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Title: "Coming Home pt 8"
Author: elfcat255
pairing: Sam/Janet and Daniel(he plays a key role now folks)
rated: PG-13(this will be the rating from here on out unless it goes up)
spoilers: Nope
Warnings:..not really
Summary:picks up were I stopped in part 7
AN: Okay..here it is..and it's really lonnnnng...and it's all Daniel...but I had to set up his part of the story and introduce some key players in the tale...and if I rambled..forgive me..I wrote this inbtween fevered naps...so feel free to point out mistakes if you see them...hope you like it...*snuggles down into my blanket and drinks more hot tea*
Daniel watched as Janet stroked Sam’s face, softly murmuring reassurances to her sleeping lover. He truly wished he could tell the doctor what happened to Sam after she left them but he could not; that was something his friend would have to do.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
Janet looked up at the soft comment, seeing the pained look on Daniel’s face she replied, “Oh Daniel…there’s nothing for you to be sorry for; from what she said there was nothing you could do to stop them from separating the four of you.”
“It’s just…” he began but she stopped him with a raised hand.
“No more apologizing for something you had no control over Daniel. Now... tell me more of your story; both you and she were right, talking about what occurred will be good for you,” the doctor said to him.
“There really isn’t much to tell Janet,” he sighed.
“Daniel stop stalling and start talking, neither of us is going anywhere soon,” she said gesturing at Sam’s long form which had them both pinned to the couch, “unless you want to risk moving and wake her up.”
Daniel glanced down at the feet in his lap, he could move if he wanted but knew Sam needed to sleep. Taking a deep breath, he began to tell Janet his tale.
He watched as Sam collapsed from the blow to her back. The two guards escorting her picked his friend up by the arms and carried her away from them.
He cried out, “Sam!” Nevertheless, she did not answer his call only more blows from a club and several well-placed kicks did though.
“Enough!” yelled Kern. “They need to be able to work!”
The beating stopped and the three remaining team members lay on the ground until pulled up by several of the guards. Daniel saw that Jack bled from a large cut over his eye and Teal’c favored his ribs; he too was suffering from the blows as he used the sleeve of his jacket to wipe the blood from a cut on his cheek.
Kern eyed the three men, “I suggest you not try anything like that again or else next time I will let them continue until you can’t move,“ he said coldly and then motioned to the guards to take them away.
Daniel watched as Jack and Teal’c were led away disappearing into a tunnel off to the left of the ramp way. A prod to the back made him stumble forward as the two men began pushing him towards a tunnel further away from the ramp. One man moved to walk before him while the other followed behind as they entered the passageway. The first few feet were shrouded in darkness but soon changed as small lamps appeared along the walls, their flickering light illuminating the wide corridor.
As they traveled along the passageway Daniel noticed open doorways spaced at odd intervals, passing these doors he caught the barest glimpse of the rooms behind them, the man behind prodding him forward whenever he tried to linger. Several twists and turns later they walked down a stairway; his empty stomach rumbled loudly as his nose caught the odors of cooking food. Exiting the stairwell they entered into an open space filled with many long tables and a huge fireplace.
The guards led him past these and through a doorway into the large kitchen area where several women and small boys were busy preparing food. There were two large fireplaces and an oven along one wall while hanging from racks along the ceiling were all sorts of cooking utensils. A tiny elderly woman saw the men enter and walked to meet them.
“Here now…what’s this?” she asked nearing them.
“The master sends you more help Meg,” replied one of the guards.
The woman eyed Daniel, she walked around, poking him, “Show me your hands,” she said to him.
Daniel held out his chained arms, turning his hands palm up; she grasped a hold of them and felt, “Never worked a hard day in his life this one,” she said eyeing one of the guards.
“Claims to be a scholar Meg,” the man told her.
Meg stood in front of Daniel, her head barely reaching his chin; she looked up at him, “Well are ya?”
Daniel just nodded; “What’s a matter boy, can’t ya speak?”
Daniel glanced at the two guards and Meg laughed, “Don’t worry boy…yer in my kitchen now, they can’t hurt ya,” she told him.
“Yes I can speak and I am a scholar of sorts,” he replied.
“Good then…” she pointed at his manacle bound wrists, “Take those off, he’s of no use ta me with his hands chained,” she told one of the guards.
The man unlocked the manacles from Daniel’s wrists removing them but left the ones on his ankles. Saying their farewells to Meg, they left him in her care.
“Follow me boy,” she said motioning to him.
Daniel shuffled behind her as she led him over to a small table along one wall and sat when she told him; leaving him alone for a moment, she soon returned carrying a bowl and a loaf of bread.
“I ’m guessing yer hungry, the master never feeds tha new ones,” she placed the food on the table before him, “well eat up…no one goes hungry in my kitchen.”
Daniel tasted the paste like substance in the bowl and then began spooning it into his mouth, eating hungrily; pausing only long enough to break off a piece of the bread and eat that as well.
“Slow down boy, make yerself sick ya will eating that fast,” she told him, thumping him on the back when he almost choked on a bite of bread.
She placed a cup beside his hand and he drank down the water it held, “My name is Daniel,” he told her after swallowing the drink.
“A fine name it is, but ya won’t hear it spoken past these walls; slave’s names are not used nor are they allowed to talk out of turn; but in my kitchen ya can speak,” she told him.
“But they called you by name,” he said in between bites of porridge.
