hathor_girl | Fic, Choices, Sam/Jolinar/Martouf/Lantash, PG-13, 21/37

Chapter 21: Meeting the Goddess

Summary: Martouf and Lantash go to talk to the planet's 'goddess' to ask for her help in healing Sam/Jolinar and Jacob/Selmak.

Martouf POV

The priestesses have agreed to take me to their goddess, however, they believe we should bring Samantha/Jolinar and Jacob/Selmak. No one but us are allowed to come. I am only allowed with them, because Samantha and Jolinar are my mates.

Both Samantha/Jolinar and Jacob/Selmak have been sedated before the journey, since it is fairly long, and the road uneven. It is not possible to carry them completely stable, and the journey may have caused them pain, due to their injuries.

Rohk and Teal'c will stay in Nadira's house, and look after O'Neill and Daniel. Lantash and I feel reasonably sure they are in no danger from any attacks, though we cannot know what will happen if the 'goddess' can tell I am host to a symbiote - of the same species as the Goa'uld. What if she decides we must all be killed?

I push these paranoid thoughts aside. Lantash comforts me, though I know he shares my worry.

Soon we will know. We are approaching the palace where the goddess lives.

We follow the priestesses into the large, richly decorated throne room. Lantash and I have no doubt that this is - or was - the palace of a Goa'uld. We have noticed the familiar decorations, and in some places golden walls with symbols. However, something is different. It's as if the place is...lighter and more friendly. There are flowers and other plants, as well as delicate figurines and light window coverings everywhere.

They say it is a goddess of life that lives here, and this place has certainly been transformed to fit that image better.

Lantash comments on something else... the servants are better clothed, and better fed, than what would be normal in a Goa'uld palace. They look happier, as if they actually like working here.

Odd... but a good sign.

We hope. Because what if she can sense symbiotes, and decides to kill us all, instead of help? Am I taking my beloved to her death, instead of life, as I hope?

As we approach the throne, and the young woman sitting there, my heart beats hard. I cannot control my fear completely, and Lantash has trouble as well. She is both young and beautiful, with long dark hair and the almost bronze-coloured skin the people have on this world. She is dressed in a dress that looks very good on her, but it is still tasteful, too tasteful for most Goa'uld.

One more step, and nagging doubt turns to certainty. We feel the naquadah signature, and looking up, it is obvious the 'goddess' does the same. She has a symbiote, though the host is almost certainly a local woman. The priestesses are oblivious to it all, of course, and merely motions those carrying Samantha and Jolinar, and Jacob and Selmak, to stand to the side.

The head priestess bows deeply to the woman on the throne.

"My goddess Ria, we approach you with a plea for help."

Ria bows her head gracefully. "I see they are gravely wounded. Tell me, who are these people? They are not of this world, are they?"

Lantash and I notice she does not use the flanged voice a Goa'uld normally would. Is this part of a deception - or is this the host? Could this Ria truly be a Tok'ra?

"They are not. They are our visitors. They arrived in a flying vessel, which crashed on your world."

Ria frowned. "I had not heard of this. When did this happen? Where?"

"A few days ago, close to the ocean near the village of Joh'lana."

"I see." She turns to a man standing nearby - probably a trusted advisor, though I sense no symbiote in him. "Go with one of the priestesses, and have her show you the vessel. Have it examined and return quickly with information."

"Yes, Ria."

No title? Why would she not demand that? Even if he should be her lover, as a Goa'uld she would insist on that.

"Who is the young man with brown hair and pale eyes?"

"He is one of the guests. He is here since the injured female is his mate."

"I see. Come here, young man." Very uneasy, I approach her, and at Lantash suggestion, I fall to my knees, showing my respect. She looks at me for a moment, then go to me, touching my neck, studying it. "You do not need to kneel, you one."

"Thank you..." How do I address her? 'My Lord' seems wrong, since she doesn't appear to be a traditional Goa'uld. 'My queen'` 'My goddess'? Neither seems correct. Lantash suggests 'My lady', and I agree. "Thank you, my Lady."

She nods. "What is your name? From where do you come?"

"My name is Martouf, and I come from...far away. I travelled here on a teltac, with my friends, fleeing from the Goa'uld Heru'ur. Please... I am told you have healing powers. Would you consider helping my mate and her father?"

Ria is quiet for some time, then smiles. "Yes, young Martouf. I do have some healing abilities, and I will see what I can do for your mate and her father. Later, I wish to speak with you alone, but for now I need privacy to examine and heal your loved ones."

Neither Lantash nor I feel completely comfortable leaving Samantha, Jolinar, Jacob, and Selmak alone with her, but we do not have a choice. Ria appears friendly enough, and we are starting to believe she is Tok'ra. She did check for entry wounds on my neck, after all.

I bow to her. "Of course, my lady Ria. I will wait, patiently, hoping they can be healed."

It has been several hours, and we have still not heard anything. We have been told to wait in a small room. It is comfortable enough, and we have been served food and drink, which we would otherwise have enjoyed, as it is delicious. However, right now our thoughts are only on Samantha/Jolinar and Jacob/Selmak.

What is this Ria doing to them? Why is it taking so long?

~If Ria is indeed a Tok'ra, she most likely does not have a sarcophagus. She may merely have a healing device, and be using that.~

~In that case we should assist, as she will grow tired and together we can work longer.~

~Very true, but I do not believe she is ready to trust us yet.~

I sigh, and sit down, absentmindedly eating a little more of the food on our plate. We have had very little, and should be hungry, but it is hard to concentrate on. I drink some of the fruitwine, and it calms me a little.

Finally, almost a full hour later, we are told Ria is expecting us. We are taken to a personal chamber this time, not the throne room. Ria tells everyone else to leave us, and when we are alone, she turns to us. I notice she is wearing a kara'kesh now - something she was not before.

"You do not trust us?" I ask her.

"I do not know you. I suspect you are trustworthy, but that remains to be seen."

I nod. "Very well. I will answer your questions - if I can, and it does not bring danger to my people. First, however, I wish to know how my mates and their father and Selmak fares."

"No more diversions. I like that." Ria smiles a little, then sighs. "As you already know, their injuries were severe, since the symbiotes were gravely wounded in both cases. Before I say anything else, let me assure you that all will live. All four of them."

I let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you. From both Lantash and I."

She nods. "My true name is Ti'vala, but I believe my soulmate, Ria, should speak now."

She bows her head and when she looks up a moment later, her expression has changed, though she still looks kind. Not that we doubt she is Tok'ra anymore. "Greetings, I am Ria."