When All the Stars Are Calling
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Again, blame Lady Foxfire. 'Mystery Ink' is from her story: 'You Can't Keep an Old Dog Down'. If you are going to steal ideas, steal from the best.
Reviews are always welcomed, flames never are.
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Chapter 7: If We Shadows Have Offended
To say Jareth and Sarah went all out to make the Nox and the High King and Queen of the Fae feel welcome was a gross understatement.
Goblins were not ones to be dolled up, or even cleaned up. Sarah had tried for decades. She did, however, manage to bring some order to the throne room. The goblins adored their Lady; she brought them treats from Above and interesting games to play. They were willing to do as she wished in the castle, but the city was theirs.
Garion walked down the front steps of the castle to greet the crystal coach that magically appeared. He was wearing a black leather vest, pants and a green poets shirt beneath his royal Bardic tabard. Garion opened the coach door and bowed deeply as King Oberon and Queen Titania exited gracefully.
"Greeting and well met nephew." Oberon murmured as he handed his Lady Queen from the coach.
Garion smiled and nodded before escorting them to the throne room.
The SG-1 team stood warily to the side of Jareth's throne. All of them were wearing their dress uniforms, unsure as to why such formality was required. They were still confused as to how they'd found their way to the castle and their bedrooms. Jack was getting tired of having impossible things happen and then having them explained away by saying 'It's magic.'
They watched silently as Garion did his duties as a Bard and Royal Herald, greeting the visiting royalty with pomp and circumstance.
"Oyez, oyez! All rise for their Majesties; High King Oberon and his Lady Queen Titania!" Garion finished with a sweeping bow toward the throne.
Both Daniel and Samantha, lost in moment, thought Shakespeare did not do the royal couple justice in his descriptive prose.
Unworldly, ethereal beings would be better. Tolkien also missed the mark when he depicted elves.
"Alright Goblin King," Oberon snarked as he entered. "I am here as you requested. If not for the love I bear you and Sarah... . . "
Standing by Jareth were Lya and Antaeus. Both were wearing soft pastel robes instead of the woodsy jumpsuits that SG-1 were familiar with.
"Lya?"
Oberon froze as Lya ran into his arms.
"How is this possible? We lost all hope when communication was lost to us," Titania said as she was enfolded into Antaeus' arms. "Blessed be, you are real!"
Garion stood by his mother as Oberon and Titania renewed old bonds of family and love.
Jareth placed a hand on Garion's shoulder. "The seers envisioned this scamp of a bard would right an ancient wrong. They spoke of: 'meeting one that spoke the ancient language and had renewed the ancient pathways'."
"Then we have much to be thankful for, thank you Master Bard Garion. Once again you have made us proud. You have again proven your talents are true and just," Oberon intoned formally. Noting the humans standing in the corner, he raised an eyebrow. "And who are these humans?" Oberon's mien darkened as his rested on Teal'c. "Why have you brought one of the Snake Lord's slaves before me!?" He spat in anger.
Daniel noted that they'd been called 'humans', and not Tau'ri, as he stepped forward. He bowed . "Your Majesty, I am Dr. Daniel Jackson, the language expert of Stargate Command. This is Colonel Jack O'Neill who is the leader of our team. Major Samatha Carter, who is our scientific expert and this is Teal'c. He has forsaken his Snake Lord and wishes to free his people from their rule."
Oberon sniffed haughtily at the presumption of this mere human speaking to him without leave. He turned to Garion who rolled his eyes, nodded and explained. "It is as Dr. Jackson said. The Jaffa is a freedom fighter and has sworn a brotherhood pact with the Colonel to free his people from the Snake Lords."
"Indeed." Teal'c whispered with a deep bow.
0o0o0o0o
"Colonel? How long do you think we've been here?" Sam asked several days later.
Jack shrugged as he lounged on the balcony over-looking the Labyrinth. "Almost a month, I would say."
