Nayleia's Heritage

***ESCAPE FROM LAHAL***

Nayleia awoke with a start. The sounds outside the hut had ceased and the entire village was quiet. She glanced across the pallet to see that ‘The Stubborn One’, as she secretly thought of him, was still asleep. She needed to wake him…the time to escape had come.
His assault on her body had lasted just over an hour. Just long enough to assuage most of the discomfort and debilitating effects of the drug. As soon as the worst was past, he had rolled off, turning his back to her. She had dragged herself away from him and curled into a ball. It wasn’t long before consciousness slipped from her body.

Nayleia slowly unfolded her body and prepared herself mentally for the pain of getting up. She felt like an old woman as she silently, painstakingly drew her clothes on. There was no time to adjust the ties so she left them loose. She turned next to wake ‘The Stubborn One’, only to see a pair of eyes studying her through the gloom of the lamplight.

Without being told, Ronon knew that the time to leave had come, and so he tried to get up from the pallet unassisted. Nayleia briefly watched him struggle before bending to assist him since she knew that he would not be able to get up or move unassisted for some time. Her proffered hand was ignored, and instead Ronon used the side of the hut for support as he painstakingly dragged himself to his feet. The effort left him panting and a cold sweat dotted his brow.

“You must let me help you,” Nayleia said quietly, reaching for Ronon once more.

“Don’t…don’t touch me,” Ronon panted, “Just lead the way to the others, I don’t need your help.”

Nayleia contemplated the stubborn set of Ronon’s jaw and his run-down appearance. He stood waiting, as if impatient for her to turn towards the door, and yet Nayleia noted that he resolutely refused to look at her. His brief statements were delivered gruffly, and directed to a point above her head.

“I can see that you don’t need my help,” Nayleia said indicating the arm that Ronon was using to keep himself propped upright on the wall, “I want to escape from this village and I’m not going to allow a stubborn Ormu to prevent me from getting away from here. So shut up and let me help you. We have to move fast, before the village starts to stir.”

Nayleia did not wait for Ronon to accept her help,she simply grabbed the arm he was using to support himself against the wall. Ronon had no choice but to wrap his other arm around her shoulders, to prevent himself from crashing to the floor and possibly waking the guards. Their progress to the doorway was slow and by the time they reached the door, the sweat dotting Ronon’s brow had become rivulets. After signaling to Ronon that she was going to check on the location of the guards, Nayleia waited only long enough for him to hold onto the wall, before she slipped away to the door. It was predictably unlocked and so she was able to ease it open and peep outside.

Both guards were no where to be seen and after slipping out to do a brief reconnoiter, Nayleia surmised that they had joined the festivities in the main part of the village. Ronon was waiting where she had left him, and when she drew his arm around her shoulders to provide support, he did not resist her. Their progress across the village was necessarily slow especially since Nayleia chose a less direct route to the hut where Sheppard and the rest of the team were being held.

They finally arrived at the hut and Nayleia eased Ronon to the ground and released his arm. He sank to the ground without a sound, impressing Nayleia with his tolerance to the painful bolts that should be shooting through his body from the exertion.

“Wait here, I have to get your friends. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Nayleia whispered to Ronon as he lay silently panting.


**********


The scratching and creaking of boards at the back of the hut woke Colonel Sheppard from the light sleep he had fallen into. He quickly woke the others, using signs to indicate that there was activity at the back of the hut and that they should be ready to pounce if need be. He then went to the wall where the sounds were coming from and tried to assess whether their co-conspirator had returned or if some new threat was emerging.

A slim hand finally eased the first board away from the wall, creating an open space where the board once was. The second board came away faster and the third just as fast. Nayleia was finally able to squeeze her crouching body through the space in the wall, only to feel hands grab onto her, dragging her fully into the hut.

“Wuh---?” Nayleia was able to stifle the cry of surprise before it woke the rest of the village.

Two sets of hands held her and she was roughly spun around to see that the leader and the woman held her.