“I earned my freedom a long time ago Daniel; you might one day too,” remarked Meg as she called out directions to one of the young boys turning a carcass on a spit, “now eat yer food and then I’ll show ya what yer tasks will be.”
Daniel ate slowly now as he watched Meg walk around the kitchen, showing her helpers what to do or complimenting them when they succeeded at one of her tasks. She seemed like a kind woman, he watched as she smacked one of the spit boys with a wooden spoon, kind but firm he thought. Maybe she could help him find out where the other members of SG-1 were. Daniel watched for a few more moments and then continued eating his food.
Meg soon returned, carrying another bowl, a bundle of cloth and a small box; she placed them on the table in front of Daniel, “It gets mighty warm in here when all the fires are going, here is ya a shirt to wear and some fresh water ta clean the blood from yer face,” she told him. “Since ya claim ta be a scholar I’m guessing ya can read and write,” Daniel nodded. “Good then, ya can help me with tha tally for tha supply wagons; these old hands can hold a knife better than a quill these days.”
Daniel stood up, taking his jacket off; he pulled on the light homespun shirt; wetting a rag found on the table he took his glasses off and washed his face; once finished he then picked up the box, opening it he found several sheets of paper, a quill and a small container filled with ink he assumed. Wrapping the medical bag up in his jacket, he placed it on the high shelf above the table.
Meg motioned for him to follow her once more and he shuffled after her, the chains on his ankles making clinking noises on the stone floor as he moved. They walked down a corridor, passing several doorways. She pointed out the storerooms for dried foods and a cold room for meat; the tiny woman stopped at one door, showing him the room where he would sleep, which contained several low cots.
“Ya will be sharing a room with tha young boys, I’ll not have ya tempting me girls,” she said to him with a grin and then began walking again.
Daniel smiled as he walked behind her, she was quite the character, this old woman he thought. They soon reached an open cavern where Daniel discovered the caravan wagons they followed behind during the journey being unloaded. Meg walked over to a raised platform that held two stools and podium; she climbed up on a stool and motioned for Daniel to join her. He sat on the other stool with the small box resting on his lap.
“Now boy…let me see yer letters,” she asked.
Daniel opened the box, took out a sheet of the paper, and the quill. He set the bottle of ink on the podium, dipping the quill in he took a guess and wrote the English alphabet across the top of the sheet.
Meg glanced at the letters, “Will do boy…will do. Now when I tell ya what to write ya do it, keeping track of how many of what there are,” she explained.
For the next several hours, he kept a running tally of all the items unloaded from the wagons, each of which was shown to Meg first before being taken off to the storerooms. When all the wagons finished unloading, Meg asked for his lists, she looked over what he wrote, nodding her head.
“Well done boy; now we return to tha kitchen, tis time to serve the evening meal,” she said, as he helped her from the platform and she patted him on the arm in thanks.
Once they reached the passage leading back to the kitchen Daniel spoke, “Meg…could you help me find my friends?”
She paused, allowing him to move along side her; looking up at him, she spoke, “Now why would I want ta help ya do that?”
“Because you seem like a kind and caring person and I think you could help if you wanted to,” he told her.
Meg gave him a small smile and began walking down the corridor again, “We’ll see…we’ll see”, she commented.
Daniel heard the sound of many raised voices as they neared the kitchen area; walking in he discovered the room bustling with activity as many more people hurried around the room readying platters of food. Meg turned to him, taking the box out of his hands she sent him to help the younger boys with the carving of one of the roasted carcasses hanging from a spit. He shuffled over to the fireplace where two boys were trying to transfer the roasted meat to a table. He grabbed a hold of one end and they moved to take the other, between the three of them, they wrangled the huge slab of meat to the table.
Daniel picked up a large knife and began slicing pieces off the slab, transferring it to platters the boys laid on the table. The smell of the roasted meat made his stomach rumble again and he was tempted to take a bite; just as he was about to do so one of the boys spoke up.
“Hey you can’t do that,” he said.
“Yeah…we have ta wait til after the main hall eats,” the other boy chimed in.
Daniel stopped his action, looking at the two he put the piece on a platter and went back to slicing, as he worked he glanced at the boys who were now helping him carve the meat, “My name is Daniel…what’s yours?”
The two looked at each other, and then one of them replied, “I’m Jared and he’s Korin.”
Daniel nodded, “Are you two slaves as well?” he asked.
“Of course…our parents were slaves, so are we; but one day we’ll be caravan guards,” Jared boasted.
“You can be a guard if ya want but I’m gon ta stay in the kitchens with Meg,” Korin said giving his friend a playful shove.
Daniel smiled at the two as they continued their work, soon they had many platters piled high with carved slices and the two boys picked up the now lighter carcass, toting it between them, they carried it through another doorway. Daniel picked up a rag, wiped his hands off and then stood watching as Meg flittered about checking everyone’s progress. The boys ran back in to stand beside him as she neared their table; she walked up to check over the platters and then told the boys to show Daniel what to do.
Looking up at Daniel she spoke, “Now just ya follow Jared and Korin they will show ya what ta do; but remember no speaking in tha main hall unless spoken ta first, now off with ya,” she told him and turned to oversee the rest of the kitchen.
Jared quickly explained each table would get three platters as he helped Korin shoulder one of the platters. Daniel helped Jared with his platter and then picked up one of his own, holding it high as he followed the two boys to the main hall. They did this until all the platters now sat on the tables along with other trays of food that the other kitchen slaves carried out. Waiting on the two to return from their last trip Daniel glanced around the quieting kitchen. He could not help but wonder what his friends were going through at this moment, especially Sam…he was sure they were not having as easy a time as he was. He hoped Meg could help him find out what had happened to them. Just then, Jared ran back into the room.
