Disclaimer:
Stargate
SG-1 belongs to MGM and its counterparts. I own nothing, nor am I dealing with
any money.
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The Great Hall
SG-1
stepped light-heartedly from the Stargate, onto a beautiful P3X-941. The probe
had sent back glorious images of a world full of rich landscaping; flowers of
red, yellow and pink; bright blue sky, and never-ending fields of lush green
grass proudly displaying leaf-filled trees of all description. It was a planet
seemingly untouched by any human; the only giveaway of their existence being a
well kept garden around the Stargate, and a cloud of smoke behind the thick
forest to the West.
“Wow….this
is..beautiful.” Carter took of her sunglasses for a better look.
“Yup…but
the trees just do something to me.” Smiled the happy Colonel.
Sam smiled
at him and was about to make a remark when Daniel’s excitement took the better
of him.
“Oh, come
on! I really really want to get to the village and check it out before it gets
dark!” He was practically bouncing with anticipation, grabbing Sam’s sleeve and
tugging it like a child.
“Alright
space monkey. Lead the way.” Jack checked his watch. “We’ve got a whole 24 hours
here campers….”
Daniel
started walking in the direction of the village. “Only 24?”
“Only?”
Jack raised an eyebrow at the young archaeologist, “How much time do ya want?”
“Oh, I was
hoping to spend at least two days here.”
Sam
laughed. “How about a few years? I could live here Daniel. It’s way better than
my poor excuse for a garden!”
Teal’c
smiled, “It is indeed a lavish world. The Goa’uld would strive to control it if
they knew of its existence.”
Jack
stepped over a moss-covered log, admiring its greenness.
“Keep that
in mind kids. It’d just be our luck to run into a couple of snake heads.”
SG-1 walked
in almost complete silence after that. Not really for the sake of keeping an
eye out, but more for taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the world
around them. The forest was beginning to thin, giving way to open plains of
endless rows of flowers.
“Daniel’s
nightmare….” Jack put his sunglasses on.
“What do
you mean?”
Jack
grinned and walked on ahead. “You’ll see.”
No later
than 10 minutes and Daniel understood; sneezing practically every second step,
Daniel was finding himself thankful he was only staying for one day.
“Daniel,
you okay?” Sam passed his glasses back to him after a particularly big sneeze
blew them off his face.
“I’m fine…..just
need to get out of the flowers….*sneeze*”
Sam
laughed, “Don’t worry it’s not far now. I think I can see a structure of some
kind not far ahead.”
Teal’c
scanned ahead. “Major Carter is correct. It appears to be made of some metallic
substance, perhaps gold….”
“Gold….now
why does that make me think Goa’uld?” Jack squinted into the distance, trying
to get a better look, “Just keep an eye out folks….”
Another
half hour and SG-1 was outside the village gates…well city gates.
“Wow! It’s
so much bigger than I had thought!” Daniel looked up at the 10 foot wall
surrounding the complex.
“I’ll
say…what happened to your theory of a small and placid village?” Jack queried.
“Well, it
was only a theory….and it seems placid…doesn’t it?”
“One way to
find out.” Jack walked up to the gates. They were made of a heavy solid wood,
with intricate gold designs decorating the edges, and two big brass door
knockers fashioned in the form of horses about eye level. Jack grasped one of
them and knocked. Soon after, the gates creaked into motion; opening inwards.
Two men clad in neat white robes with gold embroidery emerged.
“Welcome,
would you be so kind as to inform us of the meaning of your presence?” The
taller of the two bowed in politeness.
“Hi. We’re
explorers-“
“Peaceful.”
“-Explorers
from another world. My name is Colonel Jack O’Neill, and this is Major Carter,
Doctor Jackson and Teal’c.” Stated Jack, pointing to each of his team members
in turn.
Daniel took
over the conversation, much to the relief of Jack.
“We mean
you no harm. We’re only here to explore, meet new cultures and people, and
share technology with those willing.”
The taller
man smiled warmly. “Welcome to Midgard, my name is Frey, and this is Fenrir, my
brother. We are the Gate-Keepers.”
Daniel smiled
at the sound of familiar names, but refrained from making a comment to the rest
of the team at that time.
Fenrir
opened his arms out. “Come inside! Make yourself at home!”
Jack
grinned, “Why thank you.”