“It’s me, from earlier today. I am Nayleia, I’ve come to keep my end of our bargain,” she said quickly.

“You were supposed to get our friend, where is he…I don’t see him?”

Teyla’s question was expected, and yet the extreme concern evident in her voice reminded Nayleia of Teyla’s earlier reaction to the news that their friend was being drugged. She wanted to ask what the relationship was between Teyla and ‘The Stubborn One’, unfortunately the time to ask questions was not now.

“Your friend awaits you outside. I had to hide him in the shadows before coming to get you.”

“Why didn’t Ronon come with you, the Ronon I know would never sit back and let someone else take all the risk?” Colonel Sheppard eyed Nayleia suspiciously.

“Please, your friend was given a large dose of the drugs, he can barely walk. When we get outside you’re going to have to carry him, it’s the only way. Now come on…we must hurry before someone awakens and discovers us!”

Recognizing the dire circumstances, Sheppard quickly led the way out of the hut closely followed by Teyla, a strangely silent McKay, and their rescuer. Outside the hut Nayleia led them to where Ronon lay in the shadows. She watched as Teyla rushed to Ronon’s side, closely followed by the two men. She saw Ronon once more try to stand unassisted, and as before, fail in the attempt. The two men grasped one each of Ronon’s arms and with Nayleia leading and Teyla bringing up the rear, they quickly and quietly made their way out of the village.

When they had left the village some distance behind Sheppard called a halt.

“Why are we stopping? We mustn’t stop, if our escape is discovered we could be overrun very quickly!” Nayleia cried.

“We need to decide what we’re going to do.” Sheppard tried to sound reasonable as he answered her.

“Let’s just go to The Ring of the Ancestors and we can go to your world. Let’s just leave, please!” Nayleia was close to tears and her voice rose shrilly. The events of the night had finally caught up and she was going into shock.

Sheppard had seen a lot of people in shock and recognized the signs. He wondered what had happened to reduce Nayleia to her present state, considering she had been very cool when she had negotiated with him earlier.

“We have to decide what we are doing because we lost very important devices back at your village. Without those devices which we call G.D.Os, we can’t return to our home.”

Sheppard spoke slowly, radiating calm. He knew Nayleia would not understand that without their G.D.Os they could not signal to Atlantis to lower the shield that guarded the Gate. Her panic however, was real and needed to be dampened down.

“Colonel, might I suggest we go to the Beta Site and find our way from there? Nayleia is right we need to get away, Ronon is insensible and needs medical attention.” Teyla’s suggestion was reasonable and they were once more on their way.

It took them an hour to reach the Gate burdened down with Ronon. Teyla was right when she had observed that he had passed out. It was left to Sheppard and McKay to lug his weight to the Gate. When they were close to the Gate Nayleia sped off to one side of the track, and did not respond when Sheppard called out to her. Teyla ran behind her only to discover her removing bushes from a shallow trench to reveal their weapons, packs and of all things…their G.D.Os.

“How did you manage this?” Teyla asked, helping Nayleia take up the weapons and packs and carry them towards the Gate.

“After we spoke I stole these things from Harla’s personal stores. I don’t know what they are for, but they seemed important,” Nayleia answered simply.

They rejoined the group laden with the weapons and packs. McKay sang praises while Sheppard quickly located a G.D.O and sent the team’s personal code through the Gate to Atlantis. Nayleia did not understand why Sheppard pointed the small device at the activated Gate but soon after he signaled the others to go through the Gate. She noticed that Ronon had revived while she and Teyla were getting the weapons from the hiding place. He looked pale in the moonlight and the tension around his mouth let Nayleia know he was still suffering. She tried not to think about her own pain and discomfort, any pain was worth the chance to escape Harla’s clutches. As she followed the others through the Ring of the Ancestors without a backward glance at what she was leaving behind, her final thought was:

~I’m finally free! ~


**********

Nayleia emerged from the Gate into a strange world. Atlantis’ Gate Room was impressive, and even those who had taken up residence in the city for the past year were awed by the shear magnificence of the architecture. Nayleia took in the strange markings on the walls of room and the geometric patterns on the pillars. The swooshing sound of the Gate deactivating caused her to spin around rapidly, only to see the swirling opening disappear before her eyes. Nayleia understood that she was now cut off from Lahalan territory…there would be no pursuit. She truly was free.

