The kingdom looked bright after the storm of stones the night before. Chris peered out from behind Dartz's robe.

"Has it gone daddy?"

Dartz nodded, "It's gone, treasure."

She stepped out and blinked into the sun. "Has it hurt anyone?"

"Not that I have heard or seen." Dartz touched her lightly on the head and stared out. What had landed on Atlantis was a mystery. The hail stones had been great indeed. A storm of them. He had seen them, heard them landing with great thuds. He, his wife and daughter had taken refuge in the vaults of their great palace. His father had joined them, but stayed apart.

Dartz was a good leader. A kind king, but being quick to anger, his subjects didn't come to him much. They never came to him actually. Not since...

How could he know what the real damage was if no one talked to him?

"Sire?"

Dartz turned to look at his captain of the guard, "Yes?"

"You have some... subjects to talk to in the great hall."

Dartz was surprised. This would be the first time in five years he had ruled Atlantis! "Bring the robes of ceremony."

Iona sat in the second grand chair, with Chris sitting at the foot of her chair. For a woman Dartz had not chosen to be his wife, he loved her greatly. They had grown closer over the five years of their marriage, and her council was invaluable.

He spun his cloak and his courtiers rose. As he seated himself, he beckoned for everyone else to be seated too. The doors creaked open with a great weight, and six subjects stood at the end of the hall.

"Come forward." Dartz called.

They walked slowly along the bejewelled blue carpet. Atlantis was a rich, prosperous land. Fast becoming a country to lead the others.

"What have you to say?" Dartz was not used to talking to the common folk in a formalised situation. He glanced left towards a guard, in case an attempt upon his, or more importantly his wife's life was made.

"Sire." A tall, darkly handsome man stepped forward, "The hail stones last night."

"Meteors." another whispered.

"They did great damage to your city."

Chris sat up, "But daddy, you said..."

Dartz held his hand out to stop her talking. He had to act like a king now, not a father. "What damage has it done?"

"The temples have all been destroyed."

"And what else?"

"Nothing."

There was a silence.

"Nothing?" Dartz leaned forward.

"Mummy, Daddy said..."

"Silence!" Dartz bellowed down.

Another silence fell. Chris stared up, shaking lightly.

"Say nothing more. Or you shall not sit in again." Dartz glared down at his daughter. It was the hardest thing he'd ever done. It was tradition for the royal children to sit in on the hearings. The problem was, this was her first hearing. She did not realise the shame that would come from showing him up. Dartz turned away from her teary blue eyes. "You were saying?"

"Only the temples have been destroyed, and the priests. Our religion is dying."

Dartz sat back. He puzzled it through, "We must rebuild the temples."

"Sire!" His accountant stepped forward, "We can't. The finances..."

"Forget the finances." The tall man said, "You can't build it anyway."

Dartz got up and straightened out his cloak, "Why not?"

"You should come and see. I think you would find it most enlightening."

The man turned, and as Dartz looked closely, a green shine reflected in his eye. The men all walked away, in perfect unison.

The court was silent, waiting for him to make his judgement. He could not appear a coward.

"Prepare the chariot!"

He stood in the back of his marble hall. Changing into his blue cloak. He fumbled with the clasp nervously.

A hand went to his chest, "Let me."

Iona delicately moved the clasp higher on to his chest and fastened it to the gold chain. "You're so nervous."

"I'm not."

"Shhhh." She stroked a strand of his shining blue hair, "It's dangerous. We've never really been out before."

"It's the first time I've ever had to use the chariots."

"Dartz, why did you have to yell at Chris?" Iona smiled gently at him, she knew she was walking on dangerous ground asking him this.

Dartz paused. He took Iona's hands, "Iona, Chris is following in the line of kings, she can't do that. She can't just interrupt." He gripped her hand more tightly, unaware, in a world on his own, "Do you know the shame she could have brought upon me, she's a girl, a child. she needs to be silent at hearings. Can you imagine what father will say about her, to her if she goes on like that? I'm going to need to control her more. I've got to..."

"Dartz" Iona whispered.

"Hmm?" Dartz had forgotten she was there.

"Let go, you've..."

Dartz dropped her ghost white hands and watched the blood flow gradually back in to them.

"I'm so..."

"No, no. It's fine. I'm used to it." She smiled.