“Now we have to get the wine, follow me,” he said pulling on Daniel’s arm.
Daniel followed him to another room where a man was filling pitchers from huge casks. A line of slaves waited and as a pitcher was filled, they took them, two at a time out of the room and back to the main hall.
“Each table gets eight pitchers,” Korin said appearing at Daniel’s elbow, “and then ya stand off to the side to wait for when they need new ones.”
Daniel nodded and then took two pitchers, shuffling back to the main hall, placing them on a table; this went on until all the tables were set and then he joined Jared and Korin standing against the wall. The sound of a bell tolling signaled the dinner’s readiness and soon people began filing into the main hall.
Daniel recognized many of the men as guards from the caravan but there were families as well who entered the room, taking their places at the tables, they stood waiting. What they waited on was apparent when Jarvis entered through a doorway near the head table, when he took his seat the rest of the waiting people did as well.
Soon the sounds of people talking and eating filled the main hall and Daniel along with the boys did not stand still for long as calls for more wine or foodstuffs began to ring out. On one such trip Daniel set a fresh pitcher of wine on a table, turning away he found himself falling to land awkwardly on the floor. He rolled over to look up into the face of one of the guards who escorted the team to the mountain.
The man sneered at him and spat, “Clumsy slave.”
Daniel picked himself off the floor and keeping his head bowed shuffled back to stand against the wall once more. Soon a loud call rang out, “Scholar…more wine!” Daniel looked towards the call; it came from Jarvis. Moving as fast as possible, he fetched another pitcher of wine and carried it towards the main table.
As he set the container before Jarvis, the man spoke, “Meg…has the scholar proved useful to you?”
Daniel glanced up just enough to see Meg sitting a few seats down from Jarvis, “Ay Master Jarvis, these old hands an eyes thank ya; he was very useful with tha supply tally.”
“Good…good…the pretty one said you could entertain us as well; Do you know any stories to tell scholar?” asked Jarvis as he took a bite out of a piece of meat.
Keeping his head bowed Daniel answered, “Yes Master Jarvis, I know many tales; do you wish to hear one?”
“Speak on scholar,” said Jarvis waving his cup at Daniel.
The archeologist thought for a moment then began telling the adventures of Alexander the Great to the head table; as he neared the end of the story Daniel realized the sounds of talking in the main hall quieted as the other tables listened to the tale. When he finished, there was a moment of silence and then clapping began as they showed their approval of his story.
Jarvis joined in the applause, “Well done scholar; I shall have to thank the pretty one for proving keeping you alive was a good idea. You may leave now,” he said, dismissing Daniel from the table.
Daniel shuffled back to stand by the boys as the main hall began emptying of diners. Waiting until all left the boys then began gathering empty platters and pitchers. Daniel joined them, following Jared and Korin as they carried their burdens to a room where several women washed the dirty items in large wooden tubs. They kept at this until all the used utensils and platters were off the tables. Korin appeared with two buckets and they along with several others washed the tables down while another group of boys swept the floors. Daniel was amazed at the proficiency of the slaves as they completed the task rather quickly.
“Come Daniel, we get ta eat now,” Korin said tugging on his shirt.
They went back to the kitchen were platters of the same food they served were waiting. Jared gave him a plate and they joined the line of slaves waiting for food. His plate filled with some meat, bread and a few tuber-like vegetables, Daniel followed the boys over to the same table Meg sat him at earlier. In between bites of food, the two boys peppered him with questions.
“Do ya know more stories like that?” asked Korin.
“Can you teach us?” Jared asked through a mouth full of bread.
“Who’s tha pretty one?” this question came from Meg who walked up to stand beside the trio.
Daniel looked up at her, “She’s one of my friends I wanted you to help me find; when we were separated they took her to Jarvis’s quarters.”
The faces of Meg and the two boys grew grave; the three shook their heads at this comment.
“What’s wrong?” asked Daniel.
“Tis not a good thing they took her there; Jarvis used ta be a good man but he has changed, many a girl has gone missing after visiting his rooms,” Meg replied shaking her head.
Daniel’s face blanched, the worst thoughts running through his head, “No…not Sam,” he said softly.
Meg placed a hand on his shoulder, “I’m sorry Daniel, we can only wait ta see if she shows up; where did they take yer other friends?” she asked him softly.
His thoughts still reeling, Daniel mumbled, “To the mines.”
“Well tis hard work in the mines but we may be able ta find them, these two here can check when they carry tha porridge in tha morning,” she said gesturing at the boys.
“Yes…just tell us what they look like and we’ll look while we hand out food,” Jared said quickly with Korin nodding also.
Daniel described Jack and Teal’c to the two boys, showing them his jacket and the patches on it “They should be wearing clothes like mine and Jack wasn’t wearing a shirt the last time I saw him,” he told them.
Meg picked up the med kit and opened the bag, “What is this?” she asked.
Daniel explained what occurred on the journey and that Jarvis let him keep the medicines, “There are more with our other equipment but he kept those.”
“Ahh…so ya know healing arts as well,” Meg remarked.
Daniel smiled, “Just enough to get by; I have a friend who is a healer, she taught me a few things,” he said to Meg.
