Nayleia's Heritage

***REVELATIONS***


“What?”

Nayleia was not sure who actually voiced the word but all the faces, including Ronon’s, looked shocked by her revelation.

“What do you mean by ‘she came through the Ring of the Ancestors’?” Teyla finally asked.

Nayleia took a deep breath before answering.

“When she was dying, she told me a lot of things that she had always been secretive about. I remember her teaching me to read as a child, and saying to me I shouldn’t let anyone in the village know. She used to take me with her to her special cave, and make her drawings in the deepest part of the cave using the light of glowing torches to see by. One day when I was about ten, I asked her what the drawings meant.”

Nayleia paused, and everyone could see she was remembering that day years ago.

“I have never seen my mother scared. She always seemed to be the bravest, strongest woman I know. That day…back then I thought she was angry at me for asking such a question. Now…now, as I think back, I realize she was scared. Mother was not Lahalan, she said as much to me just before she died, when she was directing me to return to the cave to find out about my heritage.” Nayleia paused once more to gather her thoughts.

“Dr McKay,” Nayleia turned towards the surprised man, “you believe there is something of power located in the direction of my mother’s cave. It’s so strange, but it took this conversation to trigger the memory. I…I saw something in that cave. I saw something that makes me believe that you are correct. I---”

“What?”

“What do you mean?”

“---saw something?”

Everyone seemed to be speaking at the same time, and Nayleia was at a loss about who to respond to. Luckily Teyla’s voice of reason rose over the din to restore some order.

“I think we should all be quiet and listen to what Nayleia has to say. I’m sure by the time she is finished all our questions would have been answered.” Teyla followed up her pronouncement with a look at each abashed face; she then nodded to Nayleia to continue her story.

Nayleia took another deep breath then plunged ahead.

“When I first arrived in Atlantis, I thought certain aspects of the architecture looked familiar but I said nothing since I couldn’t understand why it would be familiar. Today I found out why, and this conversation has confirmed my intuition. The city looks familiar because some of my mother’s drawings were of a very similar place. So similar, that it could be this very city.”

“What!”

“Rodney, please!” Teyla’s stern admonishment stopped the questions that were about to erupt from the excited scientist’s mouth.

“I also saw something in the data banks that shocked me,” Nayleia said, as she continued shyly. “I saw an aerial view of the city…I saw this!” Nayleia then reached beneath her clothing to draw out the chain and ring pendant she had inherited from her mother.

Four pairs of eyes focused on the ornate device. The top of the ring was shaped like a filigree snowflake with several precious gems sparkling at strategic points and aquamarine and jade designs inlaid in it. Every one of them had over-flown Atlantis and so all of them made the connection. Nayleia was correct, the ring dangling from her chain depicted Atlantis, or a sister city like the one called ‘the Tower’.

“But what about…and I thought…huh…how could?” everyone turned to Rodney, waiting for the half babbled incoherent questions to resolve into a single coherent one. That didn’t happen, instead, upon realizing that he was babbling and gibbering like an idiot, Rodney closed his mouth with a resounding slap of his lips.

“Congratulations Nayleia, you truly are special. You’ve succeeded in doing what none of us ever could,” Sheppard said, with a bark of laughter at Rodney’s pained expression.

“What did I do?” Nayleia asked innocently.

“You got McKay to shut up!” Ronon supplied, with a rumble of his own laughter, which had everyone joining in.

“Well now that you’ve all had a good laugh at my expense, you can finally admit that I am always right. I said there was a power source. Voila! We now have concrete evidence of the presence of some kind of power source brought to Lahal by Nayleia’s mother.”

“Whoa! A ring shaped like Atlantis and a mysterious woman does not automatically equal a Z.P.M. However, as much as I hate to say it, Rodney’s right. We have to return to Lahal,” Colonel Sheppard said. “Weir will have to be informed of this development. We need to know what is in that cave!”


**********

Nayleia and Ronon walked slowly back to her quarters. She had been surprised yet pleased when he offered to accompany her. They walked along the corridor in companionable silence, neither speaking, yet both aware of the other’s presence.

“There is something I want to show you,” Ronon said, finally breaking the silence as he propelled Nayleia along a corridor she had not traversed before.

They came to a set of outer doors, and Ronon took Nayleia onto one of Atlantis’ many balconies. This one faced the rising moon which was much larger than Earth’s, and hung suspended in the night sky. The pink and gold of the reflected light of the system’s sun made the view spectacular.

Nayleia’s shining face looked on in amazement at the panoramic view afforded by their vantage point.

“It’s beautiful!” she cried, in awed appreciation.

“Yes it is, but it pales when compared to you.”

Nayleia spun around slowly when she heard his softly uttered words. He was standing a little way behind her, staring at her with undisguised admiration and more than a little desire. Nayleia knew she was unwise in the ways of men and women, her only experiences being the result of Harla’s sick machinations. Yet despite her deficiency, she knew that whatever her response to Ronon’s pronouncement, it would mark a pivotal point in her life. For the first time in her life she would truly be in control of her choices.

“Thank you, Ronon. It’s strange to be complimented after years of being told how ugly I was,” Nayleia finally responded shyly, basking in the warmth of his praise.

“Harla is the one who is ugly and despicable,” Ronon said firmly.

The two continued to enjoy the view a while longer before heading back to Atlantis’ living quarters. As they neared Nayleia’s door, her footsteps slowed as she mentally wrestled with her desire to continue to explore the possibilities of a relationship with Ronon and her natural shyness. In the end her shyness won, and as soon as they arrived at her door, she told Ronon goodnight and practically ran inside, shutting the door firmly behind her.