"You shouldn't be." Dartz stroked her face lightly.

"I'll tell Chris we'll be back soon."

"She's coming too. She needs to learn her duties."

Iona froze, "Dartz, you said yourself it was dangerous. She's not going." Iona warned.

"She'll be here on her own if we leave her. That's dangerous too."

"Then I'll stay here with her" Iona pleaded.

"NO!" Dartz boomed descending on her, "I will not have the people of Atlantis believe I am afraid!" He held his hand up poised in warning.

Iona turned her face away and looked down, frightened.

"Mummy?" Chris looked up from behind the door, "Are you ok?"

"We're fine." Dartz didn't turn his head away from his wife, "Are you ready?"

"What for?" Chris pulled her teddy up to hide the lower half of her face. She looked so young.

"We're going to see the temples." Dartz swept out the room, his long cloak following him.

Iona wiped her eye and smiled at Chris, "Come on. Get your robes."

The chariot was splendid indeed. Pulled by four white horses, all decked in a magnificent blue, blue feathers protruding from their manes. The chariot was gold, with red velvet lining. Dartz sat inside, shaking slightly.

"Look Chris, that's your grandfather's marble statue. " Iona pointed out of the crack in the curtains, and Chris shuffled across her seat to see.

"Don't open the curtain any further, Chris." Dartz warned, "and it's time to discuss etiquette."

Iona pulled Chris across and sat her in front of Dartz, one arm around her.

"Ok. When a subject speaks to me, you remain silent. When..."

"Why?" Chris pulled her teddy's ear.

Dartz stared, uncomprehending of why she must ask this, "Secondly," he continued with warning in his eyes, "You only speak when you are asked and I have given permission."

Chris kicked her legs, "but daddy, why?"

Dartz gritted his teeth.

Iona shuffled forward, "Chris perhaps doesn't understand, because she had never been to a hearing, or on a visit before."

Dartz turned violently, "You're blaming this on me now?"

"Darling, no." Iona soothed, "I'm explaining to you both. You've never been her king before, You've always been her daddy."

"I still am!"

Iona put her hand on his, "I'll keep her with me."

The chariot stopped and the door was pulled open. Chris made a dash for the door as Dartz made a grab for her.

"Chris, daddy's got to get out first, or the people might be confused." Iona stroked her hair.

Dartz stepped out fiercely. He looked both ways and held his hand out to wave at the crowd. Many stared in awe. He turned around and reached for Iona's hand.

In the chariot behind, his father looked down disapprovingly at him. He had been a stern king, and a stern father.

Iona stepped out and smiled graciously at the crowds, She was popular with the people. They had gathered at her arrival to Atlantis when she had first arrived. There was even a mutter of applause.

Dartz was looking at the crowd, taking in their mood.

"Daddy!" Chris hissed, "lift me down!"

Dartz shot her a glare, "Step... out..." he mouthed taking her hand. He sensed the people's excitement growing, they had not seen Chris before.

"But Daddy!"She complained louder.

He dragged her forward and she stumbled slightly. Dartz winced as her eyes filled with sadness.

"Chris, Chris." He stood her on her feet. Iona had the crowd's attention at that point, "I need you not to cry, and be Daddy's brave girl. Can you do that for me?"

She nodded.

Dartz took the teddy from her hands and put it under the chair. His father stood nearer to the crowd now, watching him.

He was going to have to lift her. He had never been lifted by his father. He was going to have to break tradition.

"Ok, arms round my neck Chris." Dartz began to lift her out, "But just smile and stand with mummy, OK?"

Chris nodded, and held her father tightly as he put her down.

A delighted gasp came from the audience, as Chris smiled shyly at them. He pushed her towards Iona and she pulled her close. Dartz smiled at Iona apologetically.

"So you have come." The tall man smiled, "my name is Cranzoak. I am the leader of this town, my liege."

"Show me the temple." Dartz started forward.

As they walked, his father fell in beside him, "Dartz. I hope I haven't made a mistake."

Dartz carried on forward determined.

"The people have no idea who you are." Ironheart strolled by, also keeping stony faced.

Dartz remained silent.

"So. You don't have the finances to rebuild them temples? What have you done with the savings?"

Dartz walked forward, trying to outrun his father.