“Good…good, ya may need tha skills if yer friend turns up,” said Meg.
Daniel swallowed and nodded his head to the tiny woman, “I hope not.”
“Well then, tis getting late; ya finish yer meal and these two scamps will show ya where ya can wash up and then back ta tha sleeping room,” she said as she ruffled the two boy’s hair, giving them a grin, “morning comes before ya know it.”
The three finished with their meals and Jared carried the empty plates off to the washroom. When he returned the pair led Daniel to a room past the sleeping quarters that contained several large wooden tubs filled with steaming water. Both Jared and Korin stripped their clothing off and quickly jumped in a tub, washing away the dirt and grime from the day. Daniel removed his shirt, but left the rest of his clothing on and washed his upper body clean with a rough bar of soap one of the boys threw at him. Korin hopped out of the tub and went to a cabinet against the wall, he returned with thin towels; giving one each to Daniel and Jared. The boys dried off and then wrapped the towels around their waists, picking up their dirty clothing Jared motioned for Daniel to follow.
Walking back to the sleeping quarters they led Daniel to a cot in the corner, Jared pulled a chest from under the cot next to Daniels’ and gave him a blanket; he also pulled out fresh clothing for him and Korin.
Pulling a clean shirt over his head Jared spoke, “You can use my blanket tonight, I’ll share with Korin; tomorrow we’ll get you one along with some clothes and a chest to keep them in.”
“Thank you,” Daniel told him, “You seem to have a nice life for a slave.”
“Oh…it’s because we work in tha kitchen with Meg; she knows if ya are happy ya work harder,” Korin replied, pulling on his new shirt, “she rules in tha lower levels, even Master Jarvis listens ta her.”
“Most of the time,” chimed in Jared as he climbed into his cot; Korin lay next to him and spread a blanket over them both.
Daniel watched as the two boys fought for space and then settled down; their breaths slowly evening out as sleep overtook them. He sighed and sat on his cot, removing his boots, he lay down covering himself with the borrowed blanket. His last thoughts before succumbing to sleep were of his friends; hoping they were all right.
A rough shaking woke Daniel from his sleep, “Daniel…Daniel…time ta wake, we have ta prepare tha morning meal,” Korin said as he shook Daniel once more.
Daniel rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up, stretching his arms over his head he let them fall back to his side.
“Come on Daniel,” Jared said tossing Daniel his shirt.
Daniel pulled the shirt over his head, pushing the manacles up he put his boots back on and shuffled after the two boys. The kitchen was bustling with activity as the morning meal readied. Meg set him and the boys to work pulling loaves of bread from the oven and stacking them in baskets; he saw several slaves stirring large cauldrons hanging over the low fires. Jared and Korin disappeared for a few moments only to appear again carrying a smaller cauldron slung on a pole between them; they carried it to the larger one where the slaves doing the stirring filled it with a porridge mixture. Walking back to Daniel with their load, they each picked up a basket and using a piece of rope looped through the handles slung a basket of bread over their shoulders.
“We go to the mines now Daniel; I’ll keep an eye out for your friends,” Jared told him and then the two boys walked away with their heavy load.
Daniel continued stacking bread until Meg walked up and pulled him away to sit at what he now thought of his table. She placed a bowl of the porridge in front of him, “Eat…ya need yer strength; I have much for ya ta do today.”
The tiny woman spoke the truth as Daniels’ day was filled with many grueling tasks; from cleaning out the old coals and ashes in the fireplaces and oven to hauling foodstuffs from the storage rooms; he paused only long enough to eat when Jared brought him some food. Time passed quickly and before he realized it was time for the evening meal. Meg set him to the same chore from the night before and he and the boys readied the meat for the meal.
During the serving of the meal, he experienced several more instances of tripping by the guards as well as a few well-aimed kicks while he lay on the ground. As with the night before Jarvis called on him to tell another story and Daniel chose the tale of Gilgamesh. When he finished with it, the diners applauded his telling.
Returning to the kitchen after cleaning the main hall, he and the boys sat at the table eating their evening meal, where he learned Jared was unable to locate his friends in the mine but he assured Daniel they would look again in the morning; as he finished his food Meg walked up to stand next to them.
“Ya need ta come with me Daniel,” she said softly, her voice carried a worried tone.
Daniel nodded a confused look on his face as he stood to follow her. She led him out of the kitchen, past his sleeping quarters to another room further down the corridor. Following Meg into the room Daniel saw a huddled form lying on a cot.
“Is this yer friend Daniel?” asked Meg her voice barely a whisper.
Daniel moved forward until he could see the form better, “Oh God…Sam.”
His friend lay curled in a ball; she wore no clothing and was covered in blood. Daniel rushed to kneel next to her, he felt for a pulse and finding one sighed in relief; she was alive. Alive but burning up he realized as he brushed her matted hair away from her forehead. The blood covering her seemed to have come from dozens of small cuts covering her arms and upper body.
He turned to look at Meg, “How?”
“I know not Daniel; two guards brought her here before tha evening meal. Just be thankful she lives,” Meg said quietly, “I’ll send tha boys with fresh water and yer healing bag; take care of yer friend.” with this said she turned to walk away from the pair.
Daniel sat down on the floor next to Sam, grasping one of her hands he squeezed it and smiled widely when his squeeze was returned. He looked up to see her eyes open and leaned closer as she spoke in a raspy voice, “Hey Daniel…I messed up really good this time…think you can fix me again?” she gave him a small grin and then passed out.