Once inside
CO and 2IC had to keep dragging the over-excited Daniel away from every
artifact, building or statue they passed.
“Daniel,
we’ll have plenty of time to ourselves after
we’ve finished the tour.” Sam pried Daniel’s fingers off a gold plate and
placed it back in its stand.
“It’s just
so wonderful Sam! I mean look at the detail in all the works here! And there’s
so much culture. I think these people are related to the Vikings of Earth, or
the Norse or Scandinavian folks. But the artwork is a little different…”
“Well then
what’s made you think they’re Norse?”
“Peoples
names….Frey was the Norse god of fruitfulness, prosperity and peace. And Fenrir
was a wolf, one of the god Loki’s offspring. Oh, and the name of the
place…Midgard means ‘Middle Earth’ in Norse mythology.”
Sam smiled.
“Daniel, how ‘bout you tell me while we’re walking?”
“Huh?”
Sam pointed
towards Jack and Teal’c, who were disappearing around a corner.
“Oh, right.
Sorry. I think my enthusiasm is a little high sprung today.”
Daniel took
one last look at the artifact he was holding, and then started after Jack and
Teal’c. Sam laughed at him.
“What’s so
funny?” asked Daniel, running his hands along a hieroglyph-abundant wall.
“You are.
You’re acting like a kid at Christmas…in overdrive.” She grinned at him, then
grabbed his arm before he could pick up the miniature statue his was eyeing.
“Ah! It’s
just so incredible! I mean, you can’t tell me that you wouldn’t be excited if
this was a place filled to the brim with scientific…things…that you’d never
seen before in your life. And it’s especially thrilling to study something that
doesn’t have anything to do with the Goa’uld for once. I was getting so sick of
that stupid tablet we recovered from P3-whatever.”
“Of course
I’d be excited Daniel. But I have control.”
She pulled him forward the three steps needed to reach the Colonel and Teal’c.
“Nice to
see you’ve finally decided to join us Major.” Jack chuckled, looking towards
Daniel who seemed like he was going to burst. “Daniel, you can go exploring
after we have something to eat.”
“Aw Jack,
I’m not-“
“At the
feast we’ve been invited to.” The Colonel couldn’t help but to roll his eyes at
Daniel’s reaction.
“Really?
That’s great! It’ll give me a chance to get to know the people a bit better.
Jack they look as though they’re Nor-“
Jack threw
his hands in the air.
“Ah ah! Not
now Daniel. You can give me your three hour run down of this place when we get
back. Right now, I could use a drink.”
“Well what
are we waiting for?” Daniel gave Jack a gentle shove in the back to get him
moving.
SG-1 walked
through a magnificently adorned archway made of gold bricks, each one bearing
its own symbol, painted in a bright blue. Flowers seemed to be a big thing for
these people, and it was the only thing Daniel disliked. But the earthlings had
to admit that this was by far the most lavish planet they’d visited.
As they
walked into the open room (no roof) the inhabitants stood smiling, clapping
their hands in welcome.
Frey lead
the four to a table at the far end of the room, where his brother Fenrir and
other important-looking people sat.
Once their
visitors were seated, the population took their seats, chatting and laughing.
Fenrir
smiled at them, then gestured towards a man and a woman who were sitting
opposite them.
“This is
Odin and his wife Frigga. They are our leaders. I’m sure they’d love to hear
about your culture.”
The woman
smiled. “Yes, of course. We love visitors and, as you can probably see, we love
our home and people as well. Tell me, by what do you call yourselves? We are
the Midgardians, as this world’s name suggests.”
Daniel
smiled in awe. “We are known as the Tau’ri, ah, we come from a planet called
Earth.”
Odin
started laughing, “We have heard of the Tau’ri, and their victories against the
Evil Ones. We are very pleased to have finally met you!”
“Evil Ones?
The Goa’uld?” Jack said, gently placing his cup back on the table.
“That is
correct. Although we have never been in battle with them before, we are told
that they commit terrible sins. And although they are not fully aware of our
existence, we are wary.” Frigga offered a plate of food to Teal’c. “You bear a
different mark. A familiar mark…”
Teal’c
accepted an item of food from the plate, and bowed his head in thanks.
“I once
served the Goa’uld, until I realized what they were. Nothing but treacherous
snakes. It was not until I met the Tau’ri that I was finally able to free
myself.”