"Dartz. Did I make a mistake? Are you managing? Chris doesn't seem prepared for you to be a king. And I'm not sure you are prepared yourself." Ironheart looked at him now.

"I'm fine. I'm managing. The kingdom is doing well. We have new ports to trade with an..."

"But have you considered..."

The line stopped.

"We're here, sire." Cranzoak turned and held his hand towards a circular green light.

Dartz signalled for his family to stand back. He stepped forward and looked down it.

"Don't look down too long, my liege, it has already harmed some."

"What do you mean?"

"Bring forward the priest." Cranzoak stepped aside, allowing an old, hooded man to step forward. He moved on to the symbol.

"What's wrong with you, sir?" Dartz bellowed across.

"Wrong? There's nothing wrong." His voice appeared to drift on the wind.

"Why have you been brought forward then?"

"Purely to demonstrate the power of this. The Orichalcos." The priest lifted his hands and began to sign runes with his hands.

"This man," Cranzoak turned to Dartz, "Used to be the greatest follower of G'dhar in all of Atlantis. But as you can see."

A bright light shone from the centre of the star. Dartz shielded his eyes, taking the chance to look at his wife and daughter. Iona stood carefully watching, holding tight to Chris's hand.

The light shone back down, the star of the Orichalcos glowing brighter for a split second.

"Is it gone, Mummy?" Chris whispered.

"Yes, it's gone. But hush, we don't want to upset daddy, do we?" Iona squeezed Chris's hand, resting her other hand on her stomach.

She saw Dartz talking to Cranzoak. She also saw Ironheart standing perfectly still. He had not turned away when the light had blinded the rest.

A slight shuffle appeared in the left of the crowd, as if something was moving towards the front. Nearer to the Orichalcos symbol. Nearer to Dartz.

"Chris." Iona bent down to her level, "Stand with Grandpapa."

"But he's mean."

"Do as mummy asks and make daddy proud, hmm?" She pushed her lightly towards Dartz's father and moved herself closer to the crowd, the shuffle was still moving, and a faint green glow shone through the gaps between people. Iona moved herself forwards. Dartz was talking to the priest who was holding a bright white sword in front of him, the new symbol upon his forehead.

She was nearing the front now, Dartz was speaking, the light was moving fast, inches from her husband.

Iona ran.

She met the movement with force, slinging the man out of the way of Dartz on to the Orichalcos symbol. Dartz was knocked to the right by her rebound force. He turned his head and stared at her, as a general mutter of concern went out around the crowd.

"Iona, what are you doing?" Dartz turned again moving towards her.

"He was going to..."

She felt a great force, a hand entwined in her hair. She was pulled back by the man, his green Orichalcos stone now glowing violently and held tight. She felt a force, unlike anything human surge through her as she was thrown on to the green star.

"Mummy!" Chris called.

Dartz pushed her backwards and made a leap for Iona finding himself savagely gripped by his guard.

"Unhand me!" He screamed, but three men had descended upon the attacker, and two of the maids had rushed to help Iona.

Dartz seethed. He should have been there. He should have helped her. His guards had not let him go. He pushed them off, gazing at Iona. Her eyes were closed.

He felt the mob getting impatient. An agitation was growing amongst them.

"We're leaving." Dartz muttered to the guards as he walked out from the crowd, grabbing Chris's hand roughly as he did.

"Dartz." Ironheart's voice bounced over everyone else's, "You can't be this cowardly. She was not in any real danger. Do you think risking your life as well as hers was sensible? Leaving a four year old female heir?" Ironheart paused and stood his ground, "Be a man, Dartz, be a king, and come back here to discuss the Orichalcos. It may prove useful."

Dartz turned, dragging Chris behind him, "If you're so obsessed with it, find out for yourself. I shall not risk my family."

"You were always taught to put your kingdom first. And putting your kingdom first is exactly what you shall do."

"And that's why Mother isn't here."

Ironheart froze, his eyes narrowing, "It has always been my rule Dartz. It made no difference whether you were eight, or now. You never mention that again."

Dartz shook his head and swirled his cloak. "She is too precious." He said as he picked Chris up in his arms, and carried her to the chariot.

Iona lay inside the chariot, attended by the two maids, speaking in hushed voices. It abruptly stopped as Dartz approached the door.

"Move out of the chariot." Dartz commanded putting Chris inside, "I shall not travel with servants."

