

Ronon said nothing but followed Sheppard, who had not even looked back. Ronon did and saw a large contingent of the cavalry following.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Sheppard raced down the across the field and into the trees. Many had gotten a head start and used the trees for cover as they raced toward wherever they thought they could go to escape. Wherever that was, it lead straight through the large village where Teyla and Terendale were. He had sent word ahead to warn them, but had no reply yet.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Ronon watched Sheppard race through the trees passing by fleeing insurgents. The black horse carried the king swiftly through the dense trees until they reached a marshy clearing. He then saw the horse lose its footing and fall to the ground throwing Sheppard. He heard a horn from behind and the men behind him seem to pick up speed as they raced toward their king. Ronon saw insurgent forces making their way toward his fallen friend who was slow getting up.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Sheppard picked himself up slowly from the ground. He saw Zorthos getting up unhurt, and his men racing toward him. He did not see his helmet, which had flown off his head somewhere during the fall. He wheeled around at the sound of a cry of sorts and managed to raise an arm as a sword came down on him. Thank goodness the gauntlet was part metal or his arm would have probably been cut or severed. It hurt like a son of a bitch. He planted his dagger in the belly of his assailant, but lost his footing and fell back. Another was on top of him and tried to drive his weapon into Sheppard but the pilot rolled to the side. He cried out as the blade caught his side and tore through his leather armor leaving a gash. The assailant raised his hand again but Sheppard managed to pull his 9 mm and shot him. He grinned for a second as Indiana Jones flashed through his mind. He was about to shoot again when an unholy animal sound to his left made him stop. He watched Zorthos tear into the man and stomp him until the man was no longer screaming. Sheppard shuddered and hoped he did not have to hear that sound ever again. He was going to get up, but the horse was standing over him.

He saw his men now surrounding him and were driving the insurgents back toward a waiting force sent by Terendale. They must have scouted the trap. "Come on boy, move out," he gasped. His side was bleeding and was hurting. His vision was impaired slightly as he figured that he was bleeding from his head again. All of Carson's good work gone to waste.

Zorthos put a muzzle down to his face and snorted then sniffed him over. "Come on, move boy." The horse reluctantly moved over, but Sheppard realized it was because Eileron had pushed him to the side. Both he and Ronon knelt next to him. "My lord, are you injured elsewhere than the cut on your head?"

Sheppard looked up at his chief cavalry officer. "Yeah, got me on the side. You know we really should re-work this armor stuff. Hell, barely stopped that sword, but not without the help of my skin."

He growled as Eileron touched his side to look at the wound. The horseman looked at Ronon. "It runs deep, but not critical. We should get back to the city now."

"No, we need to help Teyla," Sheppard said, trying to rise.

Ronon grabbed his arm to help him up. "They had scouted a trap and had sent their forces forward. There is no longer a danger to the village."

Eileron finished tying a cloth around Sheppard in a makeshift bandage. Sheppard got up with his help. "The field?"

"Nearly contained, your Majesty,"

"The Serian pass?"

"Defended," Ronon said with a smile.

Sheppard looked around. Had they won? Three hours of hard fighting out in the field, in the cold rain. He was freezing, exhausted, so his men must be as well.

"We need to get back to the castle then. I do not think it is over yet. We have not found their leader?"

"No, Lord."

"Tell General O'Neill that we are on the way, and to be careful. I just have a feeling."

He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder and he turned around. "John, are you okay?"

He grinned despite the cold and the pain. "Teyla. Fine. How about you?"

"Fine. Little attack came to the village. General Terendale became suspicious and sent a scout out. That is when we saw a skirmish line of the insurgents apparently waiting."

"Glad you guys were here. We are headed back to the city now. Do you want to come?"

"I think I will help the General finish securing the area then head over with him."

"Okay. See you soon, then." He smiled at her, then mounted Zorthos. "Be careful." he told her.

She watched him ride off. He looked hurt, but okay. His plan had worked or was working. She hoped the bloodshed had ended.

oOoOoOoOoOo

"The forces are defeated lord."

The blond man looked at the other coldly. "It is time for us to make our move now, while we still have forces battling for our cause and they are distracted."

"They spoke of the King on the black horse."

"Imposter."