Author: elfcat255
pairing: Sam/Janet and Daniel(he plays a key role now folks)
rated: PG-13(this will be the rating from here on out unless it goes up)
spoilers: Nope
Warnings:..not really
Summary:picks up were I stopped in part 7
AN: Okay..here it is..and it's really lonnnnng...and it's all Daniel...but I had to set up his part of the story and introduce some key players in the tale...and if I rambled..forgive me..I wrote this inbtween fevered naps...so feel free to point out mistakes if you see them...hope you like it...*snuggles down into my blanket and drinks more hot tea*
Daniel watched as Janet stroked Sam’s face, softly murmuring reassurances to her sleeping lover. He truly wished he could tell the doctor what happened to Sam after she left them but he could not; that was something his friend would have to do.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
Janet looked up at the soft comment, seeing the pained look on Daniel’s face she replied, “Oh Daniel…there’s nothing for you to be sorry for; from what she said there was nothing you could do to stop them from separating the four of you.”
“It’s just…” he began but she stopped him with a raised hand.
“No more apologizing for something you had no control over Daniel. Now... tell me more of your story; both you and she were right, talking about what occurred will be good for you,” the doctor said to him.
“There really isn’t much to tell Janet,” he sighed.
“Daniel stop stalling and start talking, neither of us is going anywhere soon,” she said gesturing at Sam’s long form which had them both pinned to the couch, “unless you want to risk moving and wake her up.”
Daniel glanced down at the feet in his lap, he could move if he wanted but knew Sam needed to sleep. Taking a deep breath, he began to tell Janet his tale.
He watched as Sam collapsed from the blow to her back. The two guards escorting her picked his friend up by the arms and carried her away from them.
He cried out, “Sam!” Nevertheless, she did not answer his call only more blows from a club and several well-placed kicks did though.
“Enough!” yelled Kern. “They need to be able to work!”
The beating stopped and the three remaining team members lay on the ground until pulled up by several of the guards. Daniel saw that Jack bled from a large cut over his eye and Teal’c favored his ribs; he too was suffering from the blows as he used the sleeve of his jacket to wipe the blood from a cut on his cheek.
Kern eyed the three men, “I suggest you not try anything like that again or else next time I will let them continue until you can’t move,“ he said coldly and then motioned to the guards to take them away.
Daniel watched as Jack and Teal’c were led away disappearing into a tunnel off to the left of the ramp way. A prod to the back made him stumble forward as the two men began pushing him towards a tunnel further away from the ramp. One man moved to walk before him while the other followed behind as they entered the passageway. The first few feet were shrouded in darkness but soon changed as small lamps appeared along the walls, their flickering light illuminating the wide corridor.
As they traveled along the passageway Daniel noticed open doorways spaced at odd intervals, passing these doors he caught the barest glimpse of the rooms behind them, the man behind prodding him forward whenever he tried to linger. Several twists and turns later they walked down a stairway; his empty stomach rumbled loudly as his nose caught the odors of cooking food. Exiting the stairwell they entered into an open space filled with many long tables and a huge fireplace.
The guards led him past these and through a doorway into the large kitchen area where several women and small boys were busy preparing food. There were two large fireplaces and an oven along one wall while hanging from racks along the ceiling were all sorts of cooking utensils. A tiny elderly woman saw the men enter and walked to meet them.
“Here now…what’s this?” she asked nearing them.
“The master sends you more help Meg,” replied one of the guards.
The woman eyed Daniel, she walked around, poking him, “Show me your hands,” she said to him.
Daniel held out his chained arms, turning his hands palm up; she grasped a hold of them and felt, “Never worked a hard day in his life this one,” she said eyeing one of the guards.
“Claims to be a scholar Meg,” the man told her.
Meg stood in front of Daniel, her head barely reaching his chin; she looked up at him, “Well are ya?”
Daniel just nodded; “What’s a matter boy, can’t ya speak?”
Daniel glanced at the two guards and Meg laughed, “Don’t worry boy…yer in my kitchen now, they can’t hurt ya,” she told him.
“Yes I can speak and I am a scholar of sorts,” he replied.
“Good then…” she pointed at his manacle bound wrists, “Take those off, he’s of no use ta me with his hands chained,” she told one of the guards.
The man unlocked the manacles from Daniel’s wrists removing them but left the ones on his ankles. Saying their farewells to Meg, they left him in her care.
“Follow me boy,” she said motioning to him.
Daniel shuffled behind her as she led him over to a small table along one wall and sat when she told him; leaving him alone for a moment, she soon returned carrying a bowl and a loaf of bread.
“I ’m guessing yer hungry, the master never feeds tha new ones,” she placed the food on the table before him, “well eat up…no one goes hungry in my kitchen.”
Daniel tasted the paste like substance in the bowl and then began spooning it into his mouth, eating hungrily; pausing only long enough to break off a piece of the bread and eat that as well.
“Slow down boy, make yerself sick ya will eating that fast,” she told him, thumping him on the back when he almost choked on a bite of bread.
She placed a cup beside his hand and he drank down the water it held, “My name is Daniel,” he told her after swallowing the drink.
“A fine name it is, but ya won’t hear it spoken past these walls; slave’s names are not used nor are they allowed to talk out of turn; but in my kitchen ya can speak,” she told him.
“But they called you by name,” he said in between bites of porridge.