They looked at each other, "Sire," one began, "The physician told us to stay with her."

An older man rushed up, "Sire, she must be accompanied by my healing women. It is the utmost..."

"All right." Dartz snapped, "If she must."

He moved over to his Father's carriage, hoping to find it empty. Ironheart sat there with an stony expression carved in to his face.

"Get in Dartz." His father ordered.

"I thought you'd abdicated." Dartz muttered as he ducked to move in.

Ironheart chose to ignore the last comment.

"Drive on." He commanded, and sat back to look Dartz in the eyes. Either side of him were two soldiers. Two that had restrained him from helping Iona.

"I demand to know why you restrained me against my will." Dartz commanded, taking his position as king.

"Don't be a fool, Dartz. I told them to." Ironheart remained focussed.

"You should have protected Chris."

Ironheart laughed, "She's a potential heir. You're the king, Dartz. You die, four year old Queen, she dies, you can produce another heir, or is that too much to ask."

Dartz glowered in disbelief, "Chris can be Queen. Why should Atlantis not have a queen?"

"Atlantis has never had a Queen. Besides, we need to be sure about... Succession." Ironheart tapped his fingers, "After all. She doesn't exactly look like you."

Dartz shot his glance up at him, "What exactly are you implying?"

"You have blue hair, and blue eyes Dartz. She has mousy brown hair, and oak brown eyes. Doesn't take a genius to work out that..."

"You had brown hair, father." Dartz scoffed.

"Don't call me father Dartz. I don't like it. I'm more of an advisor. I don't want to get messed up in this. And don't think I haven't considered that. But you have my nose. What of yours does Chris have?"

Dartz began to shake slightly with anger, "I know that Chris is my daughter."

"Please Dartz." His father scoffed, "Did anyone ever even tell you how to reproduce? Or are you infertile?" Ironheart paused, "She happened within the first year of marriage. You'd never met Iona before the wedding day. I wouldn't be surprised if Chris isn't the captain of the Queen's guard's. He used to accomp..."

"I'm not standing for this." Dartz stood up and opened the chariot door, leaping out of it. He looked around. He was surrounded by mountains, with his household train following behind. He stopped the royal carriage and got in.

The rest of the journey was a deathly silence.

Dartz expressed for the royal bedroom to be prepared. His father had created a format in which the King had two different bedrooms, and only one was shared with his wife. That was the royal bedroom. He much preferred that room. It had a view out to the ocean, where the fabulous Atlantean creatures would leap. Iona liked it to. It was one of the few places they could talk without being disturbed, although Dartz believed people listened at the doors.

He spent the rest of the day in meetings with priests, locals, new followers, architects and advisors, all with different opinions. He couldn't help but not listen. He thought about Iona, She had been unconscious for the journey back up.

Dartz vowed in his mind never to let Iona or Chris out of the palace again.

The bells were striking the tenth hour when Dartz made his way up to his room. He pushed open the door and looked in to the room.

Iona stood by the window, in a sheer, purple night gown hanging loosely off her shoulders. She turned and Dartz saw how pale her face looked.

"How were the meetings?" Iona smiled, still leaning on the window sill.

"I didn't really listen."

"Don't tell your father that! He might take his kingdom back!" She smiled and pushed her way shakily towards him.

"You look weak." He murmured catching her hand.

"I feel like all the energy's drained out of me." She laughed slightly, and leaned her head against his chest, listening to his heart beat. "Do you remember our wedding?"

Dartz nodded, "Father was questioning me about it today..."

"It's taken him five years?" She sat down on the edge of the bed and laughed.

Dartz sat next to her and held her hand, "I'm sorry about earlier."

Iona didn't appear to hear him, "I'd never seen you before then, I was petrified! I'd been prepared to meet my strong husband, what I should say, what I should do."

Dartz turned his head away, "I'd just been told I must marry and I must produce an heir! Nobody told me how!"

Iona laughed and leaned on his shoulder, "I remember, you didn't even know how to kiss me!"

Dartz chewed his lip, his father's words echoing.

"How did you know so much then?"

Iona looked at him, "I'd been told. My mother took my sisters and I and told us what marriage was about. Except she told us we wouldn't be in love. She was wrong about that."

Dartz stood up and walked over to the window and stared out, "How long had you known that man? The captain of the queen's guard?"