"Have you managed to get any reports back to Stargate?"
Jack sat up. "Not really. I did try when we first got here but …"
"When do you think we'll return?"
"When the Nox are ready I reckon, and not a minute
before."
Sam sighed. She, without realizing it, found the fatal flaw of the Underground: Time had no meaning here. There was no real substance to the place. Magic took care of everything, but in doing so, took away original thought.
Garion stepped out of the shadows and sighed. "You want to go home, right?"
"Yes but we have our orders, we can't as long as the Nox are here. About the only one happy here is Danny. Your library is like a treasure trove," Jack growled.
"You know time has no meaning here. You can be returned to the moment you left," Garion told them. "I would imagine someone of Sam's mind set would find this place boring. There is no original thought, no creativity."
Jack and Sam nodded.
"Without imagination, there can be no magic and without magic there is no imagination," Garion quoted, then he sighed. "I'll see what I can do." As he turned to leave, he paused. He looked up at the sky and paled. "Oh, not now!"
Jack and Sam stood looking around for trouble. "What's wrong" Sam asked.
"There's been a wish away. They always have rotten timing. His Majesty isn't going to be in the best of moods," Garion sighed, looking at both of them seriously. "You cannot interfere. It's his game, his rules. You play by them or face the consequences. And his Majesty is apt to change the rules if it suits him."
"But…" Sam sputtered. "It isn't fair, a child..."
"No, it isn't, but that's how it is here," Garion said, quietly. He closed his eyes as he seemed to be listening. "Damn. She wished herself away."
"What will happen now?" Jack asked.
"That's for His Majesty to decide."
Sam frowned. "I noticed you don't mention his name here."
"That's because names have power and to say His name is to call His attention to you," Garion said sadly, his eyes still closed.
"She's going to be a goblin, been too badly damaged for anything else. It will be better to have no memory of her past life," Garion whispered, grief stricken. "If I'm reading the magic right, His Majesty will make her abuser run the Labyrinth in her place."
Jack came over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "How badly damaged?"
Sam couldn't but help to ask," How do you know all this?"
Garion shook his head, answering both: "You really don't want to know."
He looked up at the sky as it darkened. "Some are looking for me to take over when he wants to step down. I am not his son by birth, only by adoption. I have my own destiny to live. Why would I want His throne and all the grief and pain it brings with it?"
"Princy! Princy!" called a goblin. "You are wanted. Kingy is in a baaad mood. Another wishes away comes."
"I have to go."
0o0o0o0
General Hammond contacted the Joint Chiefs with the information that Garion Williams gave him. The phone conference and been quickly canceled and a meeting was set for the following day.
The next day, he received a strange man in his office.
"Benjamin Abbott, General Hammond," said a tall blonde wearing a three piece suit as he shook the general's hand. "I was sent by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. You were given a business card with the contact information for M.C.I.A., or as we affectionately call ourselves 'Mystery Ink' from a Mr. Garion Williams?"
"I was Mr. Abbott, have a seat," Gen. Hammond said. "Mr. Williams' background checks when we approached him to work for us were clear. We were not happy to hear he had been home schooled, but his PSATs and IQ tests placed him in a very high bracket. And Dr. Jackson was very adamant about working with the young man. So how do you fit into this?"
"We're a very secret branch of the government, General only a few of the Joint Chiefs-and the President, of course-know of us. We only reveal ourselves if national security is threatened, and even then only discreetly."
"I see, and where does Mr. Williams play into this?"
"Tell me General do you believe in magic?"
"Mr. Abbott, what I believe in is none of your damn business! However, I did witness magic before Mr. Williams took my best team Underground."
Benjamin Abbott's eyes widened. "Underground? Not Underhill?"
"That's right," Gen. Hammond snapped coldly.
Over the next hour, Benjamin explained more fully about magic and the reality of it. He revealed that earth hosts several small pocket dimensions that few humans know about. He informed Gen. Hammond of this because of the nature of his command. What it all boiled down to was the simple fact that Garion Williams had diplomatic immunity, and could bend the laws of secrecy with impunity.
