AN: Once again sorry for the delay but for once I was stumped for ideas in this story, anything you guys particularly want to see? Let me know what you think of it.
***
"And then you fell in the fountain!" Anarion laughed loudly, Eldarin joining in and a scowl appearing on Vala's face. It faded a few moments later and she began to laugh along with her brothers.
The three of them had been sitting in a small sitting room for the past few hours drowning their sorrows. They had buried their mother that afternoon and as soon as they had returned to the palace, Anarion had led them into the small room and ordered the servant to make sure the wine kept coming. There were now quite a few empty wine bottles littering the floor and the room was thick from the smoke of the boy's pipes.
"I didn't fall in! You pushed me." Vala claimed, a pouting forming on her lips as she reached to take the bottle from Eldarin's hand.
"Slanderous! I did no such thing!"
"Did, too." Vala shot back.
"Did not."
"Did."
"Didn't"
Vala's next 'did' was cut off by Anarion lifting her and throwing her over his shoulder in a rather undignified manor, "Eldarin bring the wine!" He called as he made his way to the door.
The protests of Vala drew quite a bit of attention as her brother marched through the palace with her over his shoulder. She was cursing both of them loudly and swearing in various languages as she hung upside down.
"Daniel! Get out here and make him put me down right now!" She yelled drunkenly, expecting Daniel to appear beside her out of thin air.
They came to a stop in a small garden.
There was humour in Anarion's voice when he spoke, "You want me to put you down?"
"Yes! This instant." She banged her hand off his legs to accent her point.
"Right this instant?" Anarion replied, taking a step forward.
"So help me Anarion if you don't put me down right now…" She trailed off as he began to lift her back over his shoulder.
When she was high off the ground being held in his arms he threw her backwards and there was a huge splash as she landed in the fountain in the middle of garden.
"Now I have put you in the fountain." He was laughing so hard that he and Eldarin where having to hold onto each other to stay upright.
Vala stood up in the fountain, drenched from head to toe and waded towards the edge, "You two…" Her voice was low and dangerous, snapping her brothers out of their laughter.
They took one look at their sister's face, turned and half ran half stumbled back along the corridors of the palace. Dripping wet, Vala was hot on their heels until her wet feet having lost their normal cat-like dexterity went out from under her and she unceremoniously slid across the stone floor.
"I'm going to get you for that!" she cried, struggling to her feet and taking up the pursuit once again as the three of them went hurtling round a corner and through a door at the end of the passage.
She almost ran into their backs as they came to a dead stop when they realised the room they were in. It was their parents' bedroom. In their drunken state they had gotten so caught up their childish game that they had forgotten they had grown up; that they could no longer run to their parents to sort out their squabbles.
"We are on our own now." Eldarin said, a slight hitch in his voice.
"On our own together." The strength behind Vala's words surprised her brothers and they reached out to take her hands.
"Yes," Anarion said, "On our own but still together."
***
Vala woke with a groan the next morning. She was stiff, sore and had the headache from hell. After those three things registered, the next thing she realized was that she was not in her bed, or any bed for that matter. Cautiously she opened her eyes. Looking around, she realised that she was wedged into a chair with Anarion, her sitting side on with her legs across his lap. And as her gaze travelled downwards, she saw Eldarin asleep on the floor, his back resting against his brother's legs and a bottle still in his hand. It took her another few moments to register what chair it was they were sitting in but as she gazed at the floor horror and amusement filled her. There was only one room in the palace with black marble floors and that was the throne room.
She thumped Anarion on the chest and gave Eldarin's head a shove to wake them.
There was a groan from both of them as they came round.
Eldarin squinted as he turned to face the two on the throne, "I think… there may have been drinking last night."
Before she could think the phrase she had often heard Jack use when Daniel stated the obvious was out of her mouth, "No shit, Sherlock."
"I'm not even going to pretend to know what that means." Anarion commented as he rubbed his temple. He gave a nudge to Eldarin with his boot, "Move."
Eldarin struggled to his feet, helped Vala up then the two of them pried Anarion out of the throne.
The three of them leaned on each other as they made their way out of the room. They stopped in the corridor as they passed a portrait on the wall. In it a tall man sat on a throne, a beautiful woman by his right and to his left stood a young man. On his lap was a small girl and in front of the woman another small boy stood. The love these five people felt for each other was clear on their faces and joy was in their eyes.
Eldarin raised the bottle that was still clutched in his hand, "To the past." He toasted before drinking and passing the bottle on to Anarion.
"To the future." Anarion added as he took his drink.
"And the present." Vala added as she took the final drink.
They stood for a moment longer staring at the portrait that had been painted long ago before so many things had happened to them. They started down the corridor again in silence.
"Why is my dress damp?" Vala asked as they walked.
***
By lunch time Vala was feeling much more like her usual self, her heart was still heavy but it no longer felt so burdened. She and her brothers had talked long into the night. Spurred on by the alcohol they had talked of many things, secrets and well known stories, hopes, dreams and fears. They spoke of things they had done, things they wished they had done and things they wished they hadn't.
Never before had she seen her brothers cry but last night they had wept as often as they had laughed.
"I will miss you when you go, Elena." Anarion told her as he came to sit at her side.