Iona's smile faded, "he was introduced to me at the dock, when I was boarding my boat to Atlantis."

Dartz looked at her, his heart aching. He wanted to ask her. His fingers twitched lightly under the long sleeves of his robe.

"Iona. Please tell me..." His voices faded off and he looked away ashamed. He couldn't ask her.

"Dartz." She stood up, "I've only ever loved you."

"You were never given the choice of loving anyone else" he muttered, "Given the option I'd be the last person you'd want to be with..."

"Dartz, I have always been faithful, and actually... I hope you know that isn't true." she moved carefully towards him.

Dartz turned away heavily, putting his weight on the window frame.

"Dartz" her voice was breaking, "Dartz, look at me. Dartz!"

He turned, eyes fierce.

"Why would I lie to you? I love you!" She rested her hand lightly on his upper arm, wiping a tear away with her other one, "Look at you, you're crying too." She reached her hand up and stroked his face lightly.

Dartz smiled a little at her, "Why did you try and kill yourself today then?"

"I didn't. I wanted to save you, and actually, if I hadn't had done that, that man may have killed you."

Dartz's smile faded, "He was about to kill you! You should have told the guard!" His voice rose.

"The guard," Iona soothed, "Had been told. He was on alert. He wasn't going to do anything because your father told him not to. He was testing you. But I am you. We're one. I was looking out for you."

"You're a woman." Dartz pushed past her to his wardrobe, taking off his tunic.

"I'm your wife. I'm the mother of your child. I'm more than just a woman! I saved you." She stared at him.

He turned back round to her and glared, "Just don't do it again. I can't lose you."

"And I can't lose you. If you die, I'm more than likely to die with you. So let me protect you." Iona sat down, "We work together."

Dartz tied the top of his waist wrap. He looked at her beauty, shining in the moonlight. He took off his diamante circlet and hung the chain on the wardrobe door. "Thank you."

She smiled, "It was my pleasure."

They both laughed a little.

"Aren't you cold without your shirt?" She walked forward and took her own woollen wrap off and flung it round his shoulders.

"I'm alright." He pushed it off himself and put it back round her. He turned her round in his arm and they stepped towards the window, looking out at the dim city.

"You've made a beautiful kingdom, Dartz." She whispered, leaning in to his chest, "You run it better than your father."

"No I don't." Dartz scoffed and turned away, walking towards the bed.

She had lost him. He could only ever be intimate in seconds. But she loved him.

"Dartz." She stepped forward.

"What?"

"Whatever your father has been..."

"He's not said anything to concern you." He glared again, piercing her heart.

"Alright, but..."

"Come to bed, Iona."

"No. I need to talk to yo.."

"Iona." Dartz warned, looking at her fiercely.

"Dartz!"

"Do you listen?" He marched towards her, "No! You don't! I just want to sleep now. I don't want to..." His voice was rising louder and louder.

"Dartz," She caught his wrist lightly but pleadingly.

"What?!" He wrenched himself away from her throwing her bodily in to the wall.

Iona made very little complaint, as she slid down the wall in to a crumpled heap at the bottom. She rubbed her shoulder lightly and stared at the floor.

Dartz stared.

"You don't know your own strength, Dartz. You're too impatient." Iona's voice wobbled as she clutched at the curtain to help herself up, "You have never hurt me before. Not like that."

Dartz breathed heavily, looking at her.

She looked down at the floor, "What do you want, my lord?"

"Iona don't." Dartz clutched her hand, as she continued to look down, "What were you trying to say?"

"I wish it wasn't important. Then you wouldn't ..." She trailed off, wiping her eye.

"Iona, please, I didn't mean for you to..."

"Dartz." She looked up, a single tear running down her face. She brought his hand towards her stomach, and clasped it gently, "I'm almost certain I'm pregnant."

The silence in the room was beautiful, but cracked.

The wind blew the curtain lightly and a cool breeze blew around the room, causing Dartz's hair to blow around his shoulders.

"How long..."

"Three months, I think." She whispered.

Dartz smiled lightly and looked her in the eyes, "I'm so sorry, Iona."

Iona moved herself into his arm, "I know."

They lay in bed that night, Dartz's head leant against Iona's stomach. She stroked His hair lightly, and they fell asleep, the wind still sending the curtain swilling round the inside of the window.