"Just why is this young man so special?"
"Garion Williams is the most powerful 'human' on this planet. He was born Harry James Potter, and is heir to several powerful magical bloodlines. He is on the same level as Merlin with regards to magic and has political clout equivalent of the Queen of England. Our only saving grace is he has chosen to remain neutral in all international/inter-dimensional affairs. The fact he went through Tuatha Enterprises to thwart Kinsey is just one example that he refuses the limelight."
"Are my men in any danger from Mr. Williams?"
"Hardly. He has a strong moral compass. If anything your men are more of a danger to him. He has strong empathic abilities in that he senses their emotions and will react to them. Has he shown anything of this?"
Gen. Hammond thought back and remembered. "After we lost a well liked team, he spent almost 10 hours in the mess hall performing, without a break. He used his music to help us deal with our loss."
"How did you and your men feel afterward?" Abbott asked.
"Like we could weather anything thrown at us with the same drive and determination that made us enlist in the first place." Came the answer.
"There you go. Mr. Williams will always do what he thinks is right no matter the cost to himself. He probably won't stay under your command much longer. He cannot be tied up too long in one place."
"I understand but we do need a secondary language expert here. They hardly grow on trees."
"Well, let me see what I can do for you general. Maybe Mystery Ink can help you."
o0o0o0o0o
In the days that followed, SG-1 sat in on the conferences between the Fae and the Nox. It boggled the humans that the Nox and the Fae were so long lived. Neither could, or would, explain why, and both were very adamant that they were NOT willing to be experimented on!
Garion acted as a mediator for the conferences. His neutrality made sure the talks went smoothly and all agreements were equitable. For all of his normal hyperactivity, he was well trained and handled the conferences with adept diplomacy.
SG-1 wanted more information on everything they could. Granted, to the Nox the Tau'ri were still too 'young and violent' for the knowledge, as they had made clear many times before. To Oberon and Jareth, they were just too violent, period.
Of course, the Underground had been dealing with humans and their idiocy since the Nox and the Asgard left Earth. Nothing that had happened since had really changed their minds on that point of view.
Garion pointed out that there were more sentient species still living on Earth than SG-1 knew about. He mentioned that the fairy tales and myths that Maj. Carter so callously dismissed were often based on facts, and if they wished he could show them the reality.
He went on to say, "Merfolk, centaurs, giants, were-wolves, vampires and wizards do exist on earth in very carefully hidden enclaves that keep those who don't share the knowledge, or those with intent to harm, away. They must be allowed to live their lives as they see fit."
It was pointed out that men, like Senator Kinsey, would use that information in personal, and very destructive ways.
Garion also mentioned that there was an International Confederation of Wizards that serves the magical realm on earth, much like the United Nations serves the mundane world.
Oberon and Jareth scoffed blatantly at this. Garion went on to explain that the wizards living on earth have grown arrogant and complacent in their belief that they are superior to any other sentient beings living here.
"Getting back to the issues at hand," Oberon said with a roll of his eyes, "We will supply, through Garion, some information but not all that you seek. You are still not ready for it." He held up a hand to forestall any objection. "It will be subject to change as you mature and prove yourselves."
"We still need a means to keep in communication," Antaeus said. "I don't think we Nox could bear the thought of losing you, now that we have found you again."
"Agreed," Lya said. "With the gates being found and used by the Tau'ri, we may have to call on them to help keep the lines of communication open. In exchange for some of the knowledge they wish to have."
It wasn't an ideal solution but it was doable.
"I will not be able to stay at the Stargate Command much longer," Garion said. "I have other duties to perform. Although it would be my honor to travel back and forth between worlds to deliver messages, there is still much else I must do. The wizards have made a putrid mess of magic and I'm only a single, simple Bard. I do have an apprentice that I am grooming, alas, he is detained-doing community service. He should be free soon, though."