"I thought you didn't want me to leave?"
He chuckled, "If I had my way you would never leave again but you would be miserable and I don't have the heart to do that. You deserve the happiness you have found."
"I am happy here too." She told him.
"For the moment but I think if your friends where not here you would not be so."
"They are good people and good friends."
"Of that I have no doubt. Long ago stories of SG1 and Earth reached us here and when it was discovered that they had taken up with a woman going by the name of Vala Mal Doran I dared to hope that it was you."
"I should have come home sooner." They had talked about this last night but it was still praying on her mind.
"You are home now and that is what matters." Anarion told her, leaving no room for argument or self-pity, "But promise me you will stay a while before leaving again?"
"I will."
***
Later that afternoon Vala found Daniel in the library. He was discussing ancient history with Hirgon.
"Having fun, darling?" She asked as she leaned over his shoulder to look at the book in front of him.
"This place is amazing, Vala." Absently he took her hand from his shoulder and kissed it before setting it back.
"I'm glad you're enjoying it. Hirgon, would you excuse us for a minute?"
"Certainly, Highness." Hirgon bowed before leaving them.
Vala sat down in the seat beside Daniel, "Do you really like it here?"
"Vala I could spend the rest of my life in this room; this whole place is like a dream come true."
"Daniel." She paused, unsure how to phrase her next words, "I want to stay here for a while. Not permanently, but for a month or so."
"Oh." It was all he was able to get say in response.
"You could stay with me." She said hesitantly, unsure of herself, "If you wanted to, that is."
The tightness in Daniel's chest eased a little as she spoke, "I would love to. We would need to get permission from General Landry first though, and what about the others?"
"They are all welcome to stay if they want."
"We should talk to them about it, see what they think then talk to the General."
She smiled at him and then leaned in and kissed him, "Sounds like a plan."
***
In the end they all decided that if the General allowed them their month off then only Vala and Daniel would stay on Eriador. Sam wanted to catch up on some pet project while Cam and Teal'c wanted to go and visit their families. All that was left to do was ask permission.
Before they left for the gate the next morning they where summoned to the throne room. Anarion sat before them on his throne with Vala to his right and Eldarin on his left, the rest of the room was filled with the other Royals of the four kingdoms.
When they had walked the length of the room and where stood in front of Anarion he spoke, "Let it be known to all that I declare these four people friends of Eriador, forever welcome in all its lands."
He rose and walked towards them. "These gifts I give to you at our parting and hope that you shall return soon."
Cam and Teal'c were presented with a set of chainmail and a leather jerkin of the Palace guard, "When my sister once again walks among the stars I entrust her safety to you."
They where also given long two handed swords. The where well made and the edge seemed to glow with a cold fire, upon the blade and woven into the cross bar and pommel where blessings in the high tongue.
"To you, my lady, I give a gift befitting of one so beautiful." Sam blushed as he addressed her, "If all the worlds in the sky were but to stop and look at your face then I think all war would end."
She was given a cloth rapped bundle which contained the dress she had worn to the ball but atop her head Anarion placed a small tiara of silver and studded with small white gems.
At last he came to stand before Daniel, "There is no gift I can give you that is greater than the one you already have, the love of my sister. All I can give you is this." He handed to leather books to Daniel and as he did so he leaned in and whispered in his ear, "I also give you my blessing."
"Thank you." Daniel stammered and they all bowed low.
"I shall accompany you to the gate my friends." He told them as he sat back down in his seat, "I wish to speak with your leaders."
It was another hour after that before they set out. Cam and Teal'c had decided to wear the gifts they had been given, if only for the shock effect when they got back through the gate. When they had changed they had been surprised at how light the mail had actually been, they could barley feel it once it was on.
"It is made of a metal that is mined in the High Hills in the West," Eldarin told them when they were preparing to leave, "It will turn away any blade and absorb almost all pulse rifle blasts yet it is extremely light and easy to wear."
The seven of them set out at an easy pace and by nightfall they had reached the way-point they had first stayed in.
They sat in the courtyard around a small fire, enjoying the warm evening.
"I have no doubt that Master Teal'c has some skill with a blade but do you Colonel Mitchell?" Eldarin asked.
"I've been in a few sword fights." Cam answered, he didn't like where this was going.
"Would you agree to a friendly fight?" Vala's cheeky grin sat firmly on her brother's face.
Knowing there was no way to get out of it Cam agreed, "Sure, why not."
From his seat Anarion gave a laugh and Vala, who was sat next to Daniel, groaned as the two men stood.
"Do you two know something we don't?" Daniel asked quietly.
"Cam's about to get pummelled," Vala whispered back, "Eldarin is the best swordsman on the planet." She laughed at the slightly panicked look on Daniel's face.
She was right, and within less than five minuets of starting Cam was on the ground with Eldarin's blade at his throat.
"Do you yield?" Eldarin asked, laughter in his voice.
"Definitely." Cam laughed back.
Eldarin put his hand out and helped Cam up off the ground, he pulled him close and clapped him on the back, "That demonstration was more for Dr Jackson than for you friend," he whispered. Out loud he spoke, "Well met, we will make a swordsman out of you yet!"
Cam only laughed harder.