“Welcome back Colonel Sheppard, when we didn’t hear from you at the scheduled time, we feared that your team had met with some difficulty.”

These words were uttered by a brown-haired woman, and Nayleia watched as she led a contingent of strange people towards where her companions crouched exhaustedly.

“Your fears were justified. We have just escaped the clutches of a mad woman with the assistance of our new friend, Nayleia.” Sheppard indicated where she stood taking in the awe inspiring chamber and all the strange happenings of the Gate Room.

Dr Weir looked over the raggedy appearance of the group and the prostrate Ronon Dex. They had clearly been through some ordeal that would need to be reported during a debrief session…later. She walked over to their new ‘friend’, as Colonel Sheppard put it, and introduced herself to the overwhelmed girl.

“I am Dr Weir, welcome to Atlantis. I thank you for whatever assistance you gave to Colonel Sheppard and his team, I hope you will accept the hospitality of our city.”

“I am Nayleia, and I thank you for the invitation.”

Dr Weir stared at Nayleia briefly, liking her direct gaze as she returned the interested stare.

“You will be taken to our medical facility for a brief examination,” Dr Weir indicated the medical staff hovering close by, “and then if all is as it should be, you’ll be taken to a guest apartment. There is no need to be afraid, everyone who has been off-world has to be examined by the doctor. Colonel Sheppard and his team will be accompanying you to the medical facility,” she finished with a smile of encouragement.

Nayleia watched the team being led away, with Ronon being wheeled out on a stretcher. She nodded to Dr Weir and followed them, interested in finding out what a medical facility was.


**********

Ronon awoke slowly, groggily. At first the surroundings were strange, until he remembered that he was now a resident of Atlantis. He was in the medical facility, in Dr Beckett’s domain. He remembered the ordeal he had been put through, he remembered his shameful behavior. Every muscle in his body felt sore, yet he knew that he once more had full control of his body. He wasn’t a pawn anymore. In all the years that he had been hunted mercilessly by the Wraith, he had never felt as powerless and out of control as he had that night in Lahal.

“Aha, I see someone has decided to rejoin us!” Ronon’s thoughts were interrupted by Dr Beckett’s bustling entry into his room.

“How do ye feel lad, that was quite a cocktail of drugs ye were given?” he asked, pulling out his stethoscope to listen to Ronon’s heart.

“I feel much better than I did when I first arrived. Once again it seems you have ensured my survival and recovery.” Ronon replied, trying to make light of his experience.

“Ye have that wee lassie to thank. She explained to me what had happened so I was able to find an antidote to the residual drugs still in your system. Without her input ye would still be flat on your back and in great pain.”

Ronon listened quietly, remembering the ‘wee lassie’ as Beckett called her. It hurt to think about her. He remembered well how callously he had treated her, and now the others knew what he had done to her in his madness.

“Dr Beckett, I wish to be left alone,” he said, ignoring the other man’s concerned expression.

“Ronon, ye had no control over what happened. The lass explained that she submitted to you, it’s what saved your life and the lives of your teammates. Think about that while ye rest. She bears ye no ill will, none of us do. What happened was unfortunate but then we will all have to take some measure of blame for it.”

Ronon heard what Dr Beckett was saying and yet it did not change the fact that he had violated a woman. It didn’t matter what she said, he knew what he had done.

“Is she alright?” he asked, needing to know.

“Yes lad. I examined and treated her ailments. You just try to get some more rest, and tomorrow after I discharge you, you’ll be able to see for yourself that she’s alright.” Dr Beckett said, leaving Ronon to rest.