Jack started to say something sarcastic, but was stopped by Daniel.
Talks went on for a few more hours. Jack swung between amused and frustrated mutterings. He and Samatha figured they got a taste of what the council of Elrond must've been like. Jack kept waiting for a hobbit to pop in, or the Ring of Doom to be presented.
Garion only intervened as necessary, for the most part. He chuckled softly at some of the feelings and thoughts he was picking up. He didn't tell Jack that the Fae have superior hearing.
The conferences ended. Jack would take the agreement to Stargate Command and they would decide whether to help keep the communication lines between the Nox and the Fae open.
The Nox agreed to allow some of the Tau'ri on their home-world to study, but still maintained the right to approve or deny which people were sent. They were not about to allow any technology to leave their world if the Tau'ri weren't judged 'mature' enough to handle it. The Fae would allow some humans into their dimension, but like the Nox, they reserved the right to choose who entered.
Garion was designated as the go-to person if there was a problem. His neutrality was to remain firm. If there was even a hint of compromising that neutrality, the Goblin Kingdom would act. A shudder ran through both Oberon and Titania as Garion smirked.
Jareth was a law unto himself. To cross him was to invite something that made death a blessing. Just ask Senator Kinsey, who was currently having problems with his re-election campaign, not to mention the lingering stench of the bog that clung to him.
Much to Oberon's consternation, and Titania's amusement, Garion ended the conference with a smirk and:
"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:. . .
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,. . .*"
0o0o0o0
Using another crystal Garion brought the team, and the Nox, back to Cheyenne Mountain. They arrived in full view of the Stargate, Garion calling out: "Luuccy! We're home!" in a very bad latino accent.
The din of alarms echoed in the chamber as marines, armed and ready, boiled out of the doors at either side of the gate ready for war.
"Stand down!" shouted General Hammond's voice over the intercom.
Garion raised his hands, ready to protect those under his charge, but didn't have to as the security guards lowered their guns.
"I have returned your team and the Nox in one piece, as agreed, General," Garion said in a clear voice.
From the command center high above them, Gen. Hammond asked, "Did you complete your mission? You were only gone a full day."
Daniel and Samatha exchanged a glance before Daniel asked, "A day General? We were gone almost a month by my reckoning."
Garion chuckled as he glanced to Lya, "Time flows differently Underground. I chose a day later so that we wouldn't meet ourselves coming and going."
She smiled back at him and said, "Very wise, Master Bard Garion. However it is time we returned home."
Lya and Antaeus quickly exchanged their fare-thee-wells with the team and with Garion. The Stargate was activated and the Nox went home.
0o0o0o0
Garion was sitting in his favorite spot, over-looking the stage below. He had been home for a month now. Gen. Hammond and Daniel hadn't been too happy to see him go. Mystery Ink was true to their word and supplied a two person team of linguist to replace him at Cheyenne Mountain.
He wasn't really needed there anymore. He'd done what the seers needed. Unfortunately, his father found out about his copying the ancient Fae tome. Thankfully he didn't get into too much trouble. It had been for a good cause, and the tome hadn't been damaged in its handling.
Magic Ink had been gracious in not bothering Garion too much about returning to the Wizarding World. They were just relieved that Garion wanted to return to what he did best, an actor working in summer stock theatre. At least until he was needed again.
Garion knew he needed to go back to London before too long. Severus Snape's community service was ending soon and he needed to make sure that went smoothly. Knowing the Wizarding World that was unlikely. They loved to complicate the simple and had issues with yielding control.
Fini, for now
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For the guests that ask questions but don't leave a way to answer them, we are afraid your questions will remain unanswered. No contact info, no answers.
Also, we are working on what happens with Severus but first we must finish "Quoth the Raven." Please be patient.
Until next time. -GF and the Frau
*Midsummer's Night Dream Act 5, scene 2