The Road Not Taken; Chapter One: Old Friends
Title: The Road Not Taken
Chapter: 1. Old Friends
Author: sasusc
Characters: Teyla Emmagan, Halling, Kanaan
Word Count: 1614
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine, just a fan with ideas.
Previous: Prologue, Chapter One, Chapter Two
Teyla paused in mid-step.
“What is it?” Rodney asked. He glanced around the forest nervously but found nothing amiss.
She shook her head and closed her eyes. Something was here; she could feel it. It wasn’t a malevolent presence. Loneliness rolled off it. It hurt; cut her deep, making her flinch. It felt wraith-like except she'd never known a wraith to feel loneliness before. And underneath the loneliness was a powerful want. She wasn’t sure what the presence wanted so deeply, but it made her ache. She wanted to fulfill this want, whatever it may be.
“Teyla?”
She snapped out of her thoughts and smiled at the scientist. “It’s nothing. I…thought I heard something.”
“Like what?”
Ronon saved her from answering that she didn’t know by talking on the radio. He and John had found an abandon underground settlement that they wanted to check out. It took them ten minutes to meet up with John and Ronon.
* * * * *
EIGHT HOURS LATER
She had a whole entire week to spend with her people on New Athos, and she was going to spend it carefully. Her people were still rebuilding their homes on this planet and she wanted to help as much as she could. She felt guilty for not being there to help them.
She smiled as she stepped through the gate and saw the group of people waiting for her arrival. Halling was the first to greet her in their traditional greeting of touching forehead to forehead. She greeted several other Athosians in this manner before turning back to Halling.
Halling grinned as he escorted her into the main settlement. “We all are glad that you are able to spend some time with us.”
“As am I.” She paused as she placed a hand on his arm. “There’s a…certain matter I wish to discuss. Is there some place private we can go?”
He nodded. He walked her into the nearby forest down a well used path. They didn’t speak for several minutes. Halling knew she was gathering her words to speak. What ever this matter was, it was very important to Teyla.
“I haven’t been the greatest leader for our people.”
Halling smiled gently. “You’ve done your best. We’re alive, and we no longer fear a culling as we once have.”
“Everything I’ve done was for my people.” She sighed. “And this is why I’ve decided it’s long past time for me to step down as the leader to our people.” Halling paused and waited for her to continue. Teyla stopped walking too. “I spend more time on Atlantis than I do with my own people. I can’t lead them if I’m not there to guide them. They need a leader that will be there for them--that understands their needs much better than I.”
“You’ve already made up your mind about this, haven’t you?” Teyla nodded. Halling took her hands into his and squeezed them. “You’re a wise woman, and I trust your judgment. But are you positive this is the right decision?”
“I’ve been thinking on this matter for months now. There is no way I could leave Atlantis. There is still much I could do there to help our people.”
“You want me to call a meeting to decided who’s the best candidate,” he stated calmly. Teyla was grateful that Halling knew her so well. He clapped her on the back before turning them around to head back to the settlement. “You’re in luck, my good friend. We’re celebrating a new birth--the first Athosian to be born on New Athos.”
She frowned. “Who? I don’t recall anyone expecting a child.”
“You remember Kanaan?”
“His family moved to another settlement when we were ten.”
Halling nodded. “His youngest sister was expecting a child. She wanted to moved closer to the Ring of the Ancestors for the birthing. The child--a girl--was born during the middle of the night. We’re holding a celebration, and most of the outer settlements will be at the welcome ceremony. We could put a vote out on who is the most capable of taking over leadership of our people.”
“Do you have any one specific in mind?”
“Yermon would make an excellent leader.”
She nodded. “Yermon has been one of my top choices as well.”
“And I’ve heard great things about Kanaan. He possesses the gift almost as strongly as you do. He’s been very active in his community and even have been requested as an mediator for most disputes.”
“You like him more than Yermon.”
