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.

Chapter Four

"Nobody ever said anything about Carter having to get married!" Jack was every bit as put out by this development as Sam was - and that was saying something.

Daniel was just thankful that the group was alone, although the ladies in waiting outside the room were probably being half-deafened.

"In fairness, you could probably do a lot worse." He suggested to Sam, trying to lighten the mood.

His attempt at a joke was met with poisonous glares from both Sam and Jack and a reproving frown from Teal'c.

"Sorry." He apologized hastily. "I probably should have seen this coming. Armida is more advanced that Arthurian Britain, but judging by their history and by the looks of things at the court, they're still a bit on the patriarchal side."

"And they don't want a queen." Sam finished.

"No, as far as they're concerned, their gods chose you to rule." Daniel assured her. "But I think that they would prefer that you get married sooner rather than later."

"So her husband can take over running the planet while Carter stays in the background and knits." Jack suggested, his disgust evident.

"More or less." Daniel agreed.

"You see, this is what happens when you fool around with things offworld." Jack grumped, addressing both Sam and Daniel, the worst offenders in that respect.

"Nobody offered you a planet when you ate the marriage cake on Argos." Daniel pointed out dryly.

"I don't care what Colonel Simmons wants." Sam declared. "I'm not going to marry a total stranger."

"Simmons wouldn't want it any more than you do, Carter." Jack said shrewdly. "If he and his cronies at the Pentagon want to use you being in charge here to get their paws on the naquadah, they need you to stay in charge."

"That's true." Daniel agreed. "And while the Armidan nobles might want you to get married, but I don't see them trying to make you."

"That's good."

"However…" Daniel hesitated before speaking. "This isn't going to stop people asking, and even if you reject the suitors that are already here, there'll probably be more offers - a lot more."

Sam scowled, far from pleased by the prospect. "Great!"

The next day

In her lab at the SGC, Sam was usually able to work for long stretches of time without anybody interrupting her – one Jack O'Neill being an exception in that regard – but, while it was a larger and far more luxuriously appointed room, her study in the castle was much less peaceful for working in.

Lord Cai had dropped in at least a half a dozen times already, making sure that she knew that he was ready to offer any assistance she might require and to provide her with updates on the plans for her coronation, which was due to take place in three days time, on a date he had assured her was auspicious. She had finally been able to get the well-meaning steward out of her hair by charging him with a task inspired by her commanding officer.

Her ladies in waiting were continually asking if there was anything she needed and, when she hadn't appeared for the midday meal, enough food to feed ten people had been sent up.

Even Teal'c had barely been able to put a dent in the mountain of food and his appetite was by no means small.

Hearing a knock on the door, Sam looked up from the documents she was perusing. "Come in."

"My queen." Sir Drustan swept a low bow before approaching and then, kneeling before her, offered a bouquet of wild flowers. "To brighten the room, your Highness."

"Thank you." Sam accepted his gift graciously, if somewhat awkwardly, grateful beyond words that Teal'c was the only one of her teammates present. The colonel and Daniel would have teased her mercilessly, probably for the next decade or so.

Even after five years, the incident on P3X-595 was still brought up at every possible opportunity.

"It is my honour to serve, my queen, however I may." Sir Drustan vowed reverently, still kneeling.

"That's nice of you…" Sam shot a pleading look at Teal'c, silently begging for rescue.

He did not disappoint.

"The queen is busy at present." He announced soberly, helping the younger man to his feet and steering him firmly towards the door.

"Of course." Sir Drustan bowed in Sam's direction, unwilling to leave her presence without her direct permission. "If I may, your Highness, I will withdraw."

"You may." Sam responded immediately, perhaps a little too eagerly for politeness. Once her suitor had been ushered from the room, she gave Teal'c a grateful smile. "You're a lifesaver!"

"Indeed." He returned her smile, looking over her shoulder at the documents she held. "Have you made any progress in your study of Armidan law?"

She sighed. "I was hoping to find some laws governing trade, some guidelines or restrictions that would apply to the deal the Pentagon wants to make, but there's nothing."

"Perhaps there was never a need for such laws if Armida did not previously trade with offworlders." Teal'c suggested. During his time in the service of Apophis, he had witnessed many planets stripped of their resources in the name of a false god and he had no wish to see that happen to Armida, or to see his friend pushed to do something he knew that she would consider wrong. "However, it is my understanding that as queen, it is your right to implement new laws… should you so choose."

TBC.

Author's Note: Hopefully, the next chapter (Sam's coronation) should be posted quicker than this one was. In the meantime, please review.