“I see. So
there is still hope for your kind.” Frigga turned her attention to Sam. “It is
not often that we are graced with the presence of a foreign woman. Most that
come through the Chapa’ai are men. I’m sure you won’t mind taking a look around
the places here that are set aside for the women, it would be my pleasure to
show you personally.”
“Wow, thank
you. That would be wonderful.” Sam grinned, pleased that the culture valued
women more than some of the other planets.
Frigga
laughed, and then spoke to Jack. “It would seem you are the leader of this
group?”
“That’s
right. And I’d just like to say thanks for the warm welcome.”
“It is our
pleasure. I’m sure my husband would love to talk to you about the workings of
your race. He is very interested in new people.”
“That would
be great.”
SG-1 and
the people at their table continued to chat for what seemed like hours. Daniel
was enjoying himself immensely, but was really eager to go exploring. Much to
his relief, Odin began to stand, picking up a golden batten as he did. Walking
a few steps to his left, the finely dressed man lifted the implement, and
struck a brilliantly coloured gong. The low-pitched sound resounded around the
happy population, and people began to rise from their seats.
“Now, my
friends Frigga and I would love to show you around. Feel free to look at
anything you wish. And I love questions!” Odin boomed happily.
Daniel was
on his feet in a flash. He’d been eyeing the top of a domed building that he
could see from his sitting spot, and was dying to take a look at it.
Odin waved
his hand in the direction of the archway.
“Come come!
There is much we want to share with you.”
Once back
in the streets, which were now full of busy people, Frigga and Odin lead the
team through every part in the city, but did not venture inside buildings.
Daniel had already taken hundreds of photos, and was still eager for more. The
whole of Midgard was decorated. There wasn’t a door or a pot that didn’t have a
streak of gold running through it, and there was no sign of poor health, or
status within the people.
“Everybody
here must be so happy.” Daniel remarked, to no one in particular.
“We’ve
always cared more about the people who live here that ourselves. We want
absolutely everybody to have the same thing. Nobody is without a home, clothes,
food, and we have no crime, no sickness (although we are not without it
either), and in return the people look after the city in so many ways.” Odin
proudly folded his arms. “But, it is getting dark, and there are things that I
want to show you.”
Frigga laid
a hand on Sam’s shoulder.
“Would you
mind coming with me? I’d like to take you inside the great hall, it has been
reserved for women for as long as Midgard has been standing.”
Sam looked
at the Colonel.
“Sure, just
remember that we have to be back in…3 hours.”
“Yes Sir,
thanks.”
Frigga
pointed at the structure. “Would you and the rest of your team like to meet us
outside when you’re ready?”
While Jack
answered Frigaa, Daniel’s jaw dropped. The one place in Midgard that he was
dying to see just happened to be restricted. Following Frigga’s finger another
time, Daniel stared longingly at the glistening domed structure that he’d seen
from his table at lunch. And he had to admit, that he was extremely
disappointed. Reluctantly, he forced his gaze back to the group.
“I would
love to show you the gardens.” Odin beckoned Jack, Daniel and Teal’c to follow,
while Sam and Frigga headed off towards the Great Hall.
After hours
of sneezing and tripping over, Daniel was about to ask Odin if he could have a
look at a few structures instead of so many flowers, but he was let down by
Jack’s statement that they had to leave. Sure, the flowers were pretty, and the
gardens were amazing, but Daniel really wanted to sink his teeth into artifacts
and hieroglyphs. Walking back, Jack knew Daniel was sulking.
“Hey, I’m
sure Carter will tell ya all about it.”
Daniel managed
a wry smile. Jack chuckled.
“Hey, at
least we weren’t attacked….Carter wasn’t kidnapped, Teal’c didn’t insult
anyone, you’re still alive and I didn’t wind up with any broken bones or
bruises.”
He had to
agree with that….
Once back
in the city, Daniel was getting rather jealous.
“I am so
glad you visited. Perhaps you could come back some time?” Odin smiled at the
three as they waited outside the Great Hall.
“Oh you
bet. This place is paradise.” Jack patted Odin on the arm.
“We will be
having a special feast, 500 days from now to celebrate the founding of Midgard.
Perhaps you would like to join us?”