**********

Nayleia contemplated the meager collection of personal items laid out on her bed. One knife, two bottles of the pigments needed to complete the painted facial designs of the Lahalans, a ragged dress and the single piece of jewelry her mother had given her. She picked up this last item, a chain with a jewel encrusted ring serving as a pendant. Her mother had given it to her just before she had died of a strange fever. The aquamarine and jade designs on the ring seemed somehow familiar. Her mother had said that it had been in her family for generations and it was very important that she keep it safe. Sighing, Nayleia laid aside the chain and its mysterious ring pendant.

The facial paint drew her attention next. It was strange, of all the things she could have chosen to include in the cache of weapons she had secured for the strangers, she had chosen the paint. Nayleia rose and went over to the large mirror hanging over the vanity. It was seven years since she had seen her own face. All Lahalans painted their faces, however most chose to paint only white designs over their bare skins. Nayleia’s father had started to paint her entire face black then paint on white designs, soon after her mother died. When he died, Harla continued the practice by ensuring that one of the village women came to Nayleia every morning, to freshen the designs before she emerged from her hut. Nayleia had never questioned the practice, or why it was that she alone had to have her entire face covered with pigment.

Nayleia stared at her face and realized that she had no idea what she looked like under all the pigment. Since her arrival in Atlantis she had continued the ritual of covering her face with pigment designs. Staring at her unknown face, Nayleia realized that Lahal had enslaved her in many more ways than she understood.

~What was so special about her face that it needed to always be covered? ~

Angry now, Nayleia returned to the bed and dashed the paint bottles into the disposal unit. Teyla had showed her how to use it, and she quickly pushed the cycle button so that the contents of the unit would be removed before she lost her nerve and fished the bottles out again. Nayleia listened with satisfaction as the unit destroyed the last tie she had to Lahal all that was left was for her to remove the paint from her face and finally see what Harla and the others wanted forever hidden.

The warm water sluicing over her face was refreshing and invigorating. Finally, grabbing a towel, Nayleia gently dried her face, and looked up to see herself for the first time in years.

Her mother’s face and her father’s eyes looked back at her. She couldn’t help staring; it had been so long since she had seen her mother’s beloved face. She understood now why both Harla and her father had wanted her face covered. Harla…because she hated Nayleia’s mother; and her father…because he had loved her mother. Nayleia felt the sting of tears as she contemplated her face. It hurt to think about her parents and all that she had endured because of their love. Taking a deep steadying breath, Nayleia quickly brushed at the tears that had formed. She was turning away from the mirror when a knock sounded at her door.

Colonel Sheppard was about to knock on the door a second time, just in case Nayleia had not heard the first time. His hand remained poised in mid air as the door opened before he could rap on it, and the most beautiful woman he had ever seen stood before him.

“Yes, is something the matter Colonel?” Nayleia asked, clearly puzzled by his dumbstruck appearance.

“Colonel?” she repeated.

“Um…I…well, there is a meeting carded for the next hour. I came to give you a short tour before conducting you to the meeting.” Sheppard finished in a rush, looking perplexed and clearly uncomfortable. “Oh and I have these clothes for you, we know you didn’t have time to take much with you when you left.”

“Thank you for your generosity, I think I’ll change into them now before you carry me on that tour.” Nayleia took the clothing and disappeared into the adjoining bathroom.

Sheppard could finally let out the breath he hadn’t realized that he’d been holding while she was in the room.

~Wow! ~ was all his frazzled brain could manage.
~Who would have thought that all that mud was hiding such a gorgeous woman! ~

When Nayleia emerged from the bathroom wearing a pair of trousers and a T-shirt, Sheppard was prepared for her appearance. He was able to ignore the way the pants hugged her hips, and simply shook his head ruefully as he led her from the room.

~I can’t wait to see everyone else’s reaction! ~ he thought.


TBC