Disclaimer: The characters of, "Stargate: SG-1" and "Stargate Atlantis", are owned by Robert C. Cooper, Brad Wright, Sci-Fi Channel and whoever else was involved with the creation and production of these two shows. Any new characters and story lines that come into play are of my own creation. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a fanfiction intended for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made off of it.

Chapter 21: Escape

The passageway was old and the mustiness of the air was beginning to bother Weir's senses. Its rough-hewn tunneling reminded her of a spring twisting and turning downward deep into the rocky earth. She was walking behind Charage and slightly to his right. She was able to be within the light of the glowing crystal that shone on the floor revealing loose stones that could easily turn an ankle.

After traveling for what seemed like hours and for several miles, the tunnel began to climb steadily upward. Several parts of the climb had rough-hewn steps within the rock but most of it was a smoothed out path like a deer path set upon a hill.

She thought about the being walking before her, supposedly leading her to freedom. She wondered at his purpose for freeing her and one thing she could think of was that he was rebelling against Ereshkigal. Maybe, he didn't believe that Ereshkigal was a Goddess and that the Ancients, and therefore their descendents, weren't evil.

Finally, the path ended at a blank, smooth wall of rock. He pushed a stone on the top right and a seamless door opened. A rush of air filled the tunnel and when she followed him outside, glittering starlight and a waxing moon met them.

She took several deep breaths of the clean, night air glad to leave the mustiness of the tunnel behind her.

"Come, we must hurry," he said as he touched the crystal and the light went out.

She followed him into the woods onto a path choked with grass and weeds, but she could see stones off to the sides that had once blocked the path. It was a path that you would have to know was there.

Soon, they were deep into the woods where the trees were larger and canopied over the path, blocking out the moonlight, so Charage had to activate the light crystal.

Sounds of night creatures came to her ears and she strained her eyes to peer into the darkness to see if those creatures were close. She looked at her rescuer before her and saw that the sounds didn't bother him.

She heard a wild animal near her that caused her to jump. She realized her stomach was reminding her that she hadn't eaten in a couple of days. She licked her lips as images of food entered her mind and felt the cracks and dryness on them did she recall that she hadn't had anything to drink either.

Two figures cloaked in black came swiftly out from behind trees, holding long, spears which brought Weir and Charage to an abrupt halt.

"I am here with this descendant of the Ancients to be brought before Cirkinen."

The two Tigrians look at each other and the one on the right nods his head. "Follow us."

Weir stayed close to Charage wondering where they were going, who Cirkinen was, and what he had to do with all of this.

They came to a cleared area in the forest that had over two dozen tents made from cloth that blended into the colors of the forests. The two Tirgrians lead them to the center of the tents that she realized were set in layers of circles.

Cirkinen had the same narrow face, as Charage and even the same colored eyes that made her wonder if, they are related.

"Brother, you have brought the descendant of the Ancients before us. I am Cirkinen," he said with a nod of his head. "Let us share our wisdom and knowledge together but first we shall give you food to eat and clear water to drink."

Cirkinen lead them to a large tent at the center of the circling tents. He lifted up the flap and allowed them to enter first. The tent had light crystals hanging from poles that held the tent up. The light cast down upon the soft pillows laid out in a circle on the floor and on the far side of the tent was a table laden with all sorts of food and jugs of water.

He must had seen the hesitation on her face and walked up to the table. He took a piece from everything on the table and ate it. Then he poured himself a drink from the jug of water. Once he had finished is demonstration that the food hadn't been poisoned he turned back to them.

"I see that you believe that all the Tigrians believe that the Ancients were evil and that their great and dark purpose was to destroy us or enslave us. Please accept the food and drink we have provided."

Weir followed Charage to the table and collected a vast selection of food onto a plate and a cup of water, which she brought it to the circle of pillows on the floor.

She chose a pillow that faced the doorway and ate. As she took bites of her food, she studied the two Tigrians before her. As Charage ate from his own plate, Cirkinen asked questions about the escape. Charage would answer with short, but he clearly didn't want to reveal the secrets of the tunnel.

Once she had finished eating, Cirkinen turned his attention to her. "For a long time, we Tigrians believed the words and stories of the Goddess Ereshkigal. When she left, some of us decided to look into our history, but it was difficult."

"You are weary and we shall discuss this more once you've had a long rest. Allow me to lead you to your tent," he said as he stood up. She and Charage followed suit.

Charage looked towards the door and then back to Cirkinen. "I need to return to the Archives."

She saw disappointment in the Tigrian's eyes. "Of course, brother. I shall keep you informed."

Charage shook his head. "No, it is far too dangerous to have messages between us. Do what you must and I shall aid you when I can but we cannot allow our connection to be discovered."

She watched as he left the tent leaving behind heaviness between him and his brother.

Cirkinen looked at her with sadness in his eyes. He walked to the opening and held it open for her. "Come and let me show you to your tent."

She followed him, wanting to ask many questions but she was too tired to speak. She did wonder if Ereshkigal had discovered her disappearance and what the self-proclaimed Goddess would do.

The loud crash echoed around the massive columns of the room. Ereshkigal turned away from the shattered pieces of the crystal that had revealed to the Tigrians her identity. The members of the Assembly that were sitting in the cried out but she ignored them and ordered them to leave. They scurried out knowing that they didn't want to end up as a target to the Goddess' anger.

She had wanted Colonel Sheppard to come to her but someone had taken Elizabeth Weir from the dungeons without anyone seeing. It had to have been a Tigrian. Her plans weren't unraveling like threads in a blanket but were like a spider's web in a hurricane.

She wasn't going to allow her plans to blow apart. She would use everything in her power to keep her plans together.

"Guards!" She yelled out and they came to her as though a strong wind had pushed them to her. "Send out all of the guards and find the escaped prisoner. No harm is to come to her. Place more guards around the gateway to the other worlds. No one is to pass through the gate!"

The guards bowed low and she dismissed them with a wave of her hand; they turned and rushed out of the room to do her bidding.

She smiled reassured that Weir could not escape from the planet. The punishments that she would inflict upon her and on whoever had helped her to escape would send ripples throughout her realm and beyond. It would signify that she wasn't going to allow anyone to go against her.