"Yes sir," the man looked at his screen. "We have scrambled our few fighters to a location away from the castle. Their sacrifice should buy us a few minutes."

"That is more than enough for the transport to land with our contingent."

The man sighed. Yes, more sacrifices.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Sheppard and his contingent trotted back toward the city. The cold actually made his side feel numb, but he knew that the wound was deep. It had become slightly harder to breath, but he also knew that for the moment it was not life threatening. No, he had sadly experienced wounds that were life threatening and had learned to tell the difference. Ronon was not buying it and was keeping an eye on him, but he could not help that.

He heard a beep and pulled out his PDA. What, an air attack?! Small. Lear would make short work of it. He put the PDA back as he thought for a minute. He had expected this. "Eileron, we must get to the city quickly. Now. All forces not required elsewhere should begin to make their way there. I will send word to General O'Neill."

oOoOoOoOoOo

"Well Steven, we may get a little action here after all."

Caldwell leaned in to look at the screen. "What's up?"

"Looks like the bad guy wants to show his face. We will implement the City defense plan."

Caldwell cocked his head to one side as he listened in his earpiece. "A transport was spotted and a contingent of approximately four hundred have spread out."

O'Neill smiled. "You mean we actually outnumber them? Well then, let's get this done."

oOoOoOoOoOo

Sheppard was racing toward the city when he saw the transport over the city. He knew they had a plan and that O'Neill would defend the city. He also knew that he had to be there to finish it. He held his side and saw blood on his hand when he raised it. Thank God for the cold, or it would probably hurt worse and maybe even bleed more, but he would make it.

He received reports from the generals while they made their way up the Serian pass. They basically had taken care of everything. They were wrapping up a few stragglers and putting them under shelter and guard. He knew most of them would be sent home. He and the Guardians had agreed that those that had been forced to fight would be sent home. They disagreed on what to do with the troops that had freely pledged loyalty to the would-be usurper. The law clearly dictated that they be put to death. Sheppard was not squeamish when it came to doing what needed to be done, Pegasus had done that to him quickly, but regardless of what the insurgents would want to do, they would not be able to gain the upper hand. They had not been able to for 10,000 years, but the Guardians made it clear. The law was the law. Sheppard grinned despite himself. He did not break rules carelessly, but he told them he would have to think about it, and left it at that. He could change the law, but he figured it was there for a reason.

He felt Zorthos stumble slightly as they came to a halt near the entrance. He dismounted quickly and looked over the horse. He spotted a gash on the flank. He turned to Eileron.

"Take care of him, Eileron. Please."

The chief stabler patted the horse. "I will tend to him myself, my lord. He will be fine, I promise."

Sheppard made his way through the main castle to meet O'Neill in the control room.

oOoOoOoOoOo

O'Neill turned when he heard boots clicking quickly into the room. All the men were covered in mud. He knew many of them were supposed to have blond hair but he could not tell who was supposed to have light hair. Ronon was obvious as the tallest, but Sheppard was the muddiest and maybe the bloodiest. One half of his face was covered in blood and mud.

"You boys done playing outside? You're dripping all over these nice floors," O'Neill said, moving over to the small contingent. He saw Sheppard and Ronon grinning, but some of the others looked down self-consciously.

"Guess we'll have some mopping to do soon," Sheppard said.

"Yup, a bit. We have most mopped up, but a few small groups spread out through the city. We have the hunters on them. There were about four hundred, but honestly only about 50 or so of them worth anything. The others gave up as soon as they came up against any confrontation. I thought it would take a couple of hours, but it has only been, well, about 30 minutes. There are two groups that seem a bit more gung ho. About done with one group, have not found the other."

"Any idea where they might be heading?"

O'Neill shrugged. "Not sure but the last two contacts were here and here," he said pointing to an electronic map of the grounds.

Sheppard looked quickly then thought for a moment. "I know where they are going."

"Where?"

"The throne room," He looked around. "Where's Rodney?"

"He was headed toward the throne room."

"Tell everyone to steer clear of the throne room. We'll head off this group at the courtyard."

He said nothing, but started running. O'Neill gave the orders, looked at Caldwell who nodded, and they headed after them.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sheppard will come face to face with his evil cousin a gazillion times removed, bit of hurt and comfort left then hopefully a good wrap up! Thanks for hanging in there.