“I earned my freedom a long time ago Daniel; you might one day too,” remarked Meg as she called out directions to one of the young boys turning a carcass on a spit, “now eat yer food and then I’ll show ya what yer tasks will be.”
Daniel ate slowly now as he watched Meg walk around the kitchen, showing her helpers what to do or complimenting them when they succeeded at one of her tasks. She seemed like a kind woman, he watched as she smacked one of the spit boys with a wooden spoon, kind but firm he thought. Maybe she could help him find out where the other members of SG-1 were. Daniel watched for a few more moments and then continued eating his food.
Meg soon returned, carrying another bowl, a bundle of cloth and a small box; she placed them on the table in front of Daniel, “It gets mighty warm in here when all the fires are going, here is ya a shirt to wear and some fresh water ta clean the blood from yer face,” she told him. “Since ya claim ta be a scholar I’m guessing ya can read and write,” Daniel nodded. “Good then, ya can help me with tha tally for tha supply wagons; these old hands can hold a knife better than a quill these days.”
Daniel stood up, taking his jacket off; he pulled on the light homespun shirt; wetting a rag found on the table he took his glasses off and washed his face; once finished he then picked up the box, opening it he found several sheets of paper, a quill and a small container filled with ink he assumed. Wrapping the medical bag up in his jacket, he placed it on the high shelf above the table.
Meg motioned for him to follow her once more and he shuffled after her, the chains on his ankles making clinking noises on the stone floor as he moved. They walked down a corridor, passing several doorways. She pointed out the storerooms for dried foods and a cold room for meat; the tiny woman stopped at one door, showing him the room where he would sleep, which contained several low cots.
“Ya will be sharing a room with tha young boys, I’ll not have ya tempting me girls,” she said to him with a grin and then began walking again.
Daniel smiled as he walked behind her, she was quite the character, this old woman he thought. They soon reached an open cavern where Daniel discovered the caravan wagons they followed behind during the journey being unloaded. Meg walked over to a raised platform that held two stools and podium; she climbed up on a stool and motioned for Daniel to join her. He sat on the other stool with the small box resting on his lap.
“Now boy…let me see yer letters,” she asked.
Daniel opened the box, took out a sheet of the paper, and the quill. He set the bottle of ink on the podium, dipping the quill in he took a guess and wrote the English alphabet across the top of the sheet.
Meg glanced at the letters, “Will do boy…will do. Now when I tell ya what to write ya do it, keeping track of how many of what there are,” she explained.
For the next several hours, he kept a running tally of all the items unloaded from the wagons, each of which was shown to Meg first before being taken off to the storerooms. When all the wagons finished unloading, Meg asked for his lists, she looked over what he wrote, nodding her head.
“Well done boy; now we return to tha kitchen, tis time to serve the evening meal,” she said, as he helped her from the platform and she patted him on the arm in thanks.
Once they reached the passage leading back to the kitchen Daniel spoke, “Meg…could you help me find my friends?”
She paused, allowing him to move along side her; looking up at him, she spoke, “Now why would I want ta help ya do that?”
“Because you seem like a kind and caring person and I think you could help if you wanted to,” he told her.
Meg gave him a small smile and began walking down the corridor again, “We’ll see…we’ll see”, she commented.
Daniel heard the sound of many raised voices as they neared the kitchen area; walking in he discovered the room bustling with activity as many more people hurried around the room readying platters of food. Meg turned to him, taking the box out of his hands she sent him to help the younger boys with the carving of one of the roasted carcasses hanging from a spit. He shuffled over to the fireplace where two boys were trying to transfer the roasted meat to a table. He grabbed a hold of one end and they moved to take the other, between the three of them, they wrangled the huge slab of meat to the table.
Daniel picked up a large knife and began slicing pieces off the slab, transferring it to platters the boys laid on the table. The smell of the roasted meat made his stomach rumble again and he was tempted to take a bite; just as he was about to do so one of the boys spoke up.
“Hey you can’t do that,” he said.
“Yeah…we have ta wait til after the main hall eats,” the other boy chimed in.
Daniel stopped his action, looking at the two he put the piece on a platter and went back to slicing, as he worked he glanced at the boys who were now helping him carve the meat, “My name is Daniel…what’s yours?”
The two looked at each other, and then one of them replied, “I’m Jared and he’s Korin.”
Daniel nodded, “Are you two slaves as well?” he asked.
“Of course…our parents were slaves, so are we; but one day we’ll be caravan guards,” Jared boasted.
“You can be a guard if ya want but I’m gon ta stay in the kitchens with Meg,” Korin said giving his friend a playful shove.
Daniel smiled at the two as they continued their work, soon they had many platters piled high with carved slices and the two boys picked up the now lighter carcass, toting it between them, they carried it through another doorway. Daniel picked up a rag, wiped his hands off and then stood watching as Meg flittered about checking everyone’s progress. The boys ran back in to stand beside him as she neared their table; she walked up to check over the platters and then told the boys to show Daniel what to do.
Looking up at Daniel she spoke, “Now just ya follow Jared and Korin they will show ya what ta do; but remember no speaking in tha main hall unless spoken ta first, now off with ya,” she told him and turned to oversee the rest of the kitchen.
Jared quickly explained each table would get three platters as he helped Korin shoulder one of the platters. Daniel helped Jared with his platter and then picked up one of his own, holding it high as he followed the two boys to the main hall. They did this until all the platters now sat on the tables along with other trays of food that the other kitchen slaves carried out. Waiting on the two to return from their last trip Daniel glanced around the quieting kitchen. He could not help but wonder what his friends were going through at this moment, especially Sam…he was sure they were not having as easy a time as he was. He hoped Meg could help him find out what had happened to them. Just then, Jared ran back into the room.