Ronon was stunned, but not completely surprised by Nayleia’s rapid disappearance into her room. He was in a quandary about his next step and stood outside Nayleia’s door with his hands braced on the door frame contemplating the closed door. Suddenly the door opened and as Ronon was about to straighten up, he found his face captured between Nayleia’s hands as she tip toed to kiss him.

It was a quick kiss, yet laden with the promise of future passion. Ronon reveled in the feel of Nayleia’s soft lips as she gently pressed them to his. He longed to hold onto her to prolong the contact and deepen the kiss. He longed to sear her with his passionate response to the luscious curves pressed against his hungry body. Yet he did not. He simply stood still and allowed his sharply honed senses to intensify the sensuality of that brief contact. Sight, smell, sound, taste, and feel.

Her full pink lips as they neared his, and her shyly closed eyes, filled his sight. The smell of the floral fragrance she favored and the freshness of the ocean spray of their recent visit to the outer balcony. The soft sighing sound she made when her lips settled on his, and her sharply in-drawn breath, when she felt his body’s response to her nearness, filled his ears. The slight saltiness of the ocean spray on her lips was the best nectar he’d tasted. The feel of the soft, silkiness of her lips and the full breasts she pressed to his chest, completed the experience for Ronon.

Too soon it seemed, the contact was over, and Nayleia was retreating back behind her door. Ronon looked at the once more closed door and grinned. Suddenly life was so much brighter and promising.


**********


Nayleia sat listening to the conversation as it flowed from one end of the Conference Room table to the other. Dr Weir had contacted her early that morning and requested her presence at the meeting, and she had eagerly complied. She had already repeated the information she had supplied to Colonel Sheppard, Dr McKay, Teyla and of course, Ronon during their dinner the evening before. Dr Weir had been particularly intrigued by the possibility of finding clues to the location of another Ancient city and thus additional stores of Drones and Z.P.Ms. The talk around the table now centered on planning a second visit to Lahal. Nayleia paid closer attention as Colonel Sheppard rose to present his plan.

“The best way to avoid detection by Lahal sentries is to plan a night incursion. On our last visit the Lahalans didn’t seem to be much for keeping watch at night, so it’s our best bet. According to Nayleia, her mother’s cave is on the far side of Lahalan territory, so we’ll have to skirt the settlement to get to it. I’d like to draw your attention to a map of the territory.”

A crystalline screen rose from the conference table and a three dimensional image of Lahal territory was projected onto it.

“This was downloaded from the Ancient database. It seems that they did a brief survey of the planet when they were looking for additional metal ores to build their interstellar space ships. As you can see, the Lahal settlement is naturally defensible due to the river flanking it on one side and the rocky cliffs on the other. It’s not an option to take a Jumper to the cave because the terrain makes landing impossible, also the cliffs would transmit the sound of the Jumper back to the settlement. The only way to get to that cave is to trek directly through the settlement.” Sheppard finished and sat down to wait for comments.

“Due to the reception you received last time, I’m sending two teams on this mission.” Dr Weir had resumed talking. “Colonel Sheppard, you will lead your team to the cave and recover either the power source or any artifacts that could lead to the location of an Ancient outpost. Major Lorne, your orders are to protect the Gate and cover Colonel Sheppard’s retreat back through Lahal.”

“Okay teams, it’ll be night in Lahal in ten hours. I suggest you get some rest and relaxation before our departure.”

Sheppard’s words served as a signal that the briefing was over so everyone began to file out on their way to follow his advice. Nayleia rose also and was heading towards the door when she heard Dr Weir call her name.

“Nayleia,” Dr Weir came to stand in front of Nayleia’s pathway to the door, “I didn’t want to pressure you by asking in front of the others, but I hope you would consent to lead Colonel Sheppard’s team to your mother’s cave. I know you didn’t want to return to Lahal, but you’re the only one who knows the exact location of the cave. I don’t think it would be wise to have t---”

“It’s okay Dr Weir,” Nayleia said, interrupting the string of persuasive statements that Dr Weir was trying to release, “I realized last night that I had to return to Lahal, both to find out about my heritage and to help you find that power source. I don’t want to go back, but I know I have to.”

“Thank you Nayleia, that’s very brave of you. I want to assure you that Harla won’t get a chance to harm you again,” Dr Weir said, taking Nayleia’s hands in hers.

Nayleia nodded and thankfully left the room. Outside she looked around briefly, hoping that Ronon or one of the others would have waited for her. She didn’t feel like being alone right then. Unfortunately the corridor was deserted.

~Back to Lahal,~ Nayleia thought with a sad sigh as she turned to make her way back to her room.

It seemed so frustrating to have finally escaped Harla, only to find herself committed to returning to Lahal and quite possibly Harla’s clutches. Dr Weir had tried to reassure that Harla would not get a chance to recapture her and the team, but Nayleia knew the luck of the wicked. They always seemed to get their way!

Nayleia’s mind continued to work as her steps took her towards her room. She reflected on her life in Lahal, especially after her mother and then her father had died. It seemed as if she was always doing what other people wanted her to do. The return to Lahal was another instance of her allowing others to influence her actions. True, she didn’t have to go with the team, but everyone knew that without her guidance the opportunities for recapture increased tenfold. She had no choice, she had to go. And she had to go fully aware that her free will could once more be taken away from her by Harla and her minions.

~When will I ever be able to make my own decisions…finally be a woman?~ she thought angrily.

Almost by their own volition, Nayleia’s legs changed direction and headed instead towards the gym. She was not sure if Ronon would be there since the team had been practically ordered to rest, but somehow she felt that working out would be Ronon’s way of relaxing. He was the only person in Atlantis who she thought would understand her mood and feelings at that moment.

TBC