Chapter 11 – The Story-Teller's Tale

SGA SGA SGA

The child had fallen asleep listening to the story-teller's low, and deep rumbling voice. The story-teller smiled, then picked up his loose-limbed body and drew him, protectively, in towards his chest. He would tell him what happened next tomorrow.

He picked up his coat and flung it over his shoulder; the day had been a warm one. As he walked, the story-teller mulled over the tale he had pictured into the small boy's memory, hoping he had told him it as simply as he could. He could not tell him it in great depth – it was not for such small ears as his to hear. Some bits could have been very uncomfortable for him to learn. Funny how delivering the shortened version had evoked in him the desire to go over it again in his own mind: he winced at the memory of some of it as he continued on his journey with the precious bundle.

The trees, that were an unusual grey/purple colour, seemed to whisper their own story as he walked past the planted avenue of them, on his way back to the settlement. They swayed with the breeze and their podded fruit capsules rattled in time, like a musical instrument with the approaching breezy evening. He worried now for the backlash from his parents: he had not meant to keep him away for so long a time, but they had both been got caught up in the story telling for different reasons.

The story-teller shook his head.

Star Man!

He smirked at the title so many people used for him now. It remained to be seen if he actually like the unofficial name or not. He never said either way, and; no-one thought to ask.

The settlement was now in sight, and the story-teller stopped to adjust his load, before starting towards it. The sky, once so blue, now took on a mixture of oranges with swirls of pink and purple. Together with the luscious grass underfoot, trees that watched over the land, and twin suns', then moons, that were the eyes to guard it; the planet was unexpectedly beautiful. Peaceful almost.

The story-teller was suddenly hit with a wave of melancholy. It was not the first time the feeling crept up on him unawares – probably would not be the last, but he had learnt to deal with it. Even though; past thoughts and feelings also competed with the new circumstances he had found himself in, but he fought them back every time. He had to move on.

Never, did he expect to find himself on this planet, walking on a land he once vehemently considered the home of his sworn enemies – holding close to his chest, Chir-nay; the small son of his personal enemy: Todd.

Star Man's child.

Funny how things change and move on. After the events of the great fight for survival on their return to Pegasus, Ronon; Chir-nay's story-teller, had, had no more reason to doubt the one wraith that John had stuck by for so many years. Throughout these years, Ronon had wanted to kill him several times: in fact, he had been close on many occasions. Todd had hurt his friend. Revenge was required, but John had warned Ronon to never come between them both for they shared something no-one understood: he included.

Ronon looked down at the child wraith: still unbelieving that he could look at one so fondly…and in his arms!

They had come to Todd's home planet at his request. "So you would know us without the sights and sounds of war and fighting!" he had said.

He had not wanted to, of course. Then, John reminded him about how much they had moved on – how much Ronon now accepted.

He was right, of course. Todd had selflessly fought the mutant wraith to save John. Ronon had watched at John's side as Todd had risked his life by throwing himself on the younger and fitter wraith to save him…and he had almost died trying.

He was also very much aware that on the days previous, and after, that he could have fed several times over on any one of them, but he did not.

Carson and Jennifer had finally talked him into listening about the virus that would stop them needing to feed. He took it on board and was content with it. It would go towards his Tribe and the many Queens in the galaxy to decide when it would eventually happen, as they had decided to go ahead with it. They saw the benefit.

Todd/Star Man had done that. Turned the tide of centuries old wars and hatred.

It would take time. It was always going to take time; but it would happen. Ronon could hardly believe it.

Now, back in awareness, Ronon spotted Todd walking towards him, with Ree'ohna waiting on her child's return with a smile on her face: but stopping by the gate to give them space.

It was a matter of trust that Todd would let Ronon take his child for the afternoon again for more story-telling. It was a trust that had been shaky, on both parties, to start with, but it was established now. Ronon would never harm the small, inquisitive child that reminded him of Torren; and Todd, in turn, knew that. Simple.

Ronon relinquished his small burden to his father.

"Did you tell him this time?"

"That you are the Star Man?"

Todd just nodded and lifted his top lip slightly.

"No."

"Good."

Ronon skipped in front of him. "Really. You still don't want me to tell him?"

"No. It would spoil his perception of me."

They started walking again until they were in reach of Todd's wife. "Well, I think he should know." She said, as she had overheard.

Ronon acknowledged her smile his way with a nod of his head and a wink. One day the child would know. Immediately, she and Todd carried on walking back to their house within the settlement, until their backs were just a silhouette of black.

Ronon leaned against one of his favourite trees: its bark had a surprisingly padded feeling, and watched the moons take over from the suns in deep thought. So much so, time had passed without him knowing.

He jerked when a figure spoke beside him. "Penny for them?"

"John. Sorry. I was lost in thought."

"So I see."

Ronon watched his friend's face study him. "What?"

"Just, you. Here. Now. With Todd's kid. I dunno, finding it kinda funny. Y'know."

"Yes. I DO know."

Ronon pushed off the tree. "Kinda like the kid." He mumbled after a while of comfortable companionship.

He watched John nod in agreement. "Not as cute as your kid will be, though."

Ronon beamed. Amelia was due in a month's time and he couldn't wait to be a father and start this new journey with his beautiful wife. It would be a playmate for Lizzie and Tom; John and Teyla's almost one year old twins.

Ronon regarded his friend. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. Why shouldn't I be?"

"No particular reason … it's just… as I was telling Chir-nay about the great fight, I couldn't express to him just all that happened to you, so I missed most of that part out."

John scoffed. "Just as well."

Ronon grabbed his sleeve. "You went through something horrific, John. You …"

"…died. Yes. I know. Been there, done that…"

"John! Stop"!" He said quietly.

John did stop. He turned to look at his friend. "Ronon. I died. Carson brought me back …again! Not planning on doing it another time unless it's of natural causes…and yes, it hurt – you know, that, and the waking up. I took a long time to recover from it, I know – but I did. Thanks to you, Teyla and the others."

Ronon squeezed his arm and let go. "Sorry. Guess I'm in a reminiscing mood after telling Chir-nay stories all afternoon."

"Speaking of which, did you tell him about the time you went falling through a floor trying to save his father's life ...?"

SGASGA SGA

To be continued …

A/N….So did you guess Ronon was the story-teller, and Todd was the Star Man in question?