“Now we have to get the wine, follow me,” he said pulling on Daniel’s arm.
Daniel followed him to another room where a man was filling pitchers from huge casks. A line of slaves waited and as a pitcher was filled, they took them, two at a time out of the room and back to the main hall.
“Each table gets eight pitchers,” Korin said appearing at Daniel’s elbow, “and then ya stand off to the side to wait for when they need new ones.”
Daniel nodded and then took two pitchers, shuffling back to the main hall, placing them on a table; this went on until all the tables were set and then he joined Jared and Korin standing against the wall. The sound of a bell tolling signaled the dinner’s readiness and soon people began filing into the main hall.
Daniel recognized many of the men as guards from the caravan but there were families as well who entered the room, taking their places at the tables, they stood waiting. What they waited on was apparent when Jarvis entered through a doorway near the head table, when he took his seat the rest of the waiting people did as well.
Soon the sounds of people talking and eating filled the main hall and Daniel along with the boys did not stand still for long as calls for more wine or foodstuffs began to ring out. On one such trip Daniel set a fresh pitcher of wine on a table, turning away he found himself falling to land awkwardly on the floor. He rolled over to look up into the face of one of the guards who escorted the team to the mountain.
The man sneered at him and spat, “Clumsy slave.”
Daniel picked himself off the floor and keeping his head bowed shuffled back to stand against the wall once more. Soon a loud call rang out, “Scholar…more wine!” Daniel looked towards the call; it came from Jarvis. Moving as fast as possible, he fetched another pitcher of wine and carried it towards the main table.
As he set the container before Jarvis, the man spoke, “Meg…has the scholar proved useful to you?”
Daniel glanced up just enough to see Meg sitting a few seats down from Jarvis, “Ay Master Jarvis, these old hands an eyes thank ya; he was very useful with tha supply tally.”
“Good…good…the pretty one said you could entertain us as well; Do you know any stories to tell scholar?” asked Jarvis as he took a bite out of a piece of meat.
Keeping his head bowed Daniel answered, “Yes Master Jarvis, I know many tales; do you wish to hear one?”
“Speak on scholar,” said Jarvis waving his cup at Daniel.
The archeologist thought for a moment then began telling the adventures of Alexander the Great to the head table; as he neared the end of the story Daniel realized the sounds of talking in the main hall quieted as the other tables listened to the tale. When he finished, there was a moment of silence and then clapping began as they showed their approval of his story.
Jarvis joined in the applause, “Well done scholar; I shall have to thank the pretty one for proving keeping you alive was a good idea. You may leave now,” he said, dismissing Daniel from the table.
Daniel shuffled back to stand by the boys as the main hall began emptying of diners. Waiting until all left the boys then began gathering empty platters and pitchers. Daniel joined them, following Jared and Korin as they carried their burdens to a room where several women washed the dirty items in large wooden tubs. They kept at this until all the used utensils and platters were off the tables. Korin appeared with two buckets and they along with several others washed the tables down while another group of boys swept the floors. Daniel was amazed at the proficiency of the slaves as they completed the task rather quickly.
“Come Daniel, we get ta eat now,” Korin said tugging on his shirt.
They went back to the kitchen were platters of the same food they served were waiting. Jared gave him a plate and they joined the line of slaves waiting for food. His plate filled with some meat, bread and a few tuber-like vegetables, Daniel followed the boys over to the same table Meg sat him at earlier. In between bites of food, the two boys peppered him with questions.
“Do ya know more stories like that?” asked Korin.
“Can you teach us?” Jared asked through a mouth full of bread.
“Who’s tha pretty one?” this question came from Meg who walked up to stand beside the trio.
Daniel looked up at her, “She’s one of my friends I wanted you to help me find; when we were separated they took her to Jarvis’s quarters.”
The faces of Meg and the two boys grew grave; the three shook their heads at this comment.
“What’s wrong?” asked Daniel.
“Tis not a good thing they took her there; Jarvis used ta be a good man but he has changed, many a girl has gone missing after visiting his rooms,” Meg replied shaking her head.
Daniel’s face blanched, the worst thoughts running through his head, “No…not Sam,” he said softly.
Meg placed a hand on his shoulder, “I’m sorry Daniel, we can only wait ta see if she shows up; where did they take yer other friends?” she asked him softly.
His thoughts still reeling, Daniel mumbled, “To the mines.”
“Well tis hard work in the mines but we may be able ta find them, these two here can check when they carry tha porridge in tha morning,” she said gesturing at the boys.
“Yes…just tell us what they look like and we’ll look while we hand out food,” Jared said quickly with Korin nodding also.
Daniel described Jack and Teal’c to the two boys, showing them his jacket and the patches on it “They should be wearing clothes like mine and Jack wasn’t wearing a shirt the last time I saw him,” he told them.
Meg picked up the med kit and opened the bag, “What is this?” she asked.
Daniel explained what occurred on the journey and that Jarvis let him keep the medicines, “There are more with our other equipment but he kept those.”
“Ahh…so ya know healing arts as well,” Meg remarked.
Daniel smiled, “Just enough to get by; I have a friend who is a healer, she taught me a few things,” he said to Meg.
“Good…good, ya may need tha skills if yer friend turns up,” said Meg.