“I have nothing against Yermon, but… Yermon has other responsibilities. He has three children to raise, and he just took in two more. His wife has many off world connections.”
“But?”
“She’s easily swayed.”
Teyla nodded in understanding. “And she has Yermon’s ear.”
“Kanaan has no family?”
“His parents were culled awhile ago, and his only family left is his sister. He has less off world connects than most, but he’s a very strong diplomat. Friendly and outgoing, he could easily gain enough backing to lead.”
“You would be excellent leader,” Teyla threw out to him.
Halling laughed. “I have no ambition to lead our people, and you know that. These last few years have shown me that I’m not up to handling leadership.”
Teyla shook her head. “You’ve done well in my absences, Halling.”
“But there are others who could have done better than me.”
They reached the village. She patted her friend’s shoulder. “Please inform the others we’ll be choosing a new leader. I would like to have this done quickly--before I’m forced back to Atlantis in a week. We don’t have to decide on anyone today.”
The Athosian grinned down at her. “Come. Let’s not think of this matter again until later. Kanaan has been impatient to see you.”
“It has been a long time since I last saw him. I’ll enjoy talking to him again.”
Halling agreed. “He’ll have many questions for you. Living in one of the outer settlements, Kanaan hasn’t had the chance to meet many new people. And he hasn’t really had a chance to talk to the Atlanteans. He reminds me of Jinto in that regards.”
THREE DAYS LATER
It was over dinner that night that she realized she was attracted to Kanaan. He was smart and funny. She could spend hours talking to him, or even just listening to him talk. It didn’t feel like they have only reacquainted themselves; she felt like she knew him all his life. He was also one of the few people she could really talk about and understand the Gift. He was shocked, but not appalled or disgusted to learn how they received the Gift. He took it calmly and even joked that it was the only good thing a Wraith as ever given them.
How could she not like him? She had watched him with the other women around, and they couldn’t resist his charming attitude. But Kanaan didn’t seem to noticed any of the attention the women gave to him. He treated them all the same way. It saddened her to know that she was in the same boat as the other women. He didn’t treat her any different. He was completely clueless to any of the hints she tried to broadcast.
“What are you thinking about?”
Teyla flushed slightly. She was glad that it was dark out and he couldn’t see her blush. “Nothing.”
Kanaan sighed. “Do you really think I would make a good leader? I could never have done what you have done. I could never have gone to live with the Atlanteans to help our people.”
“It was a hard decision. I still ask myself if I had made the right decision to join them and leave my people.”
“If you hadn’t, we wouldn’t have found this planet. We wouldn’t have known there were planets out there that the Wraith know nothing about.” He smiled a boyish grin. “There’s many things that you’ve done to help us.”
They sat in silence, staring out at the stars. They were sitting on a bench placed closed to the edge of the forest. There were still a few people walking around the village, although they were putting away the day’s work and getting ready for bed.
“This may be strange, but have you felt a presence? Since noon, I’ve felt this presence. It sort of the same feelings I feel when I sense the Wraith.”
Teyla nodded and closed her eyes. Yes, she felt the same thing. It was the same presence she felt on her last mission. It must have followed her to New Athos, but she wasn’t sure how it managed to do that. Colonel Sheppard would not be happy to learn that something was tracking her. He would want to captured it and find out what it wanted. That wasn’t a bad idea, but she didn’t want to frighten it which she knew John and Ronon would do if they got their hands on it. Maybe she and Kanaan could search out the creature and talk to it before she told John.
Kanaan jumped up. She opened her eyes to find him grinning down at her. “Do you think it could be someone like us? Someone that has the Gift--Wraith DNA--and able to sense the Wraith coming? Maybe they came here to find us.”
“It’s possible,” Teyla replied. She didn’t add that she thought that was improbable. “We could search for this presence tomorrow.”
Kanaan nodded. “Yes, that would be great. We better get some sleep. I want to search for it early in the morning. Goodnight, Teyla. May the Ancestors look after you.”
