Disclaimer: 'Stargate SG1' and all the characters associated with the show belong to someone who isn't me. As I doubt that the owners would be willing to trade their rights for some magic beans that aren't in any way magical, this is not going to change at any point in the foreseeable future.

Author's Note: I'd like to thank everybody who reviewed the first part. Thanks, guys.

Chapter One

SGC

"It was a sword. It was standing in a stone. It was a sword in a stone. For cryin' out loud, Carter, does the name T.H. White mean nothing to you?" Jack berated his abashed second in command.

"I'm sorry, sir, I…"

"It's alright, Major." General Hammond cut in, sympathizing with the obviously embarrassed young woman.

"According to the scrolls in the Armidan archives, their last ruler left the sword in the stone before he left and told them that only his successor would be able to lift it. Apparently, a lot of people tried but nobody managed it until now. Cai - he's the Steward - and his ancestors have been, for want of a better word, caretaking since then but according to Armidan law and tradition, Sam is their Queen now." Daniel explained.

"We had a hell of a time persuading them to let her leave." Jack scowled. "They're expecting us back tomorrow. Teal'c's stayed behind to pacify them."

"I'll get SG-9 on it right away." Hammond promised. "Have them come up with a loophole to get Major Carter out of…"

"With all due respect, General," A familiar, decidedly unwelcome voice cut in. "The Pentagon's orders are the reverse."

Jack glowered when he saw the figure in the doorway. "Who let you in?"

Colonel Frank Simmons chuckled dryly. "Nice to see you too, Colonel. General Hammond, sir. Doctor Jackson." He acknowledged the other two men with a curt nod before turning his attention to Sam and smiling slightly. "Major Carter - or should that be 'Your Highness'?" Without waiting for an invitation he knew wouldn't be forthcoming, he took a seat at the briefing table. "According to the reports of the team who performed the initial survey and Major Carter herself, P7A-452 is a rich source of both naquadah and trinium, among other metals - commodities that we stand in need of."

"So you want Sam to impersonate their queen to get you what you want?" Daniel looked disgusted at the suggestion.

"Not me, the Pentagon." Simmons corrected mildly, a smug expression on his face. "And from what you've said, it won't be case of impersonation, as the Major is now legally their head of state."

"Colonel Simmons, with all due respect…"

"The orders stand, Major." Simmons cut off her protest and, seeing that Hammond was ready to make his own objection, he countered it before it could be voiced. "And we have the approval of the President."

There wasn't much any of them could say to that.

The next day

"You know, there could be an upside to this situation." Jack commented optimistically as they made their way from the Armidan stargate to the castle. "I can't think what that might be at the moment." He amended, seeing Sam's questioning look. "But there must be something. Heads of state have diplomatic immunity, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then you could break Simmons's nose and nobody would be able to bring you up on charges. Hammond might even give you another commendation medal." He added temptingly. "And just think how happy you'd make your poor CO."

Despite the predicament she had found herself in, Sam couldn't smother a giggle at the sight of her commanding officer making his best puppy-dog face.

"I wonder if we should have sent a message ahead to let them know you were on your way." Daniel mused. "I don't know much about protocol here. There'll probably have to be a coronation or something like that, and meetings with any other nobles and establishing diplomatic relations with other worlds and…"

"This isn't permanent, Daniel." Sam protested, more disconcerted than she cared to admit by the thought of taking the reins of power.

"It'll be as permanent as Simmons and the NID can make it." Jack contributed. "You know how badly they want to get their greedy paws on more naquadah."

"Especially with the X-302s and the Prometheus Project, not to mention the naquadah reactors." Sam finished dolefully. "They want to develop those further."

The Pentagon had shared the naquadah reactor technology with Russia under duress, the price they had been obliged to pay for the temporary loan of the Russian DHD to save Teal'c when he had been trapped in the Stargate.

That the DHD had exploded, robbing the Russians of their strongest bargaining chip in future negotiations, had been a small comfort to them when General Hammond, encouraged by Daniel, had insisted on honoring the deal.

Sam hadn't exactly been devastated when Dr Rodney McKay had been sent along to supervise the project.

The NID in particular were on the lookout for new and better technology and all three of them knew that they would fight tooth and nail against sharing it.

"O'Neill." When they reached the gateway leading to the castle, Teal'c was standing there waiting for them, looking almost flustered.

"What's up, big guy?"

"The Armidans have been most anxious." He explained. "They feared that something might have befallen you, Major Carter." He told her. "They wished to send soldiers to rescue you."

"Just Carter?" Jack sounded slightly offended. "So Danny and I could have been dead in a ditch somewhere and it wouldn't have bothered them?"

"I was only gone a day." Sam pointed out. "And they knew that we were just going back to the SGC."

"Indeed." Teal'c's frown indicated that he had made this point himself, and more than once. "That is what I attempted to tell them." He led his friends through the portcullis into the castle, the sentries snapping to attention as they passed.

"Your Highness." Lord Cai bowed deeply as soon as he saw Sam. "I am relieved to see that you are safe. We feared…"

"I'm fine." Sam cut him off, wanting to nip his overprotective tendencies in the bud as quickly as possible, half-afraid that she would find herself surrounded by a cluster of bodyguards. "I can take care of myself."

"She's right about that." Jack backed her up, having learned that long ago.

"Of course, my queen." He bowed again before straightening, eyeing her BDUs with mingled disapproval and bewilderment at the strange garments. "Your ladies in waiting have laid out a selection of gowns in your rooms, so that you may be properly attired for dinner."

"Ladies in waiting?" Jack echoed, amused.

"Properly attired?" Sam didn't share her commanding officer's amusement.

The last time she had been told that she needed to be properly attired, it had not ended well.

TBC.

Author's Note: That's all for now. Please don't forget to review.