Daniel swallowed and nodded his head to the tiny woman, “I hope not.”
“Well then, tis getting late; ya finish yer meal and these two scamps will show ya where ya can wash up and then back ta tha sleeping room,” she said as she ruffled the two boy’s hair, giving them a grin, “morning comes before ya know it.”
The three finished with their meals and Jared carried the empty plates off to the washroom. When he returned the pair led Daniel to a room past the sleeping quarters that contained several large wooden tubs filled with steaming water. Both Jared and Korin stripped their clothing off and quickly jumped in a tub, washing away the dirt and grime from the day. Daniel removed his shirt, but left the rest of his clothing on and washed his upper body clean with a rough bar of soap one of the boys threw at him. Korin hopped out of the tub and went to a cabinet against the wall, he returned with thin towels; giving one each to Daniel and Jared. The boys dried off and then wrapped the towels around their waists, picking up their dirty clothing Jared motioned for Daniel to follow.
Walking back to the sleeping quarters they led Daniel to a cot in the corner, Jared pulled a chest from under the cot next to Daniels’ and gave him a blanket; he also pulled out fresh clothing for him and Korin.
Pulling a clean shirt over his head Jared spoke, “You can use my blanket tonight, I’ll share with Korin; tomorrow we’ll get you one along with some clothes and a chest to keep them in.”
“Thank you,” Daniel told him, “You seem to have a nice life for a slave.”
“Oh…it’s because we work in tha kitchen with Meg; she knows if ya are happy ya work harder,” Korin replied, pulling on his new shirt, “she rules in tha lower levels, even Master Jarvis listens ta her.”
“Most of the time,” chimed in Jared as he climbed into his cot; Korin lay next to him and spread a blanket over them both.
Daniel watched as the two boys fought for space and then settled down; their breaths slowly evening out as sleep overtook them. He sighed and sat on his cot, removing his boots, he lay down covering himself with the borrowed blanket. His last thoughts before succumbing to sleep were of his friends; hoping they were all right.
A rough shaking woke Daniel from his sleep, “Daniel…Daniel…time ta wake, we have ta prepare tha morning meal,” Korin said as he shook Daniel once more.
Daniel rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up, stretching his arms over his head he let them fall back to his side.
“Come on Daniel,” Jared said tossing Daniel his shirt.
Daniel pulled the shirt over his head, pushing the manacles up he put his boots back on and shuffled after the two boys. The kitchen was bustling with activity as the morning meal readied. Meg set him and the boys to work pulling loaves of bread from the oven and stacking them in baskets; he saw several slaves stirring large cauldrons hanging over the low fires. Jared and Korin disappeared for a few moments only to appear again carrying a smaller cauldron slung on a pole between them; they carried it to the larger one where the slaves doing the stirring filled it with a porridge mixture. Walking back to Daniel with their load, they each picked up a basket and using a piece of rope looped through the handles slung a basket of bread over their shoulders.
“We go to the mines now Daniel; I’ll keep an eye out for your friends,” Jared told him and then the two boys walked away with their heavy load.
Daniel continued stacking bread until Meg walked up and pulled him away to sit at what he now thought of his table. She placed a bowl of the porridge in front of him, “Eat…ya need yer strength; I have much for ya ta do today.”
The tiny woman spoke the truth as Daniels’ day was filled with many grueling tasks; from cleaning out the old coals and ashes in the fireplaces and oven to hauling foodstuffs from the storage rooms; he paused only long enough to eat when Jared brought him some food. Time passed quickly and before he realized it was time for the evening meal. Meg set him to the same chore from the night before and he and the boys readied the meat for the meal.
During the serving of the meal, he experienced several more instances of tripping by the guards as well as a few well-aimed kicks while he lay on the ground. As with the night before Jarvis called on him to tell another story and Daniel chose the tale of Gilgamesh. When he finished with it, the diners applauded his telling.
Returning to the kitchen after cleaning the main hall, he and the boys sat at the table eating their evening meal, where he learned Jared was unable to locate his friends in the mine but he assured Daniel they would look again in the morning; as he finished his food Meg walked up to stand next to them.
“Ya need ta come with me Daniel,” she said softly, her voice carried a worried tone.
Daniel nodded a confused look on his face as he stood to follow her. She led him out of the kitchen, past his sleeping quarters to another room further down the corridor. Following Meg into the room Daniel saw a huddled form lying on a cot.
“Is this yer friend Daniel?” asked Meg her voice barely a whisper.
Daniel moved forward until he could see the form better, “Oh God…Sam.”
His friend lay curled in a ball; she wore no clothing and was covered in blood. Daniel rushed to kneel next to her, he felt for a pulse and finding one sighed in relief; she was alive. Alive but burning up he realized as he brushed her matted hair away from her forehead. The blood covering her seemed to have come from dozens of small cuts covering her arms and upper body.
He turned to look at Meg, “How?”
“I know not Daniel; two guards brought her here before tha evening meal. Just be thankful she lives,” Meg said quietly, “I’ll send tha boys with fresh water and yer healing bag; take care of yer friend.” with this said she turned to walk away from the pair.
Daniel sat down on the floor next to Sam, grasping one of her hands he squeezed it and smiled widely when his squeeze was returned. He looked up to see her eyes open and leaned closer as she spoke in a raspy voice, “Hey Daniel…I messed up really good this time…think you can fix me again?” she gave him a small grin and then passed out.
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