Comments, reviews, and squeels are much appreciated! :P
Chapter: 1. Old Friends
Author: sasusc
Characters: Teyla Emmagan, Halling, Kanaan
Word Count: 1614
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine, just a fan with ideas.
Previous: Prologue, Chapter One, Chapter Two
Teyla paused in mid-step.
“What is it?” Rodney asked. He glanced around the forest nervously but found nothing amiss.
She shook her head and closed her eyes. Something was here; she could feel it. It wasn’t a malevolent presence. Loneliness rolled off it. It hurt; cut her deep, making her flinch. It felt wraith-like except she'd never known a wraith to feel loneliness before. And underneath the loneliness was a powerful want. She wasn’t sure what the presence wanted so deeply, but it made her ache. She wanted to fulfill this want, whatever it may be.
“Teyla?”
She snapped out of her thoughts and smiled at the scientist. “It’s nothing. I…thought I heard something.”
“Like what?”
Ronon saved her from answering that she didn’t know by talking on the radio. He and John had found an abandon underground settlement that they wanted to check out. It took them ten minutes to meet up with John and Ronon.
* * * * *
EIGHT HOURS LATER
She had a whole entire week to spend with her people on New Athos, and she was going to spend it carefully. Her people were still rebuilding their homes on this planet and she wanted to help as much as she could. She felt guilty for not being there to help them.
She smiled as she stepped through the gate and saw the group of people waiting for her arrival. Halling was the first to greet her in their traditional greeting of touching forehead to forehead. She greeted several other Athosians in this manner before turning back to Halling.
Halling grinned as he escorted her into the main settlement. “We all are glad that you are able to spend some time with us.”
“As am I.” She paused as she placed a hand on his arm. “There’s a…certain matter I wish to discuss. Is there some place private we can go?”
He nodded. He walked her into the nearby forest down a well used path. They didn’t speak for several minutes. Halling knew she was gathering her words to speak. What ever this matter was, it was very important to Teyla.
“I haven’t been the greatest leader for our people.”
Halling smiled gently. “You’ve done your best. We’re alive, and we no longer fear a culling as we once have.”
“Everything I’ve done was for my people.” She sighed. “And this is why I’ve decided it’s long past time for me to step down as the leader to our people.” Halling paused and waited for her to continue. Teyla stopped walking too. “I spend more time on Atlantis than I do with my own people. I can’t lead them if I’m not there to guide them. They need a leader that will be there for them--that understands their needs much better than I.”
“You’ve already made up your mind about this, haven’t you?” Teyla nodded. Halling took her hands into his and squeezed them. “You’re a wise woman, and I trust your judgment. But are you positive this is the right decision?”
“I’ve been thinking on this matter for months now. There is no way I could leave Atlantis. There is still much I could do there to help our people.”
“You want me to call a meeting to decided who’s the best candidate,” he stated calmly. Teyla was grateful that Halling knew her so well. He clapped her on the back before turning them around to head back to the settlement. “You’re in luck, my good friend. We’re celebrating a new birth--the first Athosian to be born on New Athos.”
She frowned. “Who? I don’t recall anyone expecting a child.”
“You remember Kanaan?”
“His family moved to another settlement when we were ten.”
Halling nodded. “His youngest sister was expecting a child. She wanted to moved closer to the Ring of the Ancestors for the birthing. The child--a girl--was born during the middle of the night. We’re holding a celebration, and most of the outer settlements will be at the welcome ceremony. We could put a vote out on who is the most capable of taking over leadership of our people.”
“Do you have any one specific in mind?”
“Yermon would make an excellent leader.”
She nodded. “Yermon has been one of my top choices as well.”
“And I’ve heard great things about Kanaan. He possesses the gift almost as strongly as you do. He’s been very active in his community and even have been requested as an mediator for most disputes.”
“You like him more than Yermon.”
“I have nothing against Yermon, but… Yermon has other responsibilities. He has three children to raise, and he just took in two more. His wife has many off world connections.”