“Well, if
we can make it back then, I’m sure you’ll se us in 500 days.” Jack grinned, he
was beginning to think of Midgard as a nice place to retire.
Odin shook
each of the men’s hands. “I must attend other business, hopefully Frigga won’t
be much longer, although she does like to talk a great deal about who built
this and when, and of the workings of our gods….hmm….she should be along very
soon. Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to meeting you again.
Farewell.”
Odin
light-footedly walked back towards the golden archway, leaving the three men to
wait for Carter. Daniel was getting annoyed, he didn’t learn as much as he’d
hoped to, and he really wanted to go home and forget about it. In fact, he
secretly told himself that that was what he was going to do. It wasn’t that he
was pissed off, just heavily disappointed and downhearted. After all, he lived
on other cultures….
Soon after,
the doors of the Great Hall began to swing open. Daniel squinted, trying to
peek into the building, but it was too dark inside to see.
Frigga and
Sam emerged; still chatting about whatever it was that was inside. Daniel hoped
to catch the end of their conversation, but Frigga stopped talking about it
when they reached the men. Sam thanked Frigga immensely, telling her that it
was the most amazing thing she’d ever seen. Now
Daniel was green, they’d seen some pretty amazing things before, but whatever
this was, it was obviously better.
“Yes,” Jack
cut into Sam’s gratefulness “Thank you for everything. But, we really must be
going.”
Frigga
smiled at them, “It is I who should thank you.
I only hope that you return someday.”
Jack
pretended to think “Ah, 500 days seem soon enough?”
Frigga
laughed, “So Odin has told you of the festival. Yes, I hope to see you then! It
grows dark, you must leave before it becomes too hard to see where you walk.
Farewell!”
After a few
more thank you’s SG-1 started walking back to the Gate. Jack had left them an
hour, just so they didn’t have to rush. Sam was practically skipping. Daniel
did his best to ignore her, but Sam thought he might want to know what she saw
and was happily spurting it all back to him the whole way to the Gate. Daniel groaned.
“…it was
just so amazing Daniel. You would have loved
it!”
“Thank you
Sam, I feel so much better.” Sam caught the sarcasm in his tone, and grinned.
“Maybe next
time.”
“I’m not
holding my breath.” Daniel walked up to the DHD and, in a huff, dialed Earth.
Sam’s grin turned into a full fledged smile. Poor guy.
Jack patted
Daniel on the shoulder in mock comfort.
“Don’t
worry Danny Boy, I’m sure Carter’s got lots more to tell ya.”
“Ha ha…can
we just go home, I really need a clean tissue, and a strong dose of coffee.”
5 minutes
later and the four stepped though Earth’s Stargate. As always they were greeted
by the familiar voice of General Hammond.
“Welcome
back SG-1. Debriefing in one hour.”
Daniel
rolled his eyes. ‘This is going to be hell’ he thought.
And he was
right. Daniel just sat there, the whole time listening to Sam give out more
information on the culture of Midgard than he had thought. If envy was a bomb,
the world was doomed. Daniel clenched his fists under the table, and made a mental
note to bring either a pair of ear plugs, or a gag just in case they ever came
back from another planet where Sam found something he didn’t. It was killing
him, and the mental pictures of the Great Hall were useless, despite Sam’s
detailed report.
When it was
finally over Daniel walked in silence back to his quarters. Flinging open his
door and running a hand through his hair, he made his way to his desk.
“Might as
well write up my diary seeing as though it’s only going to take 5 minutes this
time.” Daniel picked up a pen from the edge of his desk, and then reached for
his diary but something else caught his eye before he had a chance to even
touch it. There was a tag, labeled with his name, poking out from under his
diary. Lifting the four-year-old book away, he saw a small, flat, rectangular parcel
sitting proudly on his desk. He picked it up and opened it, causing a piece of
paper to fall out and flitter to the ground. He looked down at it, “Sorry for
the torture” it read, the words big enough for him to read at a distance.
Confused he looked inside the parcel and pulled out a tape, labeled “Watch Me”.
Frowning, he slid the tape into his VCR, and watched as the television came to
life. All of a sudden Daniel realized what it was. Grinning madly, he grabbed a
pen and pad, ready to jot down anything of notice as he watched Sam’s brilliant
recording of the Great Hall.
“Angel.”
Fin~