“But?”
“She’s easily swayed.”
Teyla nodded in understanding. “And she has Yermon’s ear.”
“Kanaan has no family?”
“His parents were culled awhile ago, and his only family left is his sister. He has less off world connects than most, but he’s a very strong diplomat. Friendly and outgoing, he could easily gain enough backing to lead.”
“You would be excellent leader,” Teyla threw out to him.
Halling laughed. “I have no ambition to lead our people, and you know that. These last few years have shown me that I’m not up to handling leadership.”
Teyla shook her head. “You’ve done well in my absences, Halling.”
“But there are others who could have done better than me.”
They reached the village. She patted her friend’s shoulder. “Please inform the others we’ll be choosing a new leader. I would like to have this done quickly--before I’m forced back to Atlantis in a week. We don’t have to decide on anyone today.”
The Athosian grinned down at her. “Come. Let’s not think of this matter again until later. Kanaan has been impatient to see you.”
“It has been a long time since I last saw him. I’ll enjoy talking to him again.”
Halling agreed. “He’ll have many questions for you. Living in one of the outer settlements, Kanaan hasn’t had the chance to meet many new people. And he hasn’t really had a chance to talk to the Atlanteans. He reminds me of Jinto in that regards.”
THREE DAYS LATER
It was over dinner that night that she realized she was attracted to Kanaan. He was smart and funny. She could spend hours talking to him, or even just listening to him talk. It didn’t feel like they have only reacquainted themselves; she felt like she knew him all his life. He was also one of the few people she could really talk about and understand the Gift. He was shocked, but not appalled or disgusted to learn how they received the Gift. He took it calmly and even joked that it was the only good thing a Wraith as ever given them.
How could she not like him? She had watched him with the other women around, and they couldn’t resist his charming attitude. But Kanaan didn’t seem to noticed any of the attention the women gave to him. He treated them all the same way. It saddened her to know that she was in the same boat as the other women. He didn’t treat her any different. He was completely clueless to any of the hints she tried to broadcast.
“What are you thinking about?”
Teyla flushed slightly. She was glad that it was dark out and he couldn’t see her blush. “Nothing.”
Kanaan sighed. “Do you really think I would make a good leader? I could never have done what you have done. I could never have gone to live with the Atlanteans to help our people.”
“It was a hard decision. I still ask myself if I had made the right decision to join them and leave my people.”
“If you hadn’t, we wouldn’t have found this planet. We wouldn’t have known there were planets out there that the Wraith know nothing about.” He smiled a boyish grin. “There’s many things that you’ve done to help us.”
They sat in silence, staring out at the stars. They were sitting on a bench placed closed to the edge of the forest. There were still a few people walking around the village, although they were putting away the day’s work and getting ready for bed.
“This may be strange, but have you felt a presence? Since noon, I’ve felt this presence. It sort of the same feelings I feel when I sense the Wraith.”
Teyla nodded and closed her eyes. Yes, she felt the same thing. It was the same presence she felt on her last mission. It must have followed her to New Athos, but she wasn’t sure how it managed to do that. Colonel Sheppard would not be happy to learn that something was tracking her. He would want to captured it and find out what it wanted. That wasn’t a bad idea, but she didn’t want to frighten it which she knew John and Ronon would do if they got their hands on it. Maybe she and Kanaan could search out the creature and talk to it before she told John.
Kanaan jumped up. She opened her eyes to find him grinning down at her. “Do you think it could be someone like us? Someone that has the Gift--Wraith DNA--and able to sense the Wraith coming? Maybe they came here to find us.”
“It’s possible,” Teyla replied. She didn’t add that she thought that was improbable. “We could search for this presence tomorrow.”
Kanaan nodded. “Yes, that would be great. We better get some sleep. I want to search for it early in the morning. Goodnight, Teyla. May the Ancestors look after you.”
Comments, reviews, and squeels